Florida's warm and sunny climate attracts more than just tourists, retirees and baseball teams in the springtime. People from all walks of life come to the Sunshine State for its attractive weather, high job growth rate, lack of personal income tax and relatively low cost of waterfront homes for sale. All of these factors and more help to make Florida one of the nation’s fastest growing states. Hundreds of miles of scenic coastline, Disney World, and the natural beauty of the Everglades all help to make tourism Florida's leading industry.
Agriculture is also big business and the state is the number one citrus producer in the United States. Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa are the three largest cities, and Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Daytona Beach are particulary popular with many thousands of waterfront houses for sale. In fact, Florida beaches, whether quiet and secluded or bustling with activity, are ranked among the best in the country for beauty, accessibility and facilities. Families, couples, and active singles enjoy year-round sunshine, soft sand, and clear Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean waters. No other state and very few countries can boast such an abundance of high-quality beaches. The 825 miles of sandy coastline fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida are among Florida’s most valuable natural resources.
Florida’s beaches have attracted 14 million people to the state, 75% of which live within ten miles of the coast. Both tourists and residents come to the beaches to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of its natural beauty. Others visit the beaches and nearby waters to engage in boating, fishing, diving, and other recreation. Florida's beaches are an integral part of the state's economy, attracting tourists from around the world. Beach tourism generates about $15 billion a year to the state’s economy
Additionally, Florida is blessed with over 1,700 rivers, 40 of them major ones. Within the 7,700 lakes is the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the United States, Lake Okeechobee, at 700 square miles
Florida ranks low in terms of the tax burden placed on residents. Based on income, property and other state and local tax collections, the Tax Foundation research organization ranks Florida among the lowest tax states -- only five states have a lower tax burden. Florida has no state Income tax.
Why Live in Florida?
Florida Geography:
· Total Area - 58,560 Square Miles
· Land Area - 54,252 Square Miles
· Total Water Area - 4,308 Square Miles
· Length North to South - 447 Miles
· Width East to West - 361 Miles
· Distance from Pensacola to Key West - 792 Miles by Road
· Highest Natural Point - 345 Feet near Lakewood in Walton County
· Geographic Center - 12 miles northwest of Brooksville, Hernando County
· Coastline - 1,197 Statute Miles
· Tidal Shoreline - 2,276 Statute Miles
· Beaches - 663 Miles
· Florida has more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams & waterways
· Longest River - St. Johns at 273 miles
· Largest Lake - Lake Okeechobee at 700 square miles (the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the US)
· Number of Lakes greater than 10 acres - Aprox. 7,700
· Number of Islands Greater than 10 Acres - Aprox. 4,500 (Florida ranks 2nd in the nation; only Alaska ranks higher)
· Population Rank - 4th in U.S. behind California, Texas & New York
· Florida’s Population (2011) - 19,057,542
Average Annual Temperatures:
Summer:
· 80.5 (F) degrees (26.9 C) (North Florida)
· 82.7 (F) degrees (28.2 C) (South Florida)
Winter:
· 53.0 (F) degrees (11.7 C) (North Florida)
· 68.5 (F) degrees (20.3 C) (South Florida)
· The six-month hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and Floridians have learned to be ready when a storm threatens the area.
Other Interesting Florida Facts
· Number of people who move to Florida each day - 1,000
· Number of major commercial airports - 19
· Number of international airports - 12
· Number of deep water ports - 14
· Miles of sand beaches - 1,200
· Miles of coastline - 1,800
· Number of golf courses - more than 1,250*
*Florida has more golf courses than any other state and Palm Beach County has more golf courses than any other county in the country
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