There's something relentlessly optimistic about
Florida. Florida's nickname, "the Sunshine State," says it all.
Ponce De Leon first introduced Europeans to the state; at the time he was
sure that the key to everlasting youth was somewhere in Florida's swamps.
Visitors to Florida in the late 19th and 20th centuries were equally sure
Florida would provide a warm, beach respite from the winters up North. Today,
people from every walk of life land in Florida, positive that whatever they're
looking for can be found between the state's Spanish accented urban areas
and rural orange groves.
It hardly matters who you are or where you're
from. Young families with younger children flock to central Florida's ring
of theme parks, around Orlando, from all over the world just to escape from
it all; "it all" being reality. Florida's a magnet for older Americans
as well. With January highs in the 70s and a low cost of living, Florida's
master planned communities are a different sort of Disney World. In fact Florida's
appeal is so magnetic, the tourist-friendly state gets its share of unwanted
visitors each year; hurricanes, often more than one a season.
Now that you're moving to Florida, there are
a couple facts you'll want to keep in mind:
- The population of Florida is 15,982,378. Florida's capital is Tallahassee.
- Looking at a map, Florida seems pretty far south. But Florida isn't the
southernmost U.S. state - Hawaii is.
- The popular sports drink Gatorade is named after the University of Florida
Gators, the team the drink was first developed for.
- The first ATM machine specifically designed for rollerbladers to use
while skating was installed in Miami, Florida.
- Clearwater, Florida has the highest rate of per capita rate of lightening
strikes of all U.S. cities.
- Bus trips and cruises are big business in Florida, but so is space travel.
America's space shuttles are launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida and
Titusville is known as "Space City, USA."
- In Key West, Florida chickens are classified as a "protected species."
And in Pensacola, it's illegal to be caught downtown without at least
$10 in your wallet.
Florida is the king of relaxation. The sun, the beach, the attractions; you;ll never get bored if you live in Florida. Here are several things I bet you didn't know you could do in Florida:
- Carrabelle, FL: Come visit this quaint Florida town and see if you can find the police station. You can't! That's because there is none. The police in Carrabelle gather outside around a phone booth, which is considered police headquarters, in the center of the town. This gives them a good view of all that is going on around them.
- "The Holy Land Experience": Everyone has heard of Universal Studios and Disney World. Well at the "Holy Land Experience" you can witness several life size biblical scenes that are acted out for your pleasure.
- The Parrot Mission: Here in Key Largo, one can visit dozens of parrots who have taken refuge in this bird sanctuary.