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| General Information |
Nickname: Sunshine State
State bird: Mockingbird
State flower: Orange Blossom
Capital: Tallahassee
Date of admission to the Union: 3rd Mar 1845
Population: 15,111,000 (1999)
Population Density: 88.7/sq km
1999 Total overseas arrivals/US Ranking: 5,798,000/2
Time: GMT - 5. Daylight Saving Time is observed in the greater part of the State.
The State: Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with visitors heading to 'The
Sunshine State' in search of fun, sun and thrills. Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park and Busch Gardens are
just a few of the man-made attractions for which the State is famed. But there is more to Florida than Mickey Mouse
and white-knuckle rides. Winding waterways, freshwater lakes, hills, forests, exciting cities, 13,560km (8426 miles)
of coast, countless bays, inlets and islands, and a legendary climate make this one of the most popular States
in the USA.
Florida is divided into eight geographical regions: Northwest; North Central; Northeast; Central West; Central;
Central East; Southwest; and Southeast Florida & the Keys. Situated on the south-eastern tip, Miami and Miami
Beach have long been a haunt of the rich and famous, and star-spotting is a popular pastime here. Palm Beach scores
equally highly in the glamour stakes, thanks largely to Addison Mizner who designed a US$50 million development
of mansions and hotels, including one commissioned by the Vanderbilts. Fort Lauderdale is a popular spot for families,
offering a wide assortment of sports and recreational activities. To the south, the Florida Keys are made up of
the Upper, Middle and Lower Keys and Key West. A tropical climate, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters attract
a steady flow of visitors to the Keys all the year round.
The capital of Florida, Tallahassee, is geographically closer to Atlanta than Miami and is strictly Southern in
tone. It was chosen as the State capital in 1823 as a compromise between Pensacola and St Augustine which had both
been vying for the honour. Today, it is often described as 'The Other Florida' with its rolling hills, oak forests,
cool climate and distinctly Southern feel.
In the north-eastern corner of Florida stands Jacksonville, named after General Andrew Jackson. Divided by St John's
River, the city boasts futuristic features like the Jacksonville Automated Skyway, a monorail in the city centre,
as well as relics from the past in its historic district, listed on the National Register. Nearby St Augustine
is known as 'America's Oldest City' and is home to more than 60 historic sites, including massive forts, missions
and living history museums; it is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in continental USA. Amelia
Island, often called the 'Isle of Eight Flags', is the only site in the country to have been governed by eight
different countries during its history. At its heart lies Fernandina Beach, the nation's second oldest city. The
verdant north-eastern coastline is shaped by a series of points and peninsulas flanked by barrier islands. The
inland area is also endowed with State parks, springs and lakes.
Daytona is located in the slender Central East region. The beach is the city's main attraction with a 510m (1700ft)
boardwalk brimming with amusements, rides and snack bars. To the north lies the historic community of DeBary which
is home to the State headquarters for the Florida Federation of the Arts. Resorts are dotted along the coast and
include Vero Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and Sebastian.
Tampa and St Petersburg are the main cities in the Central West region. Anna Marie Island, Longboat Key, Bradenton
Beach and Holmes Beach lie in the Blue Gulf, adjacent to Bradenton and Palmetto on the mainland. Sarasota is the
cultural capital of the region, thanks to John Ringling and his wife who amassed an impressive art collection which
is today displayed in their restored mansion. Pinellas forms a stubby peninsula west of Tampa Bay, linked to Tampa
by three bridges.
The southwestern region is home to Naples, a popular seaside retreat with seemingly endless golfing, shopping and
fishing opportunities. Just off the mainland, Marco Island stands as a model of ecological preservation. Charlotte
County is only 27km (17 miles) long, but it boasts an amazing 193km (120 miles) of coastline. Charlotte Harbor
is protected by a triangular web of land fringed by barrier islands such as Gasparilla, a one-time pirates' haven.
Orlando is the face of Florida that most people recognise, with its enormous number of theme parks, movie studios,
water parks and entertainment facilities. The northern boundaries of Central Florida are engulfed by a national
forest so large that it has to be administered by two separate Ranger districts.
The Ocala National Forest covers 153,049ha (378,178 acres) divided into three recreation areas and linked by a
105m (65-mile) trail. Nearby Silver Springs, a network of 150 springs, is the world's largest artesian spring;
hundreds of thousands of gallons of water bubble through the spongy limestone bedrock each day. There are 1440
lakes in Lake Country which is the setting for the area's vineyards and wine-growing region. Southwest of Orlando
is Polk Country which is famed for its beautiful landscape of citrus groves and pine forests. |
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| Travel |
AIR: International airports: Miami (MIA) (web site:
http://www.miami-airport.com) is 8km (5 miles) northwest of the city (travel time - 25 minutes). There is a 24-hour
coach service to the central bus station and hotels on request. Buses and trains are available to the city. Taxi,
van and limousine services are also available. Fares are fixed. Greyhound runs services to Homestead, Islamorada,
Key Largo, Key West and Marathon.
Tampa (TPA) (web site: http://www.tampaairport.com) is 8km (5 miles) west of the city (travel time - 15 minutes).
A bus service runs into the city; limousine and taxi services are also available.
Orlando (ORL) (web site: http://www.state.fl.us/goaa/) is 12km (7 miles) south of the city (travel time - 15 minutes).
Hire cars, coach, bus, taxi and limousine services are available. Shuttle services are available to the main tourist
destinations.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) (web site: http://www.fll.net) is 8km (5 miles) from the city (travel time - 10
minutes). Hire cars, limousines, taxis and bus services are available, with rail connections to the surrounding
counties.
Approximate flight times: From Miami to Atlanta is 1 hour 50 minutes, to Barbados is 3 hours 25 minutes, to Caracas
is 3 hours 10 minutes, to Charlotte is 2 hours, to Chicago is 3 hours 10 minutes, to Dallas/Fort Worth is 3 hours
20 minutes, to Freeport is 40 minutes, to Grand Turk is 1 hour 45 minutes, to Guatemala City is 2 hours 40 minutes,
to Honolulu is 12 hours 15 minutes, to Houston is 3 hours, to London is 8 hours 10 minutes, to Los Angeles is 7
hours, to Mexico City is 3 hours 15 minutes, to New York is 2 hours 40 minutes, to Orlando is 55 minutes, to Panama
City is 3 hours, to Port-au-Prince is 45 minutes, to Providenciales is 1 hour 35 minutes, to St Croix is 2 hours
40 minutes, to San Francisco is 7 hours 25 minutes, to San Juan is 2 hours 25 minutes, to Santo Domingo is 2 hours
10 minutes, to Tampa is 55 minutes and to Washington, DC is 2 hours 20 minutes. From Tampa to London is 11 hours
35 minutes (including stopover), to Miami is 55 minutes and to New York is 2 hours 40 minutes. From Orlando to
London is 9 hours, to Miami is 55 minutes, to New York is 2 hours 30 minutes and to Washington, DC is 2 hours 5
minutes.
SEA: The port of Miami has been called the 'Cruise Capital of the World' and offers ocean liners for business meetings,
weekend getaways and extended luxury cruises.
The port of Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, is the second most important cruise port in Florida. Other cruise
ports on the east coast include Port Canaveral and Port of Palm Beach. The main West Coast cruise ports include
St Petersburg and Tampa. Major cruise lines in Florida include Carnival, Celebrity, Commodore, Costa, Crown, Cunard,
Holland America, Norwegian, Premier, Princess, Regal, Royal Caribbean, Royal Viking, Seabourn, SeaEscape and Sun
Line.
RAIL: Amtrak's Miami Station is 11km (7 miles) north of the city centre. It is the southernmost point on the network,
marking the southern end of the main east coast line from New York (and ultimately Boston). A branch line terminates
at Sarasota, a few miles south of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico. There are no direct services between the two.
ROAD: The best major routes through Florida are: Daytona Beach to St Petersburg (I-4), Jacksonville to the Alabama
border (I-10), St Petersburg to Tampa (I-275), the lower West Coast to Fort Lauderdale (I-75), the North-South
highway (I-95) or (I-75) and the East-West cross-state highway from Clearwater to Vero Beach (State 60). Most roads
are excellent throughout the State.
Approximate driving times: From Miami to Orlando is 4 hours, to Tampa is 5 hours, to Daytona Beach is 5 hours,
to New York is 27 hours, to Chicago is 27 hours, to Dallas is 28 hours, to Los Angeles is 57 hours and to Seattle
is 69 hours. From Tampa to Orlando is 1 hour 30 minutes. All times are based on nonstop driving at or below the
applicable speed limits.
Approximate Greyhound journey times: From Miami to Fort Lauderdale is 1 hour 55 minutes, to Palm Beach is 3 hours,
to Orlando is 7 hours 15 minutes, to St Petersburg is 8 hours 30 minutes, to Jacksonville is 9 hours 30 minutes,
to Tampa is 10 hours, to Tallahassee is 13 hours and to Atlanta is 18 hours.
URBAN: Miami/Miami Beach: A new, improved public transport system has been launched for the central Miami area,
with plans to expand it still further. It includes an elevated Metrorail system and an expanded bus system. The
Downtowner People Mover combines the fun of a theme park with the convenience of above street-level travel. Buses
operate frequently through most areas of Greater Miami. Fares are moderate and transfers are available. Taxis can
be expensive in the Miami area; one can usually hail them but delays may be encountered at rush hours. Taxis can
also be booked by telephone. Most major car hire and motor camper hire firms have offices at the airport or in
central Miami. Many provide a drop-off service in other parts of the State. Major hotels can often arrange immediate
car hire. |
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