21 Fun Facts About Florida That Will Amaze You

By Joshua Green

Updated: Jun 12, 2024

3 min read

Fact-checked by Martin Panayotov

Reviewer & editor

Florida is one of the top tourist and relocation destinations in the United States.

Nicknamed The Sunshine State for a good reason, the warm weather, hundreds of miles of beaches, and world-famous amusement parks attract approximately 60 million visitors each year.

Be ready to be glued to the screen: here are 21 hand-picked amazing facts about Florida that you probably didn’t know until now.

1. Feast of Flowers

In Spanish, Florida means Feast of Flowers.

2. 1,000 Incomers Per Day

It’s been estimated that approximately 1,000 people move to Florida every single day.

3. 1,250 Golf Courses

Florida is golfers’ paradise. The state has more golf courses than any other U.S. state – more than 1,250.

The signature par-3, 137-yard, 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Universally known as the “Island Green”, it is, without a doubt, one of golf’s most recognizable (and toughest!) holes.

4. 75% Of All Oranges In The U.S.

Florida produces approximately 75% of all oranges in the United States.

Also, the state is responsible for about 40% of the world’s production of orange juice.

5. The Withlacoochee River X2

Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers with exactly the same name.

The Withlacoochee River (length: 115 miles, (185 km)) originates in Georgia and flows south into Florida.

The Withlacoochee River (length: 141 miles, (227 km)) originates in central Florida and empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

The word Withlacoochee is Indian and means “crooked river”.

6. The Lightning Capital of the World

With more lightning-related deaths and injuries than all other states combined (an average of 10 deaths and 30 injuries a year), Florida is also known as the Lightning Capital of the World.

7. The Most Visited Vacation Resort In The World

With 52.5 million visitors annually, the Walt Disney World Resort, located in Lake Buena Vista, is the most visited vacation resort in the world.

It covers an area of 66 sq. mi. (171 sq. km.), which is more than the area of the capital of the United States – Washington, D.C. (61.4 sq. mi. (159 sq. km.)).

8. The Oldest European Settlement in North America

Founded in 1565 by the Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the city of St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America.

9. The Venice of America

Fort Lauderdale is nicknamed Venice of America because it has an extensive network of canals – 165 miles (266 km) of waterways within the city limits.

10. The Most Bars Per Capita

Key West has the highest average annual temperature in the U.S. ( 77.8 °F (25 °C)), and more bars per capita than any other city in the country.

Smallest Bar in Florida — The smallest bar in Key West – two bar stools and space for no more than 6 people. There is no room for draft beer equipment either.

11. Let The Sunshine In (361 Days)

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the city of Clearwater holds the record for most consecutive days of sunshine in one year – 361 days.

12. The Deepest Freshwater Spring In The World

Wakulla Springs near the state capital Tallahassee is the deepest freshwater spring in the world (350 ft, (110 m)).

13. America’s Primary Rocket Launch Site

Cape Canaveral has been chosen as America’s primary rocket launch site because of its ideal location.

14. The Longest River Sailboat Race In The World

The Mug Race is the longest river sailboat race in the world and is held annually on St. Johns River.

The first boat to complete the 38.5-mile course is awarded the Mug Cup.

15. The Only Museum In The World Dedicated To Shells

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in the city of Sanibel is the only museum in the world that is dedicated entirely to the study of shells and mollusks.

Shells and Mollusks — Top Row (left to right) – Lettered Olive, Juvenile Conch, Jewel Box, Lightning Whelk; Middle (left to right) – Florida Cone, Paper Fig, Calico Scallop, Tulip Shell; Bottom (left to right) – Auger, Keyhole Limpet, Murex, Conch

16. The World’s First Scheduled Commercial Airline Flight

The world’s first scheduled commercial airline flight from St. Petersburg, FL to Tampa, FL took place on January 1, 1914, and was completed by a young pilot named Tony Jannus.