Welcome to Florida
There is no other place in the country quite like Florida. It has 1,350 miles of coastline with 825 miles of that coastline being beautiful sandy beaches. Florida is the only state that has seashores on both the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico. In fact Florida is the only state in the continental United States that can boast that no matter where you are in the state, you are only 60 miles or less from a beach. Florida also has the most islands of any of the 48 contiguous states with 4,510 islands that range in size from 10 acres to 3,000 square miles. Only Alaska has more coastline and islands than Florida, but their beaches don’t quite compare. There is no other state in the continental United States that is in the subtropical climate zone or the tropical climate zone, but Florida is in both, with north and central Florida being in the subtropics, and south Florida being in the tropics. Our subtropical to tropical weather that gives us over 240 days of sunshine, and our beaches are the magnet that attracts over 137 million tourists per year from around the country and around the world. But there is more to Florida than just beautiful weather, and beautiful beaches that those tourists are flocking to. |
Gulf Sunset, Atlantic Sunrise, Florida Palms Key West, Gulf Beach White Sand, Sea Shells
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Florida is Not Just About Beaches
Although Florida boasts the best beaches in the world, there is more to Florida than just beaches. Florida has hundreds of theme parks, attractions, zoos, aquariums, water parks, museums, and entertainment venues throughout the state. Florida is also home to major professional sports teams. Three NFL teams, two MLB teams, two NHL teams, two NBA teams, and soccer teams in both the USL, and MLS leagues. As for car racing fans Daytona Speedway is one of the most famous race tracks in the world. For golf enthusiasts, many major PGA, and LPGA tournaments take place in Florida each year. For golfers that would rather play than watch, Florida is paradise, as it has more golf courses than any state in the country.
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Eco-Tourism in Florida
Eco-Tourism can mean many things to many people. Basically to enjoy nature, and Florida’s natural assets of the state, is how we describe it. Florida boasts one of the wonders of the world, the Everglades, which spans 1.5 million acres of subtropical wilderness that also is home to Everglades National Park, which is the third largest national park in the United States. Florida has 7,700 lakes (including Lake Okeechobee which is the largest fresh water lake outside of the Great Lakes), 1,000 springs, and has a recorded bird population of 516 different species, along with abundant wildlife. So whether you want to kayak along one of Florida's many scenic rivers, go hiking or biking along the hundreds of trails (thousands of miles) that let you see nature closeup throughout the state, go freshwater fishing in Florida’s many lakes and streams, grab your camera and go bird watching anywhere and everywhere, or explore all of the natural less crowded beaches and dunes of the big bend area and the panhandle. You have ample opportunites, and locations to see, and be one with Florida nature. Camping is another great activity that puts you in the middle some beautiful areas as hundreds of great campsites are located throughout the state.
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