Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Travel
Geography and Location
Florida, known as the “Sunshine State,” was admitted as the 27th U.S. state in 1845 and stands out for its distinctive geography and advantageous location. Situated on a southeastern peninsula, Florida separates the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico and has only two neighboring states, Georgia to the east and Alabama to the west. Its southernmost point nearly reaches the Tropic of Cancer, with the iconic Florida Keys extending toward Cuba. With more than 8,400 miles of shoreline, Florida boasts the second longest coastline in the U.S., surpassed only by Alaska. The state’s proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean enhances its role as a key point of cultural exchange, making it a unique blend of American and Latin influences. Florida’s location has also made it a central hub for transportation, commerce, and tourism across North and South America.
Historical Significance
Florida's land has a long history, since the time of the European explorers and colonizers who arrived in 1513 with Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon, who named it "La Florida" due to its lush, flowery landscape. As a colony, Florida was first in dispute between Spain, France, and Great Britain before its final ceding to the United States in 1821. St. Augustine represents the oldest, continuously occupied European settlement in the continental U.S., dating to 1565 when it was founded by the Spanish, and is today a cultural and historic landmark. Florida also played an important role in the Seminole Wars of the 19th century, which would make it one of the longest and costliest of all the Native American conflicts against the U.S. government. These different events continued to add to Florida's various past, relative to the times of the Civil War, Reconstruction, and into the 20th century, with big military action during World War II, where it acted more strongly as a cultural nexus, or meeting point, between the Americas.
Natural Landscapes and Water Systems
The landscape is geologically young and primarily consists of a low lying plain, with most land below 100 feet in elevation. Its natural terrain includes seven distinct regions, such as the coastal lowlands and the Lake Okeechobee Everglades basin. The Everglades, often called the “river of grass,” is a unique slow moving river stretching across 150 miles and provides essential habitats for endangered species like the American crocodile, the panther, and the manatee. The basin’s northern portion is a major agricultural area, especially for sugarcane, while the southern portion is preserved as Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This region has thousands of lakes and a network of over 1,700 streams. Lake Okeechobee, the third largest freshwater lake entirely within the United States, is a central feature of the water system, helping to support vast wetland areas. Beneath the surface, a porous limestone substructure holds significant amounts of groundwater, fueling the region’s extensive artesian springs, particularly in the central areas.
Climate and Biodiversity
The tropical and subtropical climate, marked by hot, humid summers and mild winters, creates favorable conditions for a rich variety of plant and animal species. The region is home to thousands of plant species, including hundreds of tree varieties such as pine, oak, cypress, palm, and mangrove, covering about half of its land area. In the northern regions, trees like beech, red maple, and magnolia thrive, while tropical varieties dominate in the south. Biodiversity extends to wildlife, with unique species like alligators, flamingos, and sea turtles. This climate also supports a booming agriculture sector, especially citrus fruits, with the area leading U.S. production of oranges. Known for tourism, attractions include not only beaches and theme parks but also state and national parks that protect unique ecosystems, from southern mangrove swamps to freshwater springs in central areas. Rapid population growth, fueled by immigration from Latin America and other parts of the U.S., reflects its appeal as a vibrant, multicultural environment.
