Florida Facts & Data

“The Sunshine State” is Florida’s official state nickname because of the many sunny days in Florida. It was adopted by the 1970 Legislature.

Florida was admitted to the U.S. as a State on March 3, 1845 as the 27th state.

Florida actually means “full (or feast) of flowers” named by explorer Ponce de Leon because of all the flowers he saw when he landed here in 1513. Florida’s semi-tropical climate allows it to have year-round flowers and lush vegetation.

Florida State Symbols & Emblems

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State Abbreviation FL
State Capital Tallahassee
Largest City Jacksonville
Largest Metro Miami Metro Area (Includes Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach)
Name for Residents Floridians
Major Industries Tourism, Agriculture
Major Rivers St. Johns River, St. Marys River, Suwannee River
Major Lakes Lake Okeechobee, Lake George
Highest Point 345 feet above sea level (Britton Hill in Walton County)
Number of Counties 67
Area Ranked 22nd among states
Total Area 58,560 sq mi
Land Area 54,252
Water Area 4,308
Coastline 1,197
Population Ranked 4th
Total Population 2020 estimate 21,538,187