Information and history of the state of Florida

In 1513, Ponce de León, seeking the mythical “Fountain of Youth,” discovered and named Florida, claiming it for Spain. Later, Florida would be held at different times by Spain and England until Spain finally sold it to the United States in 1819.

Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845.

Florida's history in the early 19th century was marked by wars with the Seminole Indians, which did not end until 1842.

Some Florida Symbols

1. State Bird	2. State Mammal	3. State Flower	4. State Insect	5. State Gem
6. State Tree	7. State Reptile	8. State Beverage	9. State Fish	10. State Shell

1. Mockingbird - The official state bird of Florida is the mockingbird. Northern Mockingbirds have extraordinary vocal abilities - they can sing up to 200 songs, including the songs of other birds, insect and amphibian sounds, even an occasional mechanical noise.
2. Florida Panther- In 1982 the students of Florida elected the magnificent Florida panther as the official state animal of Florida. A large predator (can grow more than 6 feet in length), panthers play an important role in the ecosystem.
3. Orange Blossom - The orange blossom was designated as the state flower of Florida in 1909. The blossom of the orange tree is one of the most fragrant flowers in Florida.
4. Zebra Longwing Butterfly - The zebra longwing butterfly (Heliconius charitonius) was designated the official state butterfly of Florida in 1996. The zebra longwing butterfly is found throughout Florida.
5. Moonstone - The moonstone was designated the official state gem of Florida in 1970 to memorialize American astronauts landing on the moon in 1969 (all astronaut-controlled spaceflights had been launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida). The moonstone is a form of the mineral feldspar and is not found naturally in Florida.
6. Sabal Palm - Florida designated the sabal palm as the official state tree in 1953. The sabal palm (also known as cabbage palm, palmetto, or cabbage palmetto) is the most widely distributed palm tree in Florida.
7. American Alligator - The American alligator was designated as the official state reptile of Florida in 1987. Alligator comes from the Spanish "el lagarto" (the lizard). The American alligator is native to the Southeastern United States.
8. Orange Juice - Florida designated orange juice as the official state beverage in 1967.Florida produces the majority of citrus fruit grown in the United States.
9. Largemouth Bass - The Florida largemouth bass was designated the official state freshwater fish in 1975. This black bass lives in quiet, vegetation-rich Florida waters and can grow to over 20 inches (and weigh over fifteen pounds).
10. Horse Conch - Florida designated the horse conch as the official state shell in 1969. Also known as the giant band shell, the horse conch shell can grow to a length of twenty-four inches and is native to the marine waters around Florida.

Did you know?

• Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America.
• Florida culture is a reflection of influences and multiple inheritance; Native American, European American, Hispanic and African American heritages can be found in the architecture and cuisine.
• Greater Miami is the only metropolitan area in the United States whose borders encompass two national parks. You can hike through pristine Everglades National Park or ride on glass-bottom boats across Biscayne National Park.
• Niceville is home to the famous Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival celebrated the third weekend in October.
• Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common except the name.