Quick Florida Facts

Nickname: The Sunshine State
State Motto: In God we trust
State Bird: Mockingbird
State Flower: Orange blossom
State Tree: Sabal palmetto palm 
Population: 17,789,864
Capital: Tallahassee
Largest City: Jacksonville
Area: 58,560 sq mi (151,670 sq km).

Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S.—with good reason. The “Sunshine State” has over 900 miles of beach coastline, 4,000 square miles of inland water bodies, cosmopolitan cities like Miami, destination adventures for the whole family and terrific weather in which to enjoy it all.

Not only do people flock to Florida for vacation, but to live here as well. “Snowbirds” escape icy climes from all over the country to spend winter months basking in the sun. Others decide to move here permanently to enjoy the Florida lifestyle, many of them drawn by the opportunity to play golf all year long.

There are more than 1300 public, semi-private and private golf courses throughout the state, offering golfers of every level the opportunity to enjoy the game on some of the world’s most beautiful courses. Even better, there are hundreds of golf course communities where you can live on or near the links.

To start your search for golf course properties in Central Florida, click here.

Tourism plays a primary role in the state's economy; in 1996 visitors to Florida spent over $48 billion. Walt Disney World, a massive cluster of theme parks near Orlando that is one of the world's leading tourist attractions; Universal Studios, a combination theme park and film and television production facility, also near Orlando; and other attractions draw millions yearly.

Famed beaches, such as those at Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, attract hordes of vacationers. With more than 4,000 sq mi (10,360 sq km) of inland water and with the sea readily accessible from almost anywhere in the state, Florida is a fishing paradise. Other attractions include Everglades National Park, with its unusual plant and animal life; Palm Beach , with its palatial estates; and Sanibel Island's picturesque resorts.

Famous for its citrus fruits, Florida leads the nation in the production of oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and market-ready corn and tomatoes. Other important crops include sugarcane and many varieties of winter vegetables. Cattle and dairy products are important, as is commercial fishing, with the catch including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.