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Florida: An Overview

Introduction

Florida is famous for its pleasant climate, attractive scenery, welcoming people and wealth of attractions for all ages and interests. Little wonder, then, that it ranks not only as the most popular long-haul holiday destination for British holidaymakers but also as the world’s top travel destination.

Many British people have already bought second homes in Florida. In fact, although the USA is more than twice the size of Europe, most UK property investors buying there do so in the Sunshine State. The areas around Orlando and Disney World have been, traditionally, the most popular. Other favoured locations include the southeast (Atlantic) coast from Palm Beach to the Florida Keys, and resorts on the southwest (Gulf) coast, like Naples and Venice.

Geography

Most of Florida is situated on a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the south-eastern corner of the US, its coastline indented with estuaries, bays, inlets, lagoons and rivers, including the famous Suannee. In the south, the peninsula ends in an arc of islands resting on coral reefs, known as the Florida Keys, accessed via a highway ending in Key West, the southernmost point of the US.

Florida is made up of three land areas, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the East Gulf Coastal Plain and the Florida Uplands. Much of the state is flat, though the uplands, as their name implies, are characterised by low rolling hills. Florida’s highest point, Britton Hill, is only 105m above sea level.

Climate and weather

Florida lives up to its nickname of the Sunshine State, with an average of 300 days’ full sunshine per year. However, it also has the highest average precipitation of any US state, largely owing to afternoon thunderstorms, often very dramatic, which are common throughout most of Florida from late spring to early autumn.

In July, temperatures are generally around 32–35 degrees Celsius. In January, they range from 4–7 degrees Celsius in northern Florida to around 13 degrees in the south, but cold fronts can occasionally bring high winds and low temperatures to the whole state during late autumn and winter.

The hurricane season is between June and November. It is essential to budget for hurricane insurance when buying a home in Florida.

History

Juan Ponce de Leon officially ‘discovered’ Florida in 1513, although archaeological finds indicate that it had been inhabited for many thousands of years before his arrival. He is believed to have landed near present-day St Augustine, and claimed Florida for Spain. The first permanent European settlement was established in St Augustine by Spain in 1565, making it the US’s oldest city.

Florida became a US Territory in 1821, and General Andrew Jackson then served as military governor until Congress approved a territorial constitution. William P Duval, Florida\'s first civil governor, called the first Legislative Council into session in Pensacola on 19 June 1823.

Florida was admitted to the US in 1845, as the 27th state. Its capital is Tallahassee.

More pages

Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Culture
Page 3: Shopping
Page 4: Getting there

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