Florida has two tourist seasons. The peak season is the winter season,
when visitors escape the cold and snow of the northern climes for Florida’s
sun and warmth. Christmas and Thanksgiving are the busiest times of
the year, when crowds are extra thick and prices go through the roof.
The secondary season is in the summer from June to late August, when
families brave the heat, humidity and thunderstorms to enjoy their summer
vacations on Florida’s beaches. The exception to this rule is
the Florida Keyes, which consider summer their off-season, which lowers
prices there considerably.
Needless to say, visiting in the transitional off-seasons, spring and
fall, is cheaper and less crowded. The weather is generally mild all
year so most activities are possible year-round.
State Abbreviation: FL
State Capital: Tallahassee
Largest City: Jacksonville
Area: 65,758 square miles (22nd biggest state in the
USA)
Florida Population: 17,397,161 (as of 2004)
Major Industries: tourism, agriculture, electronics
Florida Rivers: St. Johns River, St. Marys River, Suwannee
River
Florida Lakes: Lake Okeechobee, Lake George
Highest Point: A hill in Walton County - 345 feet above
sea level
Origin of the Name: Originally named the "Pascua
de Florida," meaning "Feast of Flowers".
State Nickname: The Sunshine State
State Motto: "In God we trust."
State Song: "Swanee River"
