The Sunshine State The Alligator State The Everglade State The Orange State The Flower State The Peninsula State The Gulf State       Florida was named by Ponce de Leon in 1512. "la Florida," he called this land, Spanish for flowery, covered with flowers, or abounding in flowers. Historians favor the idea that Ponce de Leon named the state because he discovered it on Easter or Palm Sunday. Others don’t discount this theory, but impress upon us that the full flush of spring was on the area and the abundance of flowers in bloom and the "fragrant and delicious odors" certainly played a role.     Florida was the 27th state in the USA; it was admitted on March 3, 1845.

About Florida

Of interest for visitors

Total Area : 65,754 sq miles                      (170 304 sq Km) Population : 17,397,000 Beaches  : 663 miles Longest River : St. Johns, 273 miles Largest Lake : Lake Okeechobee, 700 sq miles Official language : English Capital : Tallahassee Head of State: Jeb Bush

Credit Cards & ATMs : Visa (Barclaycard in Britain), MasterCard (EuroCard in Europe, Access in Britain, Chargex in Canada), American Express, Diners Club, and Discover. Visa : a valid passport that expires at least 6 months later than the scheduled end of their visit to the United States. Time : GMT/UTC less 5 hours (from UK) Electricity : 110V  ( click HERE to see plugs ) Mesures : imperial US ( yard, mile, foot, inch )

In 1987 the Florida legislature designated the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) as the official state reptile. Long an unofficial symbol of the state, the alligator originally symbolized Florida’s extensive untamed wilderness and swamps. Alligators are found throughout Florida and in parts of other southeastern states. They prefer lakes, swamps, canals, and other wetland habitats.

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