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Introduction
Florida is famous for its pleasant
climate, attractive scenery, welcoming people and wealth of attractions
for all ages and interests. Little wonder, then, that it ranks not only
as the most popular long-haul holiday destination for European
holidaymakers but also as the world’s top travel destination.
Many Eurpean people have already bought second homes in Florida. In
fact, although the USA is more than twice the size of Europe, most
property investors buying there do so in the Sunshine State. The areas
around Orlando and Disney World have been, traditionally, the most
popular. Other favoured locations include the southeast (Atlantic)
coast from Palm Beach to the Florida Keys, and resorts on the southwest
(Gulf) coast, like Naples and Venice.
Geography
Most of Florida
is situated on a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the
south-eastern corner of the US, its coastline indented with estuaries,
bays, inlets, lagoons and rivers, including the famous Suannee. In the
south, the peninsula ends in an arc of islands resting on coral reefs,
known as the Florida Keys, accessed via a highway ending in Key West,
the southernmost point of the US.
Florida is made up of three land areas, the Atlantic Coastal Plain, the
East Gulf Coastal Plain and the Florida Uplands. Much of the state is
flat, though the uplands, as their name implies, are characterised by
low rolling hills. Florida’s highest point, Britton Hill, is only 105m
above sea level.
Climate and weather
Florida
lives up to its nickname of the Sunshine State, with an average of 300
days’ full sunshine per year. However, it also has the highest average
precipitation of any US state, largely owing to afternoon
thunderstorms, often very dramatic, which are common throughout most of
Florida from late spring to early autumn.
In July, temperatures are generally around 32–35 degrees Celsius. In
January, they range from 4–7 degrees Celsius in northern Florida to
around 13 degrees in the south, but cold fronts can occasionally bring
high winds and low temperatures to the whole state during late autumn
and winter.
The hurricane season is between June and November. It is essential to
budget for hurricane insurance when buying a home in Florida.
History
Juan Ponce de Leon
officially ‘discovered’ Florida in 1513, although archaeological finds
indicate that it had been inhabited for many thousands of years before
his arrival. He is believed to have landed near present-day St
Augustine, and claimed Florida for Spain. The first permanent European
settlement was established in St Augustine by Spain in 1565, making it
the US’s oldest city.
Florida became a US Territory in 1821, and General Andrew Jackson then
served as military governor until Congress approved a territorial
constitution. William P Duval, Florida's first civil governor, called
the first Legislative Council into session in Pensacola on 19 June 1823.
Florida was admitted to the US in 1845, as the 27th state. Its capital is Tallahassee.
Culture
Since
Florida is as large as a medium-sized country, it is no surprise that
it is very diverse culturally. People of many different backgrounds
live side by side, sharing their traditions, from Native Americans and
the Florida ‘Crackers’ (called after the rugged pioneers who settled
the region) to the Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Greeks, Asians and many other
ethnic groups who have made Florida their home.
Although the US as a whole is known as a strongly religious (mainly
Christian) nation, the majority of the populace is tolerant and
moderate in its views. Belief in freedom, equality and the importance
of hard work underpin the American Dream. Negative characteristics of
US culture can include materialism and insularity, both inevitable
results of the country’s superpower status.
Politics and government
Florida
is led, at state level, by a governor (currently Jeb Bush) and an
independent cabinet consisting of an Attorney General, Chief Financial
Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture.
The structure and operation of the state government and its three
branches – judicial, executive and legislative – are defined in the
Florida Constitution, which also establishes the basic state laws and
guarantees various rights and freedoms.
Because it has 25 votes in the Electoral College (nearly a tenth of
those necessary to win a presidential election), Florida wields
substantial political power. In general, it is solidly Republican,
although it famously fell to the Democrats in 2000, following a 36-day
recount.
At local level, Florida is divided into 67 administrative districts, known as counties.
Sightseeing
Most
holidaymakers visit Florida for Disney World and the other theme parks,
but the Orlando area offers a host of alternative attractions, some of
them quite unexpected, like the Harry P Leu Gardens, home to 2,000-plus
varieties of camellia and an 18th-century garden, and the Orlando
Museum of Art. The Kennedy Space Center is not to be missed.
In Miami, take a stroll through the historic Art Deco district of Miami
Beach, explore trendy Coconut Grove, or visit Little Havana, a bustling
community alive with art, music and historic landmarks, where you can
sample the authentic Cuban experience, from traditional cuisine to
watching cigars being hand rolled.
A trip to Key West, with its tin-roofed conch houses and gingerbread mansions, is unforgettable.
The natural world
Among
Florida’s best-known attributes are its azure seas and sandy beaches –
nearly 2,000km of them. However, there is much more to its natural
attractions than that. The state also boasts waterways, lakes, hills,
forests, 11 national parks and no fewer than 158 state parks. The most
famous of its national parks is the Everglades, the US’s largest
remaining subtropical wilderness. Its abundant wildlife includes rare
and endangered species like the American crocodile, Florida panther and
West Indian manatee.
Visit Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge near Titusville,
residents of which include bald eagles, or Ocala National Forest, which
lies between the Ocklawaha and St John’s Rivers in central Florida,
where you may be lucky enough to see a bear.
Shopping
Spend some time
out of the sun visiting Florida’s many shopping malls, boutiques and
speciality stores, which sell everything from clothing to antiques. The
numerous designer outlets and fleamarkets offer the chance to find real
bargains.
Orlando alone boasts eight major shopping malls, of which the Florida
Mall, anchored by Saks, Gayfers, JC Penny, Dillard's and Sears, is
currently the largest.
At Fort Lauderdale, Sawgrass Mills, Florida's largest retail and
entertainment centre, is home to more than 350 name-brand stores and
outlets, including the OFF 5th Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, as well as
restaurants, cinemas and other entertainment venues.
Florida’s downtowns (or city centres) and smaller towns feature
numerous independent boutiques, shops and galleries that are a
browser’s dream.
Eating out and nightlife
Eating out
Local specialities vary according to area. They include seafood, steaks and southern fried chicken.
Ethnic cuisine of all kinds can be found throughout the state.
Jacksonville is known for Filipino, Miami for Cuban, and Fort
Lauderdale for Haitian and Brazilian food.
Haute cuisine is served at a number of restaurants statewide,
particularly in and around Miami Beach, Naples and Palm Beach. For
those on a budget, numerous small, often family-run, restaurants offer
great food and excellent value.
Nightlife
As well as clubs, bars and numerous cultural events, Florida offers
more distinctive entertainment. For an authentic Cuban evening, visit
Miami on the last Friday of the month for Viernes Culturales (Cultural
Friday), a huge street party with music, dancing and street performers.
Sport and leisure
For
anyone who enjoys outdoor activities, Florida is paradise. Its warm
summers and mild winters make it an ideal location for camping, golf,
fishing, swimming, snorkelling, jetskiing, waterskiing, boating,
sailing, canoeing, kayaking, surfing and parasailing.
The east coast is best suited to activities involving surf. For
activities requiring calmer waters, the west coast and the Keys are
good choices. Along the west coast, the water remains at a comfortable
swimming temperature well into the autumn and winter.
For those who prefer to spectate, Florida has professional sports
venues in a number of major metropolitan areas where you can watch
baseball, basketball, hockey and football, among other sports. The
state is also celebrated for motorsport, notably the Daytona 500 stock
car race.
Public holidays
The
US has no public holidays as such. The federal government gives its
employees one quadrennial and 10 annual public holidays. In addition to
New Year’s Day and Christmas Day, these are:
• Martin Luther King Day (third Monday in January)
• Inaugural Day (20 January, every fourth year, following the presidential elections)
• Presidents’ Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (4 July)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
• Veterans Day (11 November)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
Most retailers close for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but are open on
other holidays. Larger private businesses generally observe most of the
10 federal holidays, and the day after Thanksgiving.
Getting there
Florida
has 12 international airports, the main ones are
Orlando, Orlando Sanford, Miami and Tampa. The others are West Palm
Beach, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood, Jacksonville, South West Florida and
Fort Myers. Direct flights from Amsterdam or London to Orlando, Miami and Tampa take
around eight, nine and 10 hours respectively.
Flights are available from all major airports of Europe. Airlines flying
direct include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. United Airlines,
American Airlines, Delta, US Airways and Continental Airlines are just
a few of the other carriers providing services.
You should have no trouble finding a budget fare, especially if you do not insist on flying direct.
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