Ten Things About Florida You May Not Have Known
Florida is known for its sunshine, hot weather, beaches and amusement parks, But there are a number of other features about the state that tend to make it so unique. Here are ten of them.
- Three Interstate Highways start in Florida and another is completely contained in the state. Interstate 95 starts (or ends) in the Miami area and travels up the entire East Coast. Interstate 10 has its origin in Jacksonville and heads West across the Gulf Coast and Texas out to Santa Monica, California. I-75 meanwhile, starts in West Miami and ends at the Canadian border in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The state also completely encompasses Interstate 4 which starts in Daytona and ends in Tampa, Florida.
- It is the Nation’s Capital when it comes to toll roads and bridges. Florida has more toll roads and bridges than any other state in the country. Bring your quarters.
- Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. While four Alaskan cities top the list of the largest cities by area (Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell and Anchorage), Jacksonville is the largest in the lower 48 states.
- Both Miami to the south and Pensacola to the west are about 350 miles from Downtown Jacksonville, Florida.
- Of course, Florida produces an enormous amount of oranges, but the state is also known as major producers of cucumbers, watermelons, tomatoes and cane for sugar.
- No President of the United States was ever born in the Sunshine State.
- Florida has more golf courses than any other state in the U.S.
- Britton Hill is the highest natural point in Florida at 345 feet above sea level. It is the lowest, highest point in any state in the country.
- The easternmost point in Florida is in Palm Beach Shores. Any further east and you’re in the Atlantic….or Western Africa.
- Publix Supermarkets is the largest Florida-based company, employing some 200,000 workers.
Yes, Florida is known for sunshine, oranges and amusement parks, but just below the surface there are some interesting and little known facts. The sunshine state is worth exploring beyond its roller coasters and castles.
