THE SUNSHINE STATE

Enjoy this collection of facts, fun trivia and things you should know about Florida!

Florida has the longest coastline (1,197 statute miles) in the contiguous United States, with 825 miles of accessible beaches to enjoy. It’s the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Wherever you are in Florida, you’re never more than 60 miles from the nearest body of salt water.

The first suntan lotion was invented by Benjamin Green in Miami Beach in 1944.

Florida is Ranked as the Number 1 State for Education by U.S. News & World Report. 

Florida is the flattest state in the country. When you think of flat states, you probably think of Kansas or Nebraska. But those states are practically mountainous compared to Florida! Florida’s mean elevation is 100 feet, and its highest point is Britton Hill with an elevation of only 345 feet — the lowest high point in any state.

Florida was under water until 23 million years ago. After Florida split from Pangea with the rest of North America about 200 million years ago, it became flooded when the glaciers melted and raised the sea level. It stayed under the Atlantic Ocean for hundreds of millions of years until the glaciers formed again. Then parts of Florida began to emerge as dry land.

The first European contact by Juan Ponce de Leon called our state la Florida, or “land of flowers.”

Spain had control of Florida from de León’s discovery until the end of the Seven Years War. When Britain defeated Spain in the war, it took control of Havana, Cuba. Britain then gave Havana back in exchange for Florida. Florida was then under British control until the end of the American Revolution in 1783.

Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the country.

A woman founded Miami. Julia Tuttle, a local citrus grower, was the original owner of the land upon which Miami was built.

Florida is the only place on earth where alligators and crocodiles co-exist in the same habitat.

Florida has the largest city in the contiguous United States. Outside Alaska, Florida has the city with the largest area: Jacksonville, at 747 square miles. It’s almost 300 square miles larger than Los Angeles, California, and nearly twice as big as Indianapolis, Indiana. Jacksonville has one of the highest populations in the United States as well, as over 821,000 people call the huge city home.

Gatorade was invented in Florida. Ever wonder how Gatorade^® got its unique name? Florida Gators football coach Ray Graves needed a sports drink that would replace his team’s body fluids after practices and games. The first version of Gatorade^® (or “Gator-Aid,” as it was originally called) was developed in 1965. Other teams were impressed with the Gators’ performance on the football field, and the sports drink became popular all over the country.

Key West has the most bars per capita than any other place in the country.

Florida produces 75% of the oranges in the US!

Florida panthers cannot roar, and instead make distinct sounds that include whistles, chirps, growls, hisses, and purrs.

Panthers are nocturnal animals that hunt at night. They hunt at night and spend the whole day sleeping in trees. 

Florida’s motto is “In God We Trust.” It was adopted by the Florida legislature as part of the state seal in 1868. 

Swimwear is the most sold item in Florida.

Florida has the most Art Deco buildings in the world, with most of them being in Miami Beach.

Florida has no income tax. Only 5 states in the U. S. have a lower total tax burden than Florida, including property taxes and sales taxes. One of the most interesting facts about Florida taxes is that the State of Florida constitution prohibits an income tax.

Florida residents get a reduction in their home’s assessed value for property tax purposes. Homeowners establish residency by getting a driver’s license, registering to vote and living in Florida for at least six months of the year.

The first scheduled airline passenger flight was in 1914 from St. Petersburg to Tampa across the bay.

There are no dinosaur fossils in Florida because it was underwater during the age of the dinosaurs.

Mullet. This fish was a staple of early Florida pioneers. Today it is celebrated in Perdido Key by the annual mullet tossing contest where you throw a dead fish over the Florida-Alabama state line.

Southernmost State. Florida’s status is marked in Key West at a point only 90 miles north of Havana, Cuba.

Ochopee Post Office. This tiny spot on Tamiami Trail between Naples and Miami has the world’s smallest post office at 61 square feet.

Carabelle. The world’s smallest police station is in this small town on the Gulf Coast.  It is a phone booth with “Police Department” written on the side.

Frank Lloyd Wright. Florida Southern College in Lakeland has the largest collection in the world of the famous architect’s buildings.  The collection of 13 functioning buildings is called “Child of the Sun.”

Amelia Island in northeast Florida has been governed by 8 different entities, more than any other place in the United States.

Hope you had fun! Maybe even learned something you did not know about the Sunshine State.