Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Great Facts about the State of Florida

By Jony Mozen


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.

The Hawthorne Trail in Gainesville is a part of Florida's Rails to Trails program and attracts many outdoor enthusiasts to walk, cycle, or ride horseback through its 17-mile length Just north of Haines City is the Baseball City Stadium, the spring training home of the Kansas City Royals. Haines City is known as The Heart of Florida. The city of Hypoluxo's name comes from the Seminole expression "water all 'round - no way out."

Nightlife sizzles in many parts of the Sunshine State. On the east coast, the most popular nightlife spots are Miami Beach, Ft. Lauderdale (especially during Spring Break), West Palm Beach, and the other towns in that vicinity. In central Florida, the Walt Disney World complex has its Pleasure Island area, where adults can party like it's New Year's Eve each and every night. Universal's CityWalk appeals to nighttime revelers as well, with its many restaurants and bars. On the west coast, Tampa's lively Ybor City area is a favorite with the under-30 crowd, but the remainder of Gulf Coast beach towns also offer a good collection of nightclubs and other popular party spots geared towards various age groups. Florida. It's not just a destination. It's a whole new way of life. Come join the fun in the sun.




About the Author:



No comments: