# Florida

> state of the United States of America

**Wikidata**: [Q812](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q812)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/florida

## Summary
Florida is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, known as the "Sunshine State." It is the third-most populous state and a global leader in tourism, agriculture, and aerospace. Florida was admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845, and its capital is Tallahassee.

## Key Facts
- **Admission to the Union**: March 3, 1845
- **Capital**: Tallahassee
- **Largest City**: Jacksonville
- **Nickname**: The Sunshine State
- **Motto**: "In God We Trust"
- **Demonym**: Floridian
- **Area**: 170,312 km² (total), 135,659 km² (land)
- **Population** (2024 estimate): 22,222,134
- **Density**: 163.8/km²
- **Highest Point**: Britton Hill (105 m)
- **Lowest Point**: Atlantic Ocean (sea level)
- **Borders**: Georgia (north), Alabama (west), Gulf of Mexico (southwest), Atlantic Ocean (east)
- **Time Zones**: Eastern (UTC-5), Central (UTC-6) in western panhandle
- **ISO Codes**: US-FL, Alpha-2: FL
- **Admission Order**: 27th state
- **U.S. Senators**: Marco Rubio, Rick Scott (as of 2024)
- **Governor**: Ron DeSantis (as of 2024)
- **Electoral Votes**: 30 (as of 2024)
- **GDP** (2023): $1.42 trillion
- **Unemployment Rate** (2023): 2.9%
- **Median Household Income** (2023): $63,530
- **Poverty Rate** (2023): 12.1%
- **Literacy Rate**: 89.7% (2020)
- **Life Expectancy** (2022): 77.2 years
- **HDI** (2021): 0.921 ("Very High")
- **Gini Coefficient** (2021): 0.47
- **Major Industries**: Tourism, agriculture, aerospace, international trade
- **Major Cities**: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Hialeah
- **National Parks**: Everglades, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, Great Smoky Mountains (shared with Tennessee)
- **Federal Districts**: 28 congressional districts
- **Statehood**: 27th state admitted to the Union

## FAQs
**What is Florida's role in U.S. politics?**  
Florida is a critical swing state with 30 electoral votes, making it pivotal in presidential elections. Its diverse population and shifting demographics heavily influence national political strategies.

**How does Florida's economy compare nationally?**  
Florida has the fourth-largest economy in the U.S., driven by tourism, agriculture, and international trade. It leads the nation in citrus production and cruise ship departures.

**What are Florida's most notable geographic features?**  
Florida is a peninsula with extensive coastlines along the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Key features include the Everglades, numerous lakes, and the Florida Keys archipelago.

**Why is Florida a leader in space exploration?**  
Florida's Cape Canaveral hosts NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the primary launch site for U.S. space missions, including the Apollo moon landings and SpaceX operations.

**What challenges does Florida face due to climate change?**  
Florida is highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, increased hurricane intensity, and coastal flooding, threatening its infrastructure and ecosystems like the Everglades.

## Why It Matters
Florida's unique position as a peninsula with warm climate and extensive coastlines makes it a global tourism hub and retirement destination. Its aerospace industry, anchored by Cape Canaveral, drives U.S. space exploration. Agriculturally, Florida is the only state with a subtropical climate, enabling year-round citrus production. Politically, its status as a swing state amplifies its influence in national elections. Environmentally, the Everglades—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—supports biodiversity but faces threats from development and climate change. Florida's cultural diversity, shaped by Cuban, Haitian, and Caribbean communities, enriches its arts, cuisine, and festivals.

## Notable For
- **Space Exploration**: Home to NASA's Kennedy Space Center and SpaceX's launch facilities.
- **Tourism**: Hosts over 130 million visitors annually, with attractions like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
- **Agriculture**: Leads the U.S. in orange juice production and tomato farming.
- **Cultural Diversity**: Miami is the largest Cuban-American city outside Cuba, and Tampa has a historic Cuban community.
- **Retirement Destination**: Over 20% of residents are 65+, earning it the nickname "America's Retirement Home."
- **Hurricane Vulnerability**: Experiences more hurricanes than any other U.S. state due to its location in the subtropics.
- **Everglades Ecosystem**: The largest tropical wilderness in the U.S., housing endangered species like the Florida panther.
- **Cruise Industry**: Miami is the "Cruise Capital of the World," with over 4 million passengers annually.
- **Spring Training**: Hosts 15 MLB teams for preseason training, contributing $1.1 billion to the economy.

## Body

### History and Governance
Florida was admitted as the 27th state on March 3, 1845, after being a U.S. territory since 1822. Its capital, Tallahassee, was chosen for its central location. The state government operates under a constitution ratified in 1968, with a bicameral legislature and a governor serving as chief executive. Florida has 28 congressional districts and 30 electoral votes, reflecting its population growth.

### Economy and Industry
Florida's economy is the fourth-largest in the U.S., with key sectors including:
- **Tourism**: Generates over $100 billion annually, supporting 1.6 million jobs.
- **Agriculture**: Produces 70% of U.S. citrus, with tomatoes, strawberries, and sugarcane as major crops.
- **Aerospace**: Cape Canaveral hosts 24,000 aerospace jobs and generates $2.8 billion in annual revenue.
- **International Trade**: Miami's port handles 43% of U.S. trade with Latin America.

### Geography and Environment
Florida's geography is defined by:
- **Coastlines**: 1,350 miles of coastline, including the Florida Keys.
- **Everglades**: A 7,700-square-mile wetland designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- **Lakes**: Over 1,000 lakes, with Lake Okeechobee being the largest.
- **Climate**: Subtropical, with frequent hurricanes between June and November.

### Demographics and Culture
- **Population**: 22.2 million residents, with 70% living in coastal counties.
- **Diversity**: 26% Hispanic, 16% Black, 3% Asian, and 2% multiracial.
- **Languages**: 70% English, 21% Spanish, 4% Haitian Creole.
- **Cuisine**: Known for Cuban sandwiches, key lime pie, and fresh seafood.

### Education and Research
- **Universities**: University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of Miami are top-tier institutions.
- **Research**: Leads in marine biology, aerospace engineering, and citrus crop development.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
- **Airports**: Miami International Airport (MIA) is the 7th busiest in the U.S.
- **Highways**: 7,800 miles of interstate highways, including I-75 and I-95.
- **Ports**: Port of Jacksonville and PortMiami are critical for trade and cruise operations.

### Challenges and Controversies
- **Climate Change**: Rising sea levels threaten 10% of homes by 2040.
- **Red Tide**: Harmful algal blooms impact marine life and tourism.
- **Political Polarization**: Divided electorate on issues like immigration and environmental policy.

### Related Entities
- **Cities**: Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg.
- **National Parks**: Everglades, Biscayne, Dry Tortugas.
- **Military Bases**: Eglin Air Force Base, MacDill Air Force Base.
- **Cultural Institutions**: Vizcaya Museum, Dalí Museum, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

## References

1. Global LEI Index
2. [Source](https://www.britannica.com/place/Tallahassee)
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. BnF authorities
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. CiNii Research
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. FIPS 10-4
9. MusicBrainz
10. [Source](https://www.slcl.org/content/florida-9759)
11. [Source](https://www.mymcpl.org/sites/default/files/MGC-countydewey.pdf)
12. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
13. [Population Estimates Program](https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html)
14. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
15. Trove
16. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
17. GeoNames
18. BBC Things
19. Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
20. [Source](https://ncim-stage.nci.nih.gov/ncimbrowser/pages/concept_details.jsf?dictionary=NCI%20Metathesaurus&code=C0016253&type=synonym)
21. [Source](https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/state-abbreviations.htm)
22. Collective Catalog of Bibliographic Authorities of Chile
23. Library of Congress Name Authority File
24. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-bird/)
25. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-reptile/)
26. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-animal/)
27. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-butterfly/)
28. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-marine-mammal/)
29. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-saltwater-fish/)
30. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-freshwater-fish/)
31. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-flower/)
32. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-wildflower/)
33. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-tree/)
34. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-beverage/)
35. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-shell/)
36. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-gem/)
37. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-soil/)
38. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-song/)
39. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-motto/)
40. [Source](https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-state-symbols/state-play/)
41. BabelNet
42. United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2000 Census of Population and Housing
43. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Tourism-g28930-Florida-Vacations.html)
44. [LittleSis](https://littlesis.org/org/362052-State_of_Florida)
45. Quora
46. Google Maps
47. subreddit
48. Reddit
49. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)
50. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)