Florida was named by the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León in 1513. He called the region "La Florida", roughly translated as Land of the Flowers. He probably chose this name because he was impressed by the many colorful flowers and because he sighted it on Easter, which is called "Pascua Florida" in Spanish. Ponce de Leon, in search of the elusive fountain of youth, was the first European to explore Florida. Statehood for Florida came in 1845 (27th state). St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States. Florida is one of the leading tourist states in the United States. Great stretches of sandy beaches and a warm, sunny climate make Florida a year-round vacationland. People enjoy swimming, fishing and water skiing in the inland and coastal waters. Major attractions include Disney World, Miami Beach, the Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys. Tourists may also visit historic sites that date back to the Spanish explorers.

GOVERNMENT:
Capital: Tallahassee
Governor: Jeb Bush, R (to Jan. 2007)
Senators: Bob Graham, D (to Jan. 2005); Bill Nelson, D (to Jan. 2007)
House of Representatives: 25 districts | Search by zip code

STATISTICS:
Population (July 2001): 16,373,330; National Rank: 4; Percent change since April 2000: 2.6%
Land Area: 54,153 sq mi. (140,256 sq km); National Rank: 22
10 largest cities (2000): Jacksonville¹ , 735,617; Miami, 362,470; Tampa, 303,447; St. Petersburg, 248,232; Hialeah, 226,419; Orlando, 185,951; Fort Lauderdale, 152,397; Tallahassee, 150,624; Hollywood, 139,357; Pembroke Pines, 137,427

ECONOMY:
Total Gross State Product 1999 (millions of dollars): 442,895; National rank:5: Percent change since 1990:71%; National Rank based on Growth Rate: 15 (Including Washington, DC)
Per Capita Personal Income 2001: $29,048; National Rank: 22 (96% of the national average)
State Exports 2001 (millions of dollars): 27,185; National Rank: 7
Agriculture: Citrus, vegetables, nursery stock, cattle, sugarcane, dairy products.
Industry: Tourism, electric equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, transportation equipment, machinery.