Welcome to FLORIDA

Called the "Sunshine State," Florida is known for its balmy, sunny weather and beautiful beaches. Ponce de Leon, in search of the elusive fountain of youth, was the first European to explore Florida. St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States. Statehood for Florida came in 1845. Florida's state flower is the orange blossom, which is particularly fitting because oranges are a main export of the state. Because of its shape and location, a long peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida attracts millions of visitors each year to its many seaside resort areas. Its capital is Tallahassee. ...Read more here: Florida - The Sunshine State

Capital City:

Tallahassee

Nickname:

Sunshine State / Peninsula State

Motto:

In God We Trust

Statehood:

March 3, 1845 (27th)

Origin of State's Name:

Named on Easter 1513 by Ponce de Leon for Pascua Florida, meaning "Flowery Easter."

Largest Cities:

Jacksonville , Miami , Tampa , Saint Petersburg , Hialeah

Border States:

Alabama , Georgia

Land Area:

53,997 sq. mi., 26th largest

State Bird:

Mockingbird

State Flower:

Orange blossom (citrus sinensis)

State Tree:

Sabal Palmetto (cabbage palmetto)

State Song:

Suwannee River