Geography and Climate of Florida
Florida, the “Sunshine State,” is a peninsula, mostly bordered by the Gulf of Mexico, the Straits of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Alabama and Georgia to the north and west. The Panhandle part of the state extends along the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico.
South of Orlando, Florida is low and flat, with some vistas that rise above the water. The Everglades, a wide, slow flowing river with swamp-like characteristics, covers the southern tip of the peninsula. Central and northern Florida, away from the coast, has rolling hills and some elevation change.
Florida is a humid subtropical climate, with the exception of the southern part past Lake Okeechobee, a true tropical climate. The surrounding bodies of water heavily influence most of it. The seasons are based more on precipitation than temperature, with mild, dry winters and hot, wet summers.
Waters surrounds the Florida Keys, which have a tropical climate that varies less in temperature. Cold fronts blow through the state every now and then, with high winds and cool temperatures in the winter.
Extreme weather is common in Florida. The state experiences more lightning strikes than any other in the nation. Florida also has the highest average precipitation than any other state due to afternoon thunderstorms.
Tropical cyclones and hurricanes are the state’s biggest threat during summer and fall, with four hurricanes hitting the Florida coast in 2004 alone. Hurricane Andrew was the second costliest weather disaster, causing $25 billion in damage.
History of Florida
The Calusa, Apalachee and Tocobago Native American tribes had inhabited the area before the arrival of Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon. The French and Spanish ruled over various parts of the peninsula, until English colonies established in the north and weakened Spanish power.
Britain gained control of Florida in 1763 through the Peace of Paris and divided the colony into East and West Florida. However, Spain regained both Floridas after the American Revolutionary War and offered land grants to settlers.
Native American Seminole tribes raided Georgia settlements, leading to the First Seminole War in 1817. Through the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819, Spain ceded all of Florida to the U.S. in exchange for American repudiation of Texan claims plus $5 million.
Americans continued to move to Florida and pressured the U.S. government to remove Seminole tribes still living the area. Many tribes left between the Second and Third Seminole Wars (1835-1858), but those who stayed used guerrilla warfare against the U.S. army. The war still failed to force all of the Seminoles to leave Florida. Most were exiled to lands west of the Mississippi.
In 1845, Florida officially became a state. White settlers started cotton plantations, with slave labor comprising nearly half of the state population in the antebellum period. Florida seceded from the Union and was part of the Reconstruction period after the Civil War.
White Democrats gained power in the state government, creating a new constitution in 1885 that disfranchised African-Americans and poor whites. Around one-fifth of the population was left when lynchings, racial violence and the boll weevil infestation that destroyed cotton crops caused African-Americans to join the Great Migration to jobs in the north.
The NAACP formed in Florida by Harry Moore. Voting rights fully restored during the Civil Rights Movement.
Florida was the least populated state in the South until the middle of the 20th century. Tourism and the brief Florida land boom of the 1920s helped repopulate the area and boost its economy.
The 1926 Miami Hurricane, along with a shortage of buyers and the Great Depression, ended the period quickly. During World War II, Florida became a huge hub for the U.S. Armed Forces, thus establishing multiple naval and air force bases.
The climate, air-conditioning and low cost of living brought migrants from the Midwest and Northeast, especially retirees. The Cuban Revolution in 1959 brought a massive influx of immigrants to South Florida, transforming Miami into a major finance center for Latin America.
Demographics of Florida
As of 2007, Florida’s estimated population is 18,251,243, making it the fourth largest population in the U.S. It's also the third fastest-growing state in the nation.
The largest European ancestries reported in Florida are German, Irish, English, French, Polish and Scottish. There is a large Greek population in Tarpon Springs, as well as a sizeable Italian community in Miami.
Florida’s Hispanic population is one of the largest in the country. At about one-fifth of the population, Cuban-Americans are concentrated primarily in Miami and Tampa. African-Americans comprise 15 percent of the population, mostly in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa Bay, in addition to Haitian and Jamaican immigrants in southern Florida.
Most of Florida is Protestant, with Baptists, Methodists and Pentecostals. However, Catholicism makes up over a quarter of the state’s religious composition. There is also a notable Jewish population, mostly in South Florida. Sixteen percent of the population identify themselves as non-religious.
Economy of Florida
In 2006, Florida’s gross domestic product was $713.5 billion, making it the fourth largest U.S. economy. Per capita income was $36,665.
Tourism is a huge sector in Florida’s economy, attracting around 60 million visitors to its sandy beaches. Walt Disney chose Orlando in the 1960s as the site of his new world resort, making the Orlando area a resort destination with several theme parks.
Citrus fruits, including oranges, tangerines and grapefruit, along with celery and sugarcane, are Florida’s largest agricultural outputs. Over 90 percent of commercial orange production is for processing orange juice. Florida also has about a fourth of the world’s supply of phosphate.
As the Cold War carried on, Florida’s close proximity to Cuba called for further development of military facilities and missile programs. In the 1960s, the Space Race rocketed off as the U.S. competed with the Soviet Union, thereby creating the Kennedy Space Center and making Florida a major aerospace industry center.
Florida Law and Government
Republican Charlie Crist is currently the Governor of Florida. Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson serve as the state’s U.S. Senators. The state legislature consists of 40 members of Senate and 120 members of the House of Representatives. Tallahassee is the state capital.
Florida is a swing state, due to a seemingly balanced mix of Democrats and Republicans. Historically, Florida has voted Democrat since Reconstruction. However, in the 1950s, the vote shifted to Republicans. In metro areas, places with transplanted Northeasterners live or places with a high percentage of racial minorities, Democrats have the most strength, such as South Florida. Suburban and rural areas sway towards Republicans.
Florida was the political hotbed of the much contested 2000 U.S. presidential election, when the popular vote count was very close. Incorrectly punched ballots and “hanging chads” made the recount process difficult. In the end, the U.S. Supreme Court intervened, declaring George W. Bush as the winner.
Florida Transportation
Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tampa International Airport all serve over 15 million passengers per year. Fort Myers, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville also have international airports, while Pensacola and Sarasota-Bradenton deal with regional passengers.
I-4 cuts through the state, connecting Daytona Beach, Tampa and Orlando. I-75 starts at Lake City and goes south through Gainesville, eastern Tampa, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale and Miami Lakes. I-10 travels along the panhandle through Pensacola, Tallahassee and Jacksonville. I-95 starts at Jacksonville and follows the Atlantic Coast, ending in Downtown Miami.
Miami has a rail rapid transit system called Metrorail, in addition to a people mover train system in Downtown known as the Metromover. Metrobus is the Miami-Dade bus system. There are other light rail and commuter rail services in the approval and planning stages.
Major Cities and Towns of Florida
There are twenty metro areas in Florida, mostly situated on the coast of the peninsula, including Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Orlando and Fort Lauderdale.
Florida’s largest city, Miami is a vibrant whirl of Art Deco architecture and vivid colors. Downtown Miami has the nation’s fastest growing skyline.
The historic bohemia of the Coconut Grove abounds with parks and gardens. Anyone looking for a quick splash in the ocean can just walk over to Miami Beach. Rumba and salsa away at one of Miami’s renowned nightclubs or snorkel and scuba dive off the coast of the Florida Keys.
Florida Educational System
The state university system in Florida consists of 11 public universities in the state. The University of Florida is the flagship university. Florida A&M University is a historically black college. The University of Central Florida is the largest in the state. There are 28 community colleges in Florida, as well as 28 private postsecondary educational institutions.
Find out more from the Florida Department of Education.
Florida Sports Teams and Recreational Activities
Florida did not have any major sports franchises until the 1960s, but there are now three NFL teams, two NBA teams, two MLB teams and two NHL teams. There is also an array of minor leagues teams in football, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, indoor football and soccer.
Florida is a rapidly growing market for arena football. Auto racing draws thousands to the Daytona International Speedway every year. In college sports, the University of Florida Gators are a NCAA Division I championship school.
Given that Florida is a peninsula, it’s not unusual for residents to own boats or jet skis. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing are all popular water activities.
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