The Everglades is a seasonally flooded marshy river that moves fresh floodwater from Lake Okeechobee to the coast, where it drains. The river through which the large volume of water must flow is a large and fragile ecosystem unlike any other. Certain species of flora and fauna have adapted to survival in the ebb and flow of the Everglades and conservationists work energetically to control the commercial growth that threatens the ecosystem. Most images of the Everglades show people gliding on airboats along stretches of flooded saw grass, but it's much more important than just an exciting ride for tourists. It's a unique geographic ecosystem.
Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green invented the first suntan cream in 1944. Old Christ Church, an Episcopal church in downtown Pensacola's historic Seville Square, is Florida's oldest church (1832). The world's first commercial airline flight occurred in Florida in 1914 between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Florida's state beverage is Orange Juice and is served daily at four Official Florida Welcome Centers. St. Petersburg/Clearwater claims to have 361 days of sunshine annually. The art deco district in Miami is home to the largest concentration of art deco architecture in the world. Pensacola's nickname is the "City of Five Flags" because throughout its history it has been under the rule of the Spanish, French, English, Americans and Confederates. Manatee County in southwest Florida is named for the gentle, slow-moving marine mammal once thought by sailors to be mermaids.
In 1937, Amelia Earhart took off from Miami for an around-the-world flight and was never seen again. There are 13,983,816 ways to combine six of those bouncing Florida lottery balls. More than 100 episodes of Sea Hunt starring Lloyd Bridges were filmed at Silver Springs between 1958 and 1961. A crypt in Key West is inscribed "I told you I was sick". The actress, Delta Burke, represented Orlando and became Miss Florida in 1974. Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, is known as the "Father of Florida Tourism."
Juan Ponce de Leon came ashore on the northeast coast of Florida sometime between April 2 and April 8, 1513. He called the area la Florida, in honor of Pascua Florida ("feast of the flowers"), a popular celebration held in Spain around Easter. Florida has had six Constitutions since it became a state. The first Constitution was drafted in Saint Joseph, now known as Port St. Joe. Presently Florida is governed by the Constitution of 1968, as subsequently amended. The total land area of Florida is 54,252 square miles. The total interior water area is 4,308 square miles but that figure may change with every new community built with an artificial lake. Florida has been home to such famed writers as Ernest Hemingway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Tennessee Williams.
Islamorada, in the Florida Keys, was named for the Spanish word meaning "purple island". Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had neighboring winter homes in Fort Myers. Venice, in southwest Florida, is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. The nation's smallest post office is located in Ochopee, Florida near Naples. Florida is home to the largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators football team, where the drink was first developed. Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, holds the Guinness record for the world's largest Strawberry Shortcake. It was 827 square-feet and 6,000 pounds. Ten Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to writers who lived on Key West, including Ernest Hemingway.
Islamorada is billed as the Sports fishing Capital of the World. Key Largo is known as the Dive Capital of the World, Marathon is home to Crane Point Hammock, a 63.5-acre land tract that is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. The area contains evidence of pre-Colombian and prehistoric Bahamian artifacts, and once was the site of an entire Indian village. Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West was built between 1845 and 1866. Controlled by the Union during the Civil War, the fort was the home base for a successful blockade of Confederate ships that some historians say shortened the conflict by a full year. The fort also was active during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Florida. It's not just a destination. It's a whole new way of life. Come join the fun in the sun.
Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green invented the first suntan cream in 1944. Old Christ Church, an Episcopal church in downtown Pensacola's historic Seville Square, is Florida's oldest church (1832). The world's first commercial airline flight occurred in Florida in 1914 between Tampa and St. Petersburg. Florida's state beverage is Orange Juice and is served daily at four Official Florida Welcome Centers. St. Petersburg/Clearwater claims to have 361 days of sunshine annually. The art deco district in Miami is home to the largest concentration of art deco architecture in the world. Pensacola's nickname is the "City of Five Flags" because throughout its history it has been under the rule of the Spanish, French, English, Americans and Confederates. Manatee County in southwest Florida is named for the gentle, slow-moving marine mammal once thought by sailors to be mermaids.
In 1937, Amelia Earhart took off from Miami for an around-the-world flight and was never seen again. There are 13,983,816 ways to combine six of those bouncing Florida lottery balls. More than 100 episodes of Sea Hunt starring Lloyd Bridges were filmed at Silver Springs between 1958 and 1961. A crypt in Key West is inscribed "I told you I was sick". The actress, Delta Burke, represented Orlando and became Miss Florida in 1974. Dick Pope, founder of Cypress Gardens, is known as the "Father of Florida Tourism."
Juan Ponce de Leon came ashore on the northeast coast of Florida sometime between April 2 and April 8, 1513. He called the area la Florida, in honor of Pascua Florida ("feast of the flowers"), a popular celebration held in Spain around Easter. Florida has had six Constitutions since it became a state. The first Constitution was drafted in Saint Joseph, now known as Port St. Joe. Presently Florida is governed by the Constitution of 1968, as subsequently amended. The total land area of Florida is 54,252 square miles. The total interior water area is 4,308 square miles but that figure may change with every new community built with an artificial lake. Florida has been home to such famed writers as Ernest Hemingway, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Tennessee Williams.
Islamorada, in the Florida Keys, was named for the Spanish word meaning "purple island". Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had neighboring winter homes in Fort Myers. Venice, in southwest Florida, is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. The nation's smallest post office is located in Ochopee, Florida near Naples. Florida is home to the largest breeding population of bald eagles in the lower 48 states. Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators football team, where the drink was first developed. Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, holds the Guinness record for the world's largest Strawberry Shortcake. It was 827 square-feet and 6,000 pounds. Ten Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to writers who lived on Key West, including Ernest Hemingway.
Islamorada is billed as the Sports fishing Capital of the World. Key Largo is known as the Dive Capital of the World, Marathon is home to Crane Point Hammock, a 63.5-acre land tract that is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. The area contains evidence of pre-Colombian and prehistoric Bahamian artifacts, and once was the site of an entire Indian village. Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West was built between 1845 and 1866. Controlled by the Union during the Civil War, the fort was the home base for a successful blockade of Confederate ships that some historians say shortened the conflict by a full year. The fort also was active during the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II. Florida. It's not just a destination. It's a whole new way of life. Come join the fun in the sun.
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