The state of Florida has been nicknamed the “Sunshine State” because of its large number of sunny days. It’s also called the “Peninsula State” because it jets southward about 400 miles into the sea. Florida is one of the leading tourist states in the nation. This land of swaying palm trees and warm ocean breezes attracts visitors the year round, and many older people spend their retirement years in this state. In fact, the population of Florida, which is now approximately 23 million people, is growing faster than all but a few states. Its industries are also expanding, especially in food processing.
Florida produces about three-fourths of the nation’s oranges and grapefruit and almost all of the frozen juice processed in the United States is processed in Florida. Florida is the Southeastern most state in the nation. It is bordered on the north by Georgia and Alabama, on the west by the southern tip of Alabama and the Gulf of Mexico, on the south by the Gulf and the Florida Straits, and on the east by the Atlantic Ocean. The state consists of 67 counties, and they occupy 58,560 square miles of land area, ranking it 22nd in size in our nation. The largest cities, important trade, industrial and vacation centers are Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Orlando and Hollywood.
Florida achieved statehood on March 3, 1845, as the 27th state, but seceded from the union in 1861 to join the Southern Confederacy during the Civil War. The state was re-admitted to the union in 1868. The word Florida is a Spanish word that means “full of flowers,” and the region was named by Ponce DeLeon, the Spanish explorer who searched for the Fountain of Youth. In 1565, the Spaniards established St. Augustine, the first permanent white settlement in what became the United States. Today the Spanish influence is still very much a part of the life and culture of this state.
The state flower is the Orange Blossom, the State Tree is the Sabal Palm, the State Bird is the Mockingbird, and the official state motto is “In God We Trust,” the same words that can be found on American currency. Some outstanding attractions in Florida are Cape Canaveral, Walt Disney World, Cypress Gardens, Sea World, The Everglades, the many beautiful beaches, and so much more.
Yes, Florida is truly a unique state. The only reason I would not want to live in this beautiful state is the large number of hurricanes they have each year. As a positive person, I am not going to intentionally discourage someone from moving to Florida, but just be aware of the possibilities and keep your eyes open and your options on the table. Personally, as a retired person who was considering moving to the Sunshine State, why not move in a beautiful travel trailer that could be moved on a moment’s notice.
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(Jim Davidson is an author, public speaker, syndicated columnist, and Founder of the Bookcase for Every Child project. For a personalized copy of “Keep Your Fork” send $25, which includes postage and handling and tax, to Jim Davidson, 2 Bentley Drive, Conway, AR 72034.)