Florida (U.S. state)

Florida (U.S. state)
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Name	Florida
Nickname	Sunshine State
Motto	In God We Trust
Capital	Tallahassee
Largest city	Jacksonville
Admitted	March 3, 1845 (27th)
Population	21500000
Area total sq mi	65758
Timezone	Eastern, Central

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Florida (U.S. state)

Florida is a state located on the southeastern Atlantic coast of the United States, bordered by Alabama, Georgia (U.S. state), the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. Its economy and culture reflect influences from Spain, Britain, France, Cuba, Haiti, and Latin America, while its cities connect to national networks such as Interstate 95, Interstate 10, and Amtrak. Florida's population and land use have driven interactions with institutions like the University of Florida, Florida State University, NASA, and private corporations including Disney, Universal Studios, and Carnival Corporation & plc.

History

Indigenous peoples such as the Timucua, Calusa, Apalachee, Tequesta, and Seminole people inhabited the peninsula before contact with Europeans like Juan Ponce de León, Hernando de Soto, and explorers tied to the Spanish Empire. Florida was part of colonial contests involving Spanish Florida, French colonization of the Americas, and later British Florida following the Seven Years' War. The territory passed between powers through treaties such as the Adams–Onís Treaty and joined the United States after territorial governance under officials like Andrew Jackson; it became the 27th state in 1845. Florida was a Confederate state during the American Civil War and later experienced Reconstruction policies influenced by leaders tied to the Radical Republicans and opponents like Redeemers. In the 20th century, figures such as Henry Flagler and Henry B. Plant promoted railroad expansion, while events including the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 and the Hurricane Andrew season shaped development. Cold War and spaceflight endeavours centered on Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center under NASA; political milestones include contests involving politicians such as Claude R. Kirk Jr., Bob Graham, Reubin Askew, Jeb Bush, and the contested 2000 United States presidential election in Florida, 2000.

Florida's peninsula extends between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, including features like the Florida Keys, the Everglades National Park, and barrier islands such as Sanibel Island and Amelia Island. Major rivers include the St. Johns River, Suwannee River, and Peace River, while lakes like Lake Okeechobee influence regional hydrology. The state spans physiographic regions tied to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the Gulf Coastal Plain, with karst topography hosting the Silver Springs (Florida) system. Florida's climate ranges from humid subtropical in the north around Jacksonville and Tallahassee to tropical in southern areas like Miami and the Florida Keys, shaped by the Gulf Stream, El Niño–Southern Oscillation, and hurricane activity from the Atlantic hurricane season. Conservation concerns involve Everglades restoration, invasive species such as the Burmese python and lionfish, and water resource management linked to agencies like the South Florida Water Management District.

Florida's population includes diverse ancestry groups: long-standing communities of Cuban Americans in Miami, Haitian Americans in Palm Beach County, Puerto Rican Americans in Orlando, and Caribbean and Latin American diasporas across metropolitan areas like Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. Urban centers include Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and St. Petersburg, connected by metropolitan planning organizations and regional institutions such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Heat. Florida's demographic shifts involve migration from states such as New York (state), New Jersey, and Illinois (U.S. state), retirees from national networks including AARP, and international arrivals through ports like PortMiami and Port Everglades. Religious and cultural institutions include the Basilica of St. Augustine, St. Augustine (city), and diverse congregations from denominations like the Roman Catholic Church in the United States and faith communities with ties to the Episcopal Church (United States). Educational institutions include University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, and community colleges affiliated with the State University System of Florida.

Florida's economy encompasses tourism driven by destinations such as Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and the Florida Keys, agriculture producing commodities like citrus historically tied to companies such as Dole Food Company, and trade through ports including Port of Tampa Bay and PortMiami. Aerospace and defense sectors centered on Kennedy Space Center and contractors such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin interface with federal programs like NASA. Finance and insurance hubs in Jacksonville and Miami involve firms connected to the New York Stock Exchange and multinational banks with Latin American operations. Real estate and construction boomed in eras marked by developers like Carl Fisher and were influenced by events such as the 2007–2008 financial crisis. Energy and environmental industries intersect through projects with the Florida Power & Light Company and conservation financing linked to the Florida Forever program.

Florida's state government operates under the Constitution of Florida, with a governor and a legislature composed of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives. Presidential elections in Florida have been pivotal, highlighted by the United States presidential election in Florida, 2000 and campaigns involving presidents such as Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. Prominent statewide offices have been held by figures like Lawton Chiles, Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist, and Rick Scott. Legal and judicial matters proceed through the Florida Supreme Court and federal circuits such as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Policy debates frequently involve redistricting litigated under standards from the United States Supreme Court and federal statutes like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in historical context.

Florida's cultural scene blends influences from Cuban Art Museum, Little Havana, St. Augustine (city), and festivals such as Art Basel Miami Beach and the Tampa Bay Comic Con. Sporting franchises including the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Orlando City SC contribute to civic identity alongside events like the Daytona 500 and the Orange Bowl. Musical and literary ties link to artists associated with Miami Bass, Pablo Cruise, and writers connected to Ernest Hemingway (whose home is in Key West). Culinary tourism features Cuban cuisine in Little Havana, seafood traditions in Key West, and citrus products marketed by entities such as the Florida Citrus Commission.

Florida's transportation network includes major interstates Interstate 95, Interstate 4, and Interstate 75, rail services by Amtrak and commuter systems like SunRail and Tri-Rail, and airports such as Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport, and Tampa International Airport. Maritime infrastructure comprises cruise terminals at PortMiami and PortCanaveral, cargo ports like Port Everglades and the Port of Jacksonville, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Energy and utilities are provided by firms including Florida Power & Light Company and regulated by state bodies working with federal agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.