Higher Education  

Florida has over thirty private public and public universities and colleges, and thirty community colleges. The University of Florida at Gainesville is the largest institution of higher learning in the state. Other state institutions are Florida State University and Florida A & M, in Tallahassee; Florida Atlantic, in Boca Raton; Florida International, in North Miami; the University of Central Florida, in Orlando; the University of North Florida, in Jacksonsille; the University of South Florida, in Tampa; and the University of West Florida, in Pensacola. Private schools include the University of Miami, in Coral Gables; Florida Southern, in Lakeland; Rollins College, in Winter Park; Stetson University, in Deland; the University of Tampa; and Jacksonville University.

Geography

The state of Florida covers 140,098 square kilometers. In general, south Florida is flat, while the terrain in central and north Florida is rolling. Florida can be divided into six natural regions: the Coastal Lowlands, including the entire coast and the Florida Keys; the Western Highlands in the northwestern Florida panhandle; the Marianna Lowlands in the north-central part of the panhandle; the Tallahassee Hills region occupying part of the eastern panhandle; the Central Highlands occupying much of the central Florida peninsula; and the swamplands of the Big Cypress and the Everglades that together cover most of the southern tip of Florida. Florida's coastline on the Atlantic Ocean side stretches for 933 kilometers, while its coastline on the Gulf of Mexico side is 1,239 kilometers long. The St. John's, the Apalachicola, and the Suwannee are three of Florida's thirty-four major rivers. Florida's capital city is Tallahassee. The state's most populous cities are Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, and Orlando. More than 13 million people reside in Florida.

Climate

Florida has long, warm, and humid summers. Except for occasional cool or cold air from the north, winters are generally mild. Owing to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream current and prevailing southern winds, the southeast coast and the Florida Keys enjoy the warmest winters. In northern Florida, the average January temperature is 12° C and the average July temperature is 28° C. The average January temperature in southern Florida is 19° C, while the average July temperature is 28° C. Statewide, precipitation ranges from an annual average of 128 cm to 166 cm. Though relatively rare, hurricanes most commonly occur between June and October.

Cultural Profile

Florida's major symphonies include the Florida Orchestra of St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater; the Florida Symphony Orchestra of Orlando; the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra; and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida at Fort Lauderdale. Other performing arts groups in the state are the Greater Miami Opera; the Gainesville Civic Ballet; the Florida Ballet of Jacksonville; and the Southern Ballet Theater of Winter Park. Musicals and plays are staged at the Asolo State Theater in Sarasota; the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami; the Hippodrome Street Theater in Gainesville; and the Performing Arts Center in Tampa.

Among Florida's museums are the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota; the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami; the Cummer Gallery of Art in Jacksonville; the Center for the Fine Arts in Miami; the Loch Haven Art Center in Orlando; the Florida State Museum in Gainesville; the Edison Museum in Fort Myers; the Museum of the Circus in Sarasota; and the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola.

Recreation

Florida is famous for its beaches, warm climate, and sunny days. Popular outdoor activities include tennis, golf, softball, water sports, shell collecting, shuffle board, fossil collecting, fishing, hunting, hiking, and bird-watching. The state has ninety-two state parks and historic monuments, four state forests, two national seashores, and several national wildlife refuges. Covering most of southern tip of the state, Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in North America.

Interesting Facts

Before becoming part of the United States, Florida was claimed by the French, the English, and the Spanish. In 1969, Apollo 11, the first spacecraft to land men on the moon, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In 1971, Walt Disney World opened near Orlando. Some famous Floridians are Sidney Poitier (actor), Chris Evert (tennis champion), and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (jazz musician).

 

General Information State Bird: Mockingbird State Flower: Orange Blossom State Tree: Sabal Palm State Capitol: Tallahassee Area: 151,670 sq. km Population: 12,940,000 Elevation: 105m-0m Major Cities: Tallahassee / Miami Industry Information Agriculture Industry: Oranges, Sugar Cane, Milk, Beef and Nursery Products Fishing Industry: Shrimps and Lobsters Mining Industry: Phosphate Rock, Petroleum and Stone Manufacturing Industry: Food Products, Chemicals, Electric Equipment and Printed Materials Temperature Range Spring Temperature (range): 13C / 26C (Tallahassee) Summer Temperature (range): 22C / 33C (Tallahassee) Fall Temperature (range): 15C / 27C (Tallahassee) Winter Temperature (range): 6C / 18C (Tallahassee)