Celebrate FLORIDA

Celebrate the Uniqueness of Florida

The Sunshine State Cities, Towns, State Symbols, Industry, Agriculture, Parks & More!

Enrichment for Educational Snacks

Cities: Jacksonville Miami Tampa Orlando St. Petersburg Cape Coral Tallahassee Fort Lauderdale Gainesville West Palm Beach Lakeland Kissimmee Ocala Small Towns: Mount Dora Apalachicola St. Augustine State Symbols Florida Panther Northern Mockingbird Orange Blossom Dolphin Manatee Sabal Palm Industr y: Travel & Tourism Cruises

Agriculture: Oranges Watermelon Tomatoes Strawberries Sweet Corn Dairy Landmarks: Space Coast Daytona Beach Southernmost Point Amelia Island Crystal River Fountain of Youth Lake Okeechobee Parks: Everglades National Park Biscayne National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Silver Springs State Park Regions: Florida Keys Panhandle Gulf Coast Treasure Coast Food & Culture: Key Lime Pie Cuban Sandwich Spring Training Golf

Cities

BIG CITY

Jacksonville Jacksonville is the LARGEST city in Florida with a population of over 1 million people.

Jacksonville is known as one of the biggest U.S. Navy cities in the country.

Jacksonville is built on both sides of the St. Johns River.

Jacksonville is home to two major U.S. naval bases - Naval Air Station Jacksonville & Naval Station Mayport.

Jacksonville has over 500 neighborhoods.

Jacksonville was founded in 1822…

BEFORE Florida became a state!

Jacksonville is the largest

city by land area in the continental United States.

Duval County Public Schools has over 120,000 students.

BIG CITY

Miami Miami is the 2nd largest city in Florida with a population of over 480,000 people.

Miami was incorporated as a city of Florida in 1896.

PortMiami is the world’s

BUSIEST passenger cruise port.

Miami is the ONLY major U.S. city founded by a woman - Julia Tuttle.

Miami is known for it’s Art Deco Historic District with over 800 preserved Art Deco style buildings.

Miami is nicknamed the “magic city.”

Miami is known for its Cuban & Latin American culture.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is the largest school district in Florida.

BIG CITY

Tampa Tampa is the 3rd largest city in Florida with a population of over 410,000 people.

Tampa sits along an estuary called Tampa Bay.

Tampa if often referred to as the ”Lightning Capital of North America.”

Estuaries are bodies of water where rivers meet the ocean.

Tampa became an official city of Florida in 1855.

Tampa is well known for its pirate festival, Gasparilla, which has been celebrated for over 100 years!

Tampa hosts the Florida State Fair.

Hillsborough County Public Schools has over 220,000 students.

BIG CITY

Orlando Orlando is the 4th largest city in Florida with a population of over 330,000 people.

Orlando is nicknamed the “Theme Park Capital of the World.”

Orlando is home to over 100 lakes.

Lake Eola, located in downtown Orlando is famous for its swans.

Walt Disney World is Orlando's most famous theme park.

Orlando’s theme parks make it one of the most visited cities in the U.S. Orlando was originally a major citrus growing region.

Orlando is in Orange County, which was named after its citrus history.

Orange County Public Schools has over 205,000 students.

BIG CITY

St. Petersburg St. Petersburg is the 5th largest city in Florida with a population of over 265,000 people.

St. Petersburg holds a Guiness World Record St. Petersburg is for the most consecutive days of sunshine. commonly called “The Sunshine City” St. Pete for short.

St. Pete is home to the world’s

FIRST scheduled commercial airline.

St. Pete is known for its vibrant public art & murals.

St. Pete is located in St. Pete became an official between city of Florida in 1892. the Gulf of Mexico & In 1892, St. Pete only Tampa Bay. had ~300 residents.

Pinellas County Public Schools has over 91,000 students.

BIG CITY

Cape Coral Cape Coral is the 8th largest city in Florida with a population of over 233,000 people.

Cape Coral has 400+ miles of navigable canals -more than any other city in the world!

Cape Coral

has freshwater & saltwater canals.

Cape Coral is known for its large population of burrowing owls.

Some of Cape Coral’s saltwater canals connect all the way to the Gulf of Mexico!

Cape Coral was established as a city of Florida in 1970.

Cape Coral was founded in 1957 by two brothers, Leonard & Jack Rosen.

"Waterfront Wonderland” Lee County Public Schools has over 100,000 students.

CAPITAL CITY

Tallahassee Tallahassee is the 9th largest city in Florida with a population of over 205,000 people.

Tallahassee became the capital city of Florida in 1824.

Tallahassee’s capitol building is 345 feet tall!

Every year, Tallahassee hosts the Springtime Tallahassee Festival!

The name “Tallahassee” comes from a Muskogean Native American word meaning “old town.”

“T al l y”

Tallahassee is the hilliest major city in Florida.

Tallahassee is home to 80+ public parks & green spaces.

The Museum of Florida History is in Tallahassee.

Leon County Schools has over 32,000 students.

BIG CITY

Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale is the 10th largest city in Florida with a population of over 190,000 people.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the “Yachting Capital of the World.”

Off the shore of Fort Lauderdale is a threetier coral reef system.

SPRING BREAK!

Fort Lauderdale is home to over 100 marinas that house more than 50,000

registered yachts.

There are 165+ miles of waterways including Fort Lauderdale canals, rivers became an official city & channels of Florida in 1911. in Fort Lauderdale.

Broward County Schools has over 250,000 students.

Gainesville Gainesville is a city in Florida with a population of over 148,000 people.

Gainesville is home to the University of Florida – one of the LARGEST universities in the U.S.

Nearly half of Gainesville is covered by trees, earning it the title of a designated

Tree City USA.

Over 12,000 students graduate from the University of Florida every year.

“GNV” Gainesville is best known for being a vibrant college town full of school spirit.

Gainesville was incorporated as a city of Florida in 1869.

Alachua County Public Schools has over 28,000 students.

West Palm Beach West Palm Beach is a city in Florida with a population of over 127,000 people.

West Palm Beach was established in 1894, making it one of South Florida’s oldest cities.

Every spring, West Palm Beach hosts Clematis Street is West Palm Beach’s famous downtown street, filled with shops, restaurants & live music.

SUNFEST

– Florida’s largest waterfront music & arts festival.

West Palm Beach has its own island called Peanut Island!

West Palm Beach is home to over 40 parks & greenspaces.

“The Orchid City” The School District Palm Beach County has over 159,000 students.

Lakeland Lakeland is a city in Florida with a population of over 124,000 people.

LAKE

Lakeland got its name from being home to so many lakes…38 to be exact!

Lake Parker is Lakeland was the largest lake established as a in Lakeland. city in 1885.

Many of Lakeland’s lakes are connected by a 26-mile path called the Lake-toLake Trail.

Lakeland is nicknamed the “Swan City” because of the large population of swans that live in the Citrus was once a major city’s lakes. industry in the area.

Swan Derby Day is a Lakeland tradition & community fundraiser.

Polk County Public Schools has over 111,000 students.

Kissimmee Kissimmee is a city in Florida with a population of over 84,000 people.

Kissimmee is a popular vacation destination due to its proximity to many theme parks.

Kissimmee was founded in the late 1800s as a small steamboat & cattle town.

Kissimmee is known for the Silver Spurs Rodeo – one of the largest rodeos east of the Mississippi River.

“The Big, Bold Heart of Florida” Kissimmee is home to a Historic Downtown District.

The School District of Osceola County has over 74,000 students.

Ocala Ocala is a city in Florida with a population of over 70,000 people.

Ocala is nicknamed the

Ocala is “Horse Capital of the World.” surrounded

by Ocala

National Forest - one of the largest national forests in Florida.

Ocala is home to over 600 horse farms & training centers.

Ocala became an official city of Florida in 1869.

Ocala has a designated Historic District with 200+ historic homes & buildings.

Some of the oldest buildings in Ocala were built between 1880 & 1930.

Marion County Public Schools has over 45,000 students.

Towns

SMALL TOWN

Mount Dora Mount Dora is a small town in Florida with a population of around 18,000 people.

Mount Dora is surrounded by three lakes – Lake Dora, Lake Beauclair & Lake Gertrude.

Mount Dora is home to one of the only inland freshwater lighthouses in Florida.

This inland lighthouse is located on Lake Dora.

Mount Dora sits 184 feet above sea level which is very high for Florida.

Over 30 festivals are hosted in Mount Dora every year!

Mount Dora was established as an official town in 1910.

Downtown Mount Dora is a National Historic District.

Lake County Schools has over 45,000 students.

SMALL TOWN

Apalachicola Apalachicola is a small town in Florida with a population of around 2,400 people.

Apalachicola is known for its rich oyster history, once supplying over 90% of Florida’s oysters.

Apalachicola is part of Florida’s Panhandle, a region known as the “Forgotten Coast.”

“Apalach”

The town was named “West Point” before being changed to Apalachicola in 1831.

Apalachicola is home to The entire land area only one main road & one of Apalachicola is less than two square miles. traffic light.

Apalachicola is one of the oldest port cities in Florida.

Franklin County District schools has around 1,200 students.

SMALL TOWN

St. Augustine St. Augustine is a small town in Florida with a population of around 16,000 people.

St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés.

The Castillo St. Augustine de San Marco is the OLDEST is one of St. city in the U.S. Augustine’s most famous landmarks.

The Castillo de San Marco was built in 1672.

Several MILLION people visit St. Augustine every year.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is located in St. Augustine.

Downtown St. Augustine is a National Historic District.

St. Johns County School District has around 51,000 students.

State Symbols

STATE ANIMAL

Florida Panther The Florida panther is the official state animal of Florida.

The Florida panther became the official state animal of Florida in 1982.

Florida panthers are a type of cougar – also called mountain lions & pumas.

Florida panthers are known for being excellent athletes – they can swim, run, jump & climb.

Florida panthers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn & dusk.

Florida panthers are recognizable by their brown fur, white bellies & black-tipped tails.

Most Florida panthers live in southern Florida, especially in Big

Cypress National Preserve & the Everglades.

Florida panthers can sprint up to 35 miles per hour!

Florida panthers don’t roar like lions – they chirp, growl & purr.

STATE BIRD

Northern Mockingbird The Northern Mockingbird is the official state bird of Florida.

The Northern Mockingbird became Florida’s official state bird in 1927.

5 states have the Northern Mockingbird as their state bird.

Mockingbirds got their name because they are famous for “mocking” or copying the sounds of other birds.

The Northern Mockingbird can be found in every part of Florida during every season.

Mockingbirds are known for being territorial.

Mockingbirds are a type of songbird.

Northern Mockingbird eggs are laid in early spring.

Unlike many other species of birds, the male & female Northern Mockingbirds look the same.

Mockingbirds can learn & sing over 200 different sounds.

Northern Mockingbirds eat mostly berries, seeds & small insects.

STATE FLOWER

Orange Blossom The orange blossom is the official state flower of Florida.

The orange blossom became the official state flower of Florida in 1909.

Bees are the main pollinators for orange blossoms.

Orange blossoms bloom in the spring – mainly during the months of March & April.

Orange blossoms typically have five white petals arranged in a star shape.

Orange blossoms grow on orange trees.

Orange blossoms are known for being extremely fragrant.

Some orange blossoms turn in oranges!

One orange tree can produce

THOUSANDS of orange blossoms every year!

“Citrus sinensis”

STATE SALTWATER MAMMAL

Dolphin

The dolphin is the official state saltwater mammal of Florida.

The dorsal fin is unique to every dolphin – just like fingerprints are for people!

The dolphin became Florida’s official state saltwater mammal in 1975.

Bottlenose dolphins are the most common type of dolphin in Florida’s coastal waters.

Bottlenose dolphins are known as the “friendly dolphins.”

Dolphins live in groups called pods.

Dolphins can hold their breath for around 10 minutes before they need to resurface for air.

Dolphins eat mostly fish & squid.

Bottlenose dolphins can swim up to 20 miles/hour.

Dolphins can jump as high as 15 feet out of the water!

Dolphins breathe through a blowhole located on the top of their head.

STATE MARINA MAMMAL

Manatee

The manatee is the official state marine mammal of Florida.

Manatees became the official state marine mammal of Florida in 1975.

The manatees found in Florida are a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.

Florida manatees live in warm, shallow waters like rivers, bays & coastal areas.

Manatees are slow swimmers, usually going 3 - 5 miles per hour.

Manatees are nicknamed “sea cows” because of their size & eating habits.

Manatees are herbivores – meaning they only eat plants like seagrass & algae.

The average manatee weighs around 1,000 pounds.

STATE TREE

Sabal Palm The sabal palm is the official state tree of Florida.

The sabal palm became Florida’s official state tree in 1953.

The sabal palm’s fan-shaped leaves are called “fronds.”

Each sabal palm frond can grow to be up to 9 feet long!

In late spring, sabal palms burst with tiny white flowers.

Sabal palms grow very slow.

“Cabbage palm” Sabal palms grow naturally Sabal palms’ big in Florida, leaves provide a safe Georgia, South space for many birds Carolina & the to build their nests.

Caribbean.

Sabal palms are very strong & can survive hurricanes better than most other trees.

Sabal palms can grow up to 80 feet tall!

Industry

Travel & Tourism Travel & tourism is one of the largest industries in Florida.

Florida welcomes millions & MILLIONS of visitors from all over the world every year!

Florida is best known for their beaches, theme parks & cruises.

Florida is a VERY popular destination for spring break trips.

The tourism industry employs millions of people in Florida.

Florida is home to 1,350 miles of coastline.

Orlando, Miami & Tampa are Florida’s most visited cities.

Florida’s year-round sunshine & warm weather is a BIG reason for its successful tourism industry.

Florida generally has the most tourists December - April.

Cruises Cruises play a major role in Florida’s travel & tourism industry.

More cruises set sail from Florida than any other state in the U.S. Miami, Florida is known as the

Florida is home to five major cruise ports: PortMiami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral, Port Tampa Bay & JAXPORT. Many of Florida’s cruises sail to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

“Cruise Capital of the World.”

PortMiami is the world’s busiest cruise passenger port.

Port Canaveral is the world’s second busiest cruise passenger port.

Agriculture

FLORIDA

Oranges Florida is the #1 orange producing state in the U.S. 90% of all oranges grown in Florida are processed into juice.

Florida is the orange juice capital of the U.S.!

Oranges have been grown commercially in Florida since the mid-1800s.

Florida’s orange season lasts 9 months from October - June.

Oranges are Florida’s official state fruit.

Most of the oranges grown in Florida come from the central & southern part of the state.

Florida’s main varieties of oranges are Navel, Hamlin, Pineapple, Ambersweet & Valencia.

FLORIDA

Watermelon Florida is the #1 watermelon producing state in the U.S.

Seedless watermelon are the most popular variety of watermelon grown in Florida.

Florida watermelons take around 3 months to grow from seed to fruit.

Around 30% of all watermelon grown in the U.S. if from Florida.

Florida produces around

1 BILLION

pounds of watermelon each year.

JULY National Florida’s peak watermelon Watermelon season is March through July.

Month!

Most of Florida’s watermelons are grown in the north/north-central part of the state.

FLORIDA

Tomatoes Florida is the #1 fresh tomato producing state in the U.S. Florida grows 50% of all fresh tomatoes grown in the U.S.

The University of Florida developed their own variety tomato called the “Tasti-lee.”

BILLIONS

of tomatoes are grown in Florida every year.

Immokalee is known as Florida’s “Tomato Capital.”

Tomatoes grow best during Florida's cooler months of October - May.

Round slicing & Roma tomatoes are the most commonly grown tomatoes in Florida.

Most of Florida’s tomatoes are grown in the southern part of the state.

The majority of Florida’s tomatoes are grown on family-owned farms.

FLORIDA

Strawberries Florida is the second largest strawberry producing state in the U.S. Plant City, Florida is known as the

Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.

Plant City has Peak Florida hosted its annual strawberry season strawberry festival is December through March. since 1930!

Florida grows

over 200

MILLION

Florida is home to around 15,000 acres of strawberry fields.

pounds of strawberries per year.

Florida strawberries are harvested by hand.

Due to very hot summers, Florida strawberry Florida strawberries plants have to are known to be be replanted sweet and juicy. every season.

FLORIDA

Sweet Corn Florida is the largest producer of fresh-market sweet corn in the U.S. Fresh-market sweet corn is a type of Palm Beach corn grown for human consumption.

Florida is home to over County grows over 37,000 acres of sweet corn.

50% of Florida’s Florida’s sweet corn. sweet corn Florida season grows lasts from yellow, October white & June. bi-color varieties of sweet corn.

Florida’s sweet corn is shipped all across the U.S. Florida grows over 500 MILLION pounds of sweet corn per year.

Florida’s climate allows many farmers to plant more than one crop of sweet corn per year.

FLORIDA

Dairy Florida produces over 300 million gallons of milk per year.

Lafayette and Okeechobee are Florida’s leading dairy counties.

Florida is home to over 1,000 dairy farms & 120,000 dairy cows.

Holstein cows are the ones with unique black & white spots!

Most Florida dairy farms are family-owned.

Florida dairy farmers recycle byproducts such as citrus pulp, brewers’ grain and whole cottonseed that are consumed by the cows.

Most of Florida’s dairy farms have herds ranging from 150-5,000 cows.

The average Florida dairy cow produces 6-8 gallons of milk per day.

Holstein cows are the most popular dairy cow breed in Florida.

Landmarks

Space Coast Florida’s “Space Coast” is one of the busiest spaceports in the world.

Florida’s “Space Coast” includes the Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral.

A spaceport is a place where rockets take off into space.

The Apollo 11 mission, which carried the first astronauts to walk on the Moon in 1969, blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center.

The first rocket launched from Cape Canaveral in 1950.

Florida’s Space Coast is home to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

“That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral are located on a piece of land called Merritt Island.

Daytona Beach Daytona Beach is known as the “World’s Most Famous Beach.”

Daytona Beach gets MILLIONS of visitors every year.

Daytona Beach has 23 miles of beaches.

Modern stock-car racing was started in Daytona Beach.

Daytona Beach is home to the

Daytona International Speedway, which hosts one of the largest stockcar races every year.

“Daytona 500” Sea turtles nest on Daytona Beach from May - October.

The Daytona Beach Main Street Pier reaches 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean.

Southernmost Point The Southernmost Point buoy marks one of the southern most spots in the continental U.S. The Southernmost Point is located at the very tip of the Florida Keys in Key West.

One of Key West’s main attractions is the Southernmost Point buoy.

Hundreds of photos are taken in front of the buoy every day!

The Southernmost Point is 90 miles from Cuba, making it closer to Cuba than Miami!

The buoy was built & installed in 1983.

The buoy sits only a few feet above sea level.

The Southernmost Point buoy is 12 feet tall & 7 feet wide.

Sunrise is said to be one of the best times to visit the Southernmost Point.

Amelia Island Amelia Island is the northernmost barrier island on Florida's Atlantic Coast.

Amelia Island has been claimed by eight Amelia Island is different nations throughout its history.

13 miles long.

“Isle of Eight Flags”

Amelia Island was named after Princess Amelia, daughter of King George II of Great Britain.

Amelia Island’s Fernandina Beach is known as the birthplace of the modern shrimpfishing industry.

Fernandina Beach hosts the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival every year.

Amelia Island has over 40 public beach access points.

Crystal River Crystal River is a famous spring-fed river known for its crystal-clear water & manatees.

Crystal River is known as the

Manatees “Manatee Capital of the World.” migrate to Crystal River in the wintertime Crystal River because the is one of spring-fed the ONLY water stays places in the warm yearworld where round. people can swim Crystal River with wild is located in manatees.

Citrus County.

Crystal River is fed by over 70 natural springs.

Three Sisters Springs is the most famous manateeCrystal River is popular for kayaking viewing spot in Crystal River. and snorkeling.

Fountain of Youth The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is a famous historic landmark in St. Augustine, FL. The park celebrates the legend of a magical spring that could make people feel young again.

The park has a re-created

Timucua village, showing how Native Americans lived in Florida hundreds of years ago.

The legend of the Fountain of Youth dates back to the early 1500s.

The Fountain of Youth’s water comes from a natural spring.

Visitors can drink the water from the Fountain of Youth’s natural spring!

Archaeologists have found artifacts in the park that are hundreds of years old.

The park opened in 1904.

Lake Okeechobee Lake Okeechobee is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the U.S. The name “Okeechobee” comes from a Native American phrase that means “big water.”

On average, The Herbert Lake Okeechobee Hoover Dike is only nine feet surrounds deep.

Lake Okeechobee to protect nearby towns from flooding.

Fishing is a very popular The water sport on Lake from Lake Okeechobee.

Okeechobee connects to rivers & Lake Okeechobee canals that is 730 square miles. flow south Lake Okeechobee into the touches 5 counties: Everglades.

Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach & Hendry County.

“Lake O”

Parks

Everglades NATIONAL PARK

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.

Everglades National Park covers 1.5 million acres.

Everglades National Park was established in 1947.

Everglades National Park is one of the only places in the world where alligators & crocodiles live together.

Everglades National Park is known for its cypress trees.

“River of Grass” Many people explore the park on an airboat!

There are nine different ecosystems in Everglades National Park.

Sawgrass in the Everglades can grow over 6 feet tall.

Biscayne

NATIONAL PARK

Biscayne National Park protects the northernmost coral reefs in North America.

The Boca Chita Key Lighthouse is one of the most famous spots in the park.

The majority of Biscayne National Park is underwater – made up of ocean & bay habitats.

Biscayne National Park has four main ecosystems the mangrove shoreline, Biscayne Bay, the coral limestone keys & the offshore reef.

Biscayne National Park was established in 1980.

Biscayne National Park covers around 173,000 acres.

Snorkeling & boating are some of the most popular ways to 500+ species explore Biscayne of fish live in Biscayne’s waters. National Park.

Dry Tortugas NATIONAL PARK

Dry Tortugas National Park is made up of seven small islands in the Gulf of Mexico.

The 7 small islands (keys) are Loggerhead, Garden, Bush, Long, Hospital, Middle & East.

Fort Jefferson Spanish is one of the explorer park’s main Juan Ponce attractions. de León discovered About 99% of the islands Dry Tortugas in 1513.

National Park is water, the remaining 1% is made up of its seven small islands.

The islands were named The park is home to a “Las Tortugas” protected coral reef. (The Turtles) for the many sea turtles found there.

Dry Tortugas National Park is located about 70 miles west of Key West, FL.

Silver Springs STATE PARK

Silver Springs State Park is home to one of the largest spring systems in the world.

Silver Springs State Park is 5,000+ acres of forests, wetlands, rivers & spring basins.

Silver Springs is famous for its incredibly clear, blue water & glass-bottom boat tours.

Silver Springs State Park is home to a group of wild (non-native)

rhesus macaque monkeys.

Silver Springs produces There are 15+ miles of hiking trails in Silver Springs State Park.

500+ MILLION gallons of water every day.

Silver Springs became Florida’s FIRST major tourist attraction in the 1870s.

Regions

Florida Keys The Florida Keys are a chain of over 1,700 islands off the southern coast of Florida.

The first island of the Florida Keys is Key Largo & the last island is Key West.

The five main regions of the Florida Keys include:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Key Largo & Key West are 120 miles apart.

Key Largo Islamorada Marathon Lower Keys Key West

The Florida Keys are worldfamous for snorkeling & scuba diving.

The Florida Keys are sometimes referred to as the “Conch Republic.”

The Florida Keys are home to the ONLY

living coral barrier reef in the U.S.

Many of the Florida Keys are part of protected parks & wildlife refuges.

Panhandle Florida’s Panhandle is located in the northwestern part of the state.

The Panhandle region got its name because it looks like the handle of a pan on a map!

Black bears live in the Panhandle’s Apalachicola National Forest.

The Panhandle’s coastline is known for its white-sand beaches & emerald green waters.

Tallahassee, the capital city of Florida is located in the Panhandle.

There are 25+ state parks in the Panhandle.

The Panhandle includes an area called the “Forgotten Coast” because it is a quieter, less developed part of Florida.

Gulf Coast Florida’s Gulf Coast stretches 600 miles from the Panhandle down to the Everglades.

Florida’s Gulf Coast is known for its white-sand beaches, calm blue water, sunsets & seashells.

Dolphins are often seen swimming close to the shore along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Florida's Gulf Coast has over 100 barrier islands.

There are 22 counties that are a part of Florida’s Tampa is the largest city in the Gulf Coast region. Gulf Coast.

Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to some of the BEST Sea turtles nest on shelling beaches Gulf Coast beaches. in the world.

Treasure Coast Florida’s Treasure Coast is located on the east coast of Florida, along the Atlantic Ocean.

Three counties are located along the Treasure Coast: Indian River, St. Lucie & Martin.

The Treasure Coast is home to the “Sailfish Capital of the World.”

People still find silver coins & gold on Treasure Coast beaches after big storms!

The 1715 Spanish Treasure Fleet is the Treasure Coast’s most famous shipwreck.

The Treasure Coast has a rich history in citrus farming.

AHOY MATEY!

The Treasure Coast got its name from shipwrecks loaded with treasure that sank offshore in the 1700s.

Food & Culture

Key Lime Pie Key lime pie is a kind of pie made from special limes grown in the Florida Keys.

Key lime pie is the official state pie of Florida.

The very first Key lime pie was made in Key West, Florida.

Every July, Key West, Florida hosts a key lime pie festival!

Graham cracker crust is the most common type of crust for key lime pies.

Key lime pie filling is made with key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk & egg yolks.

Key limes are a type of small lime that are known to be more tart than regular limes.

Key lime pie is topped with either meringue or whipped cream.

The world’s largest key lime pie was 13 feet wide.

Key lime pie is served cold.

Cuban Sandwich Cuban sandwiches are one of the most popular foods in Florida.

A typical Cuban sandwich is made on Cuban bread with roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, & yellow mustard.

Tampa & Miami have a friendly rivalry on which city makes the BEST Cuban sandwich.

The difference between Tampa’s & Miami’s Cuban sandwiches is that Tampa’s version includes salami.

Cuban sandwiches are often pressed on a hot grill called a “plancha,” which gives the sandwiches their signature grill marks.

The Cuban sandwich majorly took off in a neighborhood in Tampa, FL called Cuban heritage is a major part of Ybor City.

Florida’s culture.

Spring Training Florida hosts Spring Training every year for Major League Baseball teams.

Spring Training is the time during the offseason when Major League teams practice.

Florida hosts Spring Training as part of the Grapefruit League.

Florida & Arizona are the ONLY states that host MLB Spring Training.

During Spring Training, teams play in much smaller stadiums so fans can watch up close!

Florida has been hosting MLB Spring Training for over a century!

There are currently 15 MLB teams that hold their Spring Training in Florida: 1. Atlanta Braves 2. Baltimore Orioles 3. Boston Red Sox 4. Detroit Tigers 5. Houston Astros 6. Miami Marlins 7. Minnesota Twins 8. New York Mets 9. New York Yankees 10. Philadelphia Phillies 11. Pittsburg Pirates 12. St. Louis Cardinals 13. Tama Bay Rays 14. Toronto Blue Jays 15. Washington Nationals

Golf Florida is home to over 1,250 golf courses – more than any other state in the U.S. Naples, FL is often referred to as the “Golf Capital of the World.”

The World Golf Hall of Fame is located in St. Augustine, FL. Golf is one of Florida’s top tourism activities.

Florida’s first recorded golf courses opened in the 1890s.

Palm Beach County has the most golf courses in Florida.

Florida’s climate allows for golf to be played year-round.

Careful! Alligators are commonly spotted on Florida golf courses!

Florida hosts MANY golf tournaments each year.

Word Search

Manatee

Orlando

Space Coast

Key Lime Pie

Sabal Palm

Apalachicola

Crystal River

Spring Training

Miami

Oranges

Everglades

Gulf Coast

Tampa

Sweet Corn

Dry Tortugas

Panhandle

Tallahassee

Dairy

Lake Okeechobee

Celebrate Florida

Crossword Puzzle

Down: 1.

_____ is the oldest city in the U.S.

2. The Florida _____ is the official state animal of Florida.

3. The first rocket launched from _____ in 1950.

4. _____ National Park protects the northernmost coral reefs in North America.

5. _____ is the world’s busiest cruise passenger port.

10. 90% of all oranges grown in Florida are processed into _____.

Across:

6. _____ is one of Florida’s top tourism activities.

7. _____ dolphins are known as the ”friendly dolphins.”

8. Around 30% of all _____ grown in the U.S. are from Florida.

9. _____ is the largest city in Florida.

11. _____ is the only major city founded by a woman.

12. _____ is known as the “Manatee Capital of the World.”

13. The Florida _____ are a chain of over 1,700 islands off the southern coast of Florida.