Located in the southeastern region, the peninsula state of Florida is the United States fourth largest most populous state. Census.gov: States Ranked by Population: 2000 (PDF)The "Sunshine State" was the 27th State admitted into the United States on March 3, 1845. Their widely used motto "In God We Trust" has never been formally adopted as the state motto by the Florida Legislature .

Florida has no state income tax and their state sales tax is 6%. The Tax Foundation research organization ranks Florida as one of the lowest tax states (In 2004 Florida ranks #45 among the 50 states). http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=95Research has found that over a 1,000 people move to Florida every day where there are 19 airports, with 12 being International and 1,800 miles of coastline. http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=95

Florida is known for its' American alligator and American crocodile population which can be found in extreme southern Florida such as the Florida Keys. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw230

This Southern State is also know for being a home to NASA. Space flights are launched from Cape Canaveral http://www.50states.com/facts/florida.htm and the John F. Kennedy Space Center is located in Kennedy Space Center, FL. Parts of the space center are also open to visitors. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html

In 1513 explorer, Juan Ponce De Leon discovers Florida when he possibly lands in what is to be believed present-day St. Augustine. He claims Florida for Spain. At this time is when any written records concerning life in Florida begin.

It was not until 1565 before Florida saw it’s first permanent European settlement, Spain, in St. Augustine.

Florida does not become a U.S Territory until 1821. Until Congress ratified a territorial constitution, General Andrew Jackson served as the military governor.

Two years later, on June 19, 1823, William P. Duval, Florida’s first civil governor, called into session the first Legislative Council. http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=95

Florida has three NFL teams: The Miami Dolphins, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as two MLB teams: The Tampa Bay Rays and the Florida Marlins. They also have two NBA teams: The Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic and two NHL teams: The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers.

1. Walt Disney World
2. Sea World
3. Busch Gardens
4. Daytona Beach
5. Universal Studios Florida

1. Bird: Mockingbird
2. Flower: Orange blossom
3. Tree: Sabal Palm
4. Fruit: Orange
5. Gem: Moonstone
6. State Capitol: Tallahassee