Florida was under colonial rule by Spain from the 16th century to the 19th century, and briefly by Great Britain during the 18th century (1763–1783) before becoming a territory of the United States in 1821. Two decades later, in 1845, Florida was admitted to the union as the 27th US state.

During the 1800s, Florida attracted settlers to its areas because of the abundant land and water resources. Florida developed in the 1800s when settlers built many towns along the coasts and rivers in areas with natural ports.

The United States now wanted control of Florida. Spain’s attempt to bring settlers to Florida failed, and by 1800 Spain’s control of Florida had weakened. Gaining control of Florida for the United States would mean gaining control of the Mississippi River. That was an important route for trade.

During the Seven Years War (French and Indian War), the British had captured Spanish Cuba and the Philippines. In order to get these valuable colonies back, Spain was forced to give up Florida. Signed on February 10, 1763, the First Treaty of Paris, gave all of Florida to the British.

The French is your answer.

The USA would have eventually taken Florida. “Manifest destiny” and all that. If Spain still held Florida at the time of the Trail of Tears (1830s), it is very possible that a large part of the Muskogee tribe would have fled across the border into northern Florida where many of their kin lived.

Juan Ponce de León

The Sunshine State

Juan Ponce de Leon

Ponce de León spotted and landed on the peninsula on April 2, 1513. He named it La Florida in recognition of the verdant landscape and because it was the Easter season, which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers).

10 Fun Interesting Facts About Florida

• Florida has the most golf courses of any state in America.
• Approximately 1,000 people move to Florida each day.
• There are no dinosaur fossils in Florida.
• You must register your car in Florida — even if you only live there part-time.
• Florida’s state flag features St.
• Florida is the flattest state in America.

Florida is known for its natural disasters, like hurricanes and sinkholes. Hurricanes can be deadly, and repairing storm damage done to a home or business could cost a lot. Hurricanes can knock out electrical grids in neighborhoods.

What is Florida famous for? Florida is famous for its beaches, theme parks, natural sceneries, and orange orchards. This East Coast home of Mickey Mouse is known for its natural beauty, such as the Florida Everglades. It is called the Sunshine State for its abundant sunshine and generally warmer subtropical climate.

Florida has the longest coastline (1,197 statute miles) in the contiguous United States, with 825 miles of accessible beaches to enjoy. It’s the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Wherever you are in Florida, you’re never more than 60 miles from the nearest body of salt water.

The Geography of Florida. Florida is 500 miles long and 160 miles wide at its most distant points. The geographic center of Florida is located in Hernando County, 12 miles NNW of Brooksville.

They are out of luck. No bones about it. Florida is one of the few dino-less states in the union because it was under water during the time dinosaurs ruled the earth. South Florida is a treasure trove of fossils when it comes to extinct ice-age mammals such as the mammoth, mastodon and giant sloth, Graves says.

Florida’s climate makes it ideal for growing a wide variety of crops. Major crops include citrus, sugarcane, tomatoes, peppers, cotton, watermelons, peanuts, snap beans, and potatoes. Timber is also an important agricultural commodity for the state.

Florida’s Major Industries

• Aviation & Aerospace.
• Cleantech.
• Defense and Homeland Security.
• Financial and Professional Services.
• Headquarters.
• Information Technology.
• Life Sciences.
• Logistics and Distribution.

10 Florida Souvenirs You Won’t Forget

• An original, hand printed Clyde Butcher photograph.
• Mouse Ears from Walt Disney World.
• Blue Angel Survival Bracelet from Pensacola.
• Sponges from Tarpon Springs.
• Paella Pan from Tampa.
• Seashells from Sanibel.
• Fountain of Youth Water from St.
• Astronaut Helmet from Kennedy Space Center.

tourism

Lake Buena Vista

Florida’s economic outlook ranks seventh in the U.S. in the American Legislative Exchange Council Center for State Fiscal Reform’s latest Rich States, Poor States competitive index.

Oranges are Florida’s most important agricultural product. Other citrus fruits grown include grapefruit, limes, tangerines and tangelos. Tomatoes are Florida’s second leading crop.