Florida Facts -- National Geographic

Fast Facts

Population:: 17,019,068
Capital:: Tallahassee; 155,171
Area:: 65,755 square miles (170,304 square kilometers)
Per Capita Income:: U.S. $29,559
Date Statehood Achieved:: March 3, 1845

This subtropical playground—long favored by retirees—is one of the fastest growing states. But nature suffers as life-giving wetlands are drained, overbuilding accelerates coastal erosion, and the drawing down of the water table causes saltwater intrusion and sinkholes. Miami, the bilingual gateway for Latin America, is more than half Hispanic—mostly Cuban. In central Florida, Sea World, Universal Studios, and Walt Disney World make big money. High-tech industry supplements tourism and agriculture, mainly citrus, tomatoes, landscaping plants, and sugarcane.

ECONOMY

Industry: Health services, business services, communications, banking, electronic equipment, insurance, tourism
Agriculture: Citrus, vegetables, field crops, nursery stock, cattle, dairy products

—Text From National Geographic Atlas of the World, Eighth Edition

Related Features

Best Winter Trips 2012

Winter doesn't have to mean long months indoors. Our editors have chosen ten trips that will have you gearing up for adventure or joining in local festivities.
Dive and Surf to the Bahamas

Cave diver Kenny Broad's wildest dream trip is to cave dive and surf from Florida to the Bahamas. Learn more about this trip and others in our Ultimate Adventure Bucket List.
20 Animal Viewing Spots

Check out a bat cave in Texas, a manatee watering hole in Florida, and an elk refuge in Montana, along with first-class zoos and aquariums.