About the Sunshine State

Florida is a state within the United States that is in the southeastern region of the country. It borders Alabama and Georgia and is a peninsula with the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. It was the 27 state to be inducted into the United States and is nicknamed the "SunshineState" for its warm weather.

The northern region has a subtropical climate, while the southern part of the state has a true tropical climate.

According the United States Census Bureau, around 18,328,340 people were residing within the "SunshineState" in 2008. This makes Florida the fourth most populated state in the United States.

The capital of Florida is Tallahassee, which is located within the northern region of the state, and Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida. And Miami Beach Real Estate is the largest metropolitan area in the state.

The state spans between two time zones and is near several Caribbean countries, including Cuba and The Bahamas.

Most of the state is a coastline, and no part of the state is very far away from the ocean. This makes the climate of Florida somewhat tempered, meaning the temperature does not vary dramatically.

In Florida, the four seasons are typically determined by the precipitation, not temperature change. In the spring and summer months, is the state's wet season. And in the autumn and winter months, is the state's dry season. But, autumn foliage is commonly seen during November in the central and northern regions of the state

Although it is not very common, snow can occasionally fall in the northern regions of Florida. Also, in blizzard conditions, snow has blanketed the majority of the state of Florida.

Florida is nicknamed the "Sunshine state," but, the state often experiences some extreme weather. Florida is the lightning capital of the United States since it experiences more lightning strikes than anywhere in the United States Hurricanes also occur often during Florida's hurricane season.

The seasonal hurricanes of Florida cause millions of dollars in damage every year, one of which was the second costliest weather disaster in United States history. This storm was Hurricane Andrew, and it cost the state's economy $42 billion.

Florida is the host of many different species of wildlife. In the southernmost region of Florida are the Florida Everglades. These wetlands are home to many different forms of wildlife, including plants, mammals, insects, and more. The preservation of the Everglades has posed many budgeting and environmental issues in the Florida government.

In the 1930s, the Red fire ant was accidentally imported into the United States from South America. Since then, their population has drastically increased and spans across the entire southern region of the United States, including Florida. These ants are extremely aggressive and territorial. They give invaders of their nest a very painful sting without warning. The sting is similar to a fire burn, hence the name, and have caused sting related injuries to many people in Florida.

Florida is rich in many attractions. With exciting areas such as South Beach Homes and Tampa and attractions such as Walt Disney World Resort and the Florida Everglades, tourists can be found at all times of the year in the "Sunshine state."