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FLORIDA FACTS
GUARANTEED TO IMPRESS YOUR NEIGHBORS
POPULATION
EXPLOSION: Florida
is now the forth most populated state in the United States, with a
whopping 13.4 million residents. And that figure is growing every
day. Many Florida cities are consistently among the fastest growing
in the nation!
STATE
REPTILE: The
Florida state reptile sure has a lot of BIG teeth! The alligator was
designated the state reptile by the 1987 Florida Legislature. The
Legislature has also made feeding one of these cute little creatures
a crime punishable by fine and imprisonment. So look, but don't feed
-- and definitely don't touch!
LARGEST
INDUSTRY: A
full 20% of Florida's taxable sales is generated from our 40 plus
million visitors, accounting for over two billion dollars in taxes
we don't have to pay. Our tourist friends also generate well over
one half a million jobs. So the next time you see a tourist, give 'em
a big smile. They really are helping to keep your taxes lower!
BIGGEST
ATTRACTION: No,
it's not Disney World -- miles and miles of beautiful sandy beaches
are Florida's biggest attraction. We have more than 8,000 miles of
shoreline, more than any other state, with the exception of Alaska.
So, unless you are a seal, this is the place to be if you love the
beach!
TOP RESOURCE: You
guessed it -- the SUN! Summers here average about 83 degrees, and
winters average about 69 degrees. The unofficial Florida native
slogan is: "Oh, no -- it's another beautiful day!"
LATE ARRIVAL: Geologists
say that Florida was the last continental U.S. land mass to emerge
from the ocean. And what emerged is a peninsula that contains 10,000
lakes, 300 springs (27 of the "first magnitude"), 166 rivers
(including its longest, "The Suwannee River") and more sun-soaked
beaches than any other part of the continental United States. Sure
is a nice place to be, isn't it?
FAVORITE
PASTIMES: With
over 1,000 golf courses, Florida has more golf courses than any
other state. And, because of Florida's climate, golfing here can be
a year-round pastime! However, if gambling is your sport, you can
enjoy Florida's many pari-mutuel facilities, which include: 18
greyhound racing tracks, 12 jai-alai frontons, 4 thoroughbred racing
tracks, and 4 horse racing tracks. Each year more than 5 million
people camp in Florida. Of course, you'll spend lots of time at the
beach -- most Floridians do. There is no Florida resident or visitor
who is more than 60 miles from a beach. If you like to watch sports,
there are national football, basketball and baseball teams located
throughout the state. So enjoy!
LATE SUNSETS: Ever
wonder why the sun sets later in Florida than it does for your
friends in the Northeast? Well, it's not just because we are further
south. It is also because we are further west -- a lot further. MORE OFFICIAL "THINGS": The Florida Legislature has designated many resources as official state "things." The state saltwater mammal is the manatee, an 8 to 14 foot, gray, waterplant-eating, gentle giant that can weigh up to a ton, and whose principle habitat in the United States is Florida; the state saltwater fish is the sailfish; the state freshwater fish is the Florida largemouth bass; the state shell is the horse conch (also known as the giant band shell); the state tree is the sabal palm; the state animal is the Florida panther; the state beverage is (can you believe it?) orange juice; the state flower is (yup!) the orange blossom; the state stone is the agatized coral; the state song is "Old Folks at Home" (also known as "Suwannee River"); and the state nickname is (you guessed it) "The Sunshine State!" Oh yes, the state capital is Tallahassee. Why Tallahassee? Tallahassee was a compromise between groups interested in Pensacola in west Florida and St. Augustine in east Florida.
1905 North Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers, Florida 33903 || Phone: 1-800-995-7005 |