Geography of Florida

Introduction to Geography of Florida

Florida, one of the Southern states of the United States. Most of Florida occupies a peninsula, bounded on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Straits of Florida, and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is bordered on the north by Georgia and on the north and west by Alabama. Northwestern Florida forms a panhandle fronting on the Gulf. The southernmost mainland point of the United States is Cape Sable. Even farther south are the Florida Keys, a chain of small islands and coral reefs. The southernmost island, Key West, is only 90 miles (145 km) north of Cuba.

Physical Geography

Florida is part of the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain region of the United States and is one of the flattest and lowest states in the Union. The surface has an average elevation of about 100 feet (30 m) above sea level.

Coastal lowlands cover most of the southern half of the state. Much of this land is poorly drained. The coastline, including all of the bays and inlets, is more than 8,400 miles (13,500 km) in length. Along the coast are sandy beaches, capes, offshore bars, and islands. Among the largest islands are Merritt, in the Atlantic, and Key Largo, one of the Florida Keys. Farther west in the Gulf of Mexico are the Dry Tortugas, a tiny group of sandy islands.

A rolling hill region, varying from 100 feet (30 m) to more than 300 feet (90 m) in elevation, extends as a narrow band across the panhandle and juts southeastward halfway down the peninsula. Much of the land is underlain by limestone, in which there are underground rivers, sinkholes, lakes, and springs. Florida's highest point, 345 feet (105 m) above sea level, is in the extreme northwest near the Alabama state line.

Although the state has few distinguishing landforms, it has a diversity of water features. Near the coast are many bays, coastal lagoons, tidal marshes, and swamps. In the south are the vast Everglades and Big Cypress swamps; in the north and extending into Georgia is Okefenokee Swamp.

More than 30,000 lakes dot the state, most of them in the hill region of northern and especially central Florida. Lake Okeechobee, in south-central Florida, is one of the largest lakes in the United States. Other large lakes include George, Istokpoga, Kissimmee, Apopka, and Tsala Apopka. Chief among the many springs is northern Florida's Silver Springs. The principal rivers include the St. Johns and St. Marys, flowing into the Atlantic Ocean; and the Escambia, Apalachicola, Suwannee, Withlacoochee, Peace, and Caloosahatchee, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

The climate is subtropical and humid. Summers are hot and winters are generally warm, especially on the southern peninsula. Average July temperatures vary from 80° to 84° F. (27° to 29° C.); average January temperatures range from about 52° F. (11° C.) in the northwest to 70° F. (21° C.) in the south. Because of the ocean's influence coastal areas are warmer in winter and cooler in summer than the interior. During some winters occasional cold waves of short duration enter the state from the north, causing considerable damage to crops, especially citrus fruits.

Florida has an abundance of sunshine; humidity is generally high. Annual precipitation, much of it coming as spring and summer thundershowers, ranges from 45 to 65 inches (1,140 to 1,650 mm), depending on the locality. Hurricanes occasionally strike the state.

Economy

Since the end of World War II, Florida has experienced one of the fastest rates of economic development and population growth in the nation. Many people and businesses have been attracted by the pleasant, sunny climate. The establishment of the Kennedy Space Center in the early 1960's spurred the development of the aerospace industry in Florida.

Tourism and related activities, however, are the mainstay of the economy in many parts of Florida. Specialized attractions are numerous and range from wild animal parks modeled after the African plains to Walt Disney World, a huge entertainment complex. Sandy beaches, marinas, and golf courses make Florida one of the most popular vacation and retirement centers in the United States.

Prior to the postwar economic boom, Florida's manufacturing industries were based primarily on the processing of farm, forest, and fishery products. Since 1950, however, the number of manufacturing workers has nearly quadrupled. Such cities as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa have attracted many of the new enterprises.

Florida has little heavy industry. The processing of food, particularly citrus fruit, provides the greatest number of manufacturing jobs. Other major sources of employment are the making of electrical and electronic products, aerospace and transportation equipment, and apparel and textiles. Other key industries produce chemicals, machinery, and wood and paper products. The Miami—Fort Lauderdale area is the state's leading manufacturing center. Tampa—St. Petersburg and Jacksonville are also major centers.

Farming is a highly valuable segment of Florida's economy. A great variety of subtropical and field crops are grown. Florida leads the nation in growing oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, limes, and tangelos. The chief citrus-producing region is central Florida. Other subtropical fruits include avocados, guavas, kumquats, and pomegranates. Winter vegetables for markets in northern states are grown in large amounts. Among the leading vegetables are tomatoes, sweet corn, potatoes, and snap beans.

Major field crops include soybeans, tobacco, peanuts, and hay. Sugarcane is raised on reclaimed land in the Everglades region. Tung nuts and pecans make up most of the large nut crop. Bulbs, nursery plants, and flowers are also grown.

Although crops provide the largest share of Florida's farm income, livestock raising has become increasingly important. Beef and dairy cattle are the chief animals raised. The Kissimmee valley is the primary grazing area.

The state's chief minerals, by value, are phosphates, petroleum, and stone. Florida leads the nation in the production of phosphates. Other substances mined in significant amounts are titanium, clays, and peat. Petroleum, first produced in the 1940's, is found in the Pensacola area and in the southwestern part of the peninsula, near the Everglades. Nearly half of the state's area is forested. Pines, which make up most of the forests in northern Florida, are the chief trees cut. Most of the state's forests are the result of reforestation, after excessive cutting had depleted the stock of commercial-quality timber. Pulpwood, lumber, turpentine, and rosin are the chief products. Commercial fishing is important in Florida. The state is among the top five states in value of production. The most valuable catch is shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobster. Snapper, grouper, mullet, and mackerel are the most valuable fish caught.

Major fishing ports are Key West, Cape Canaveral, Fort Myers, and Apalachicola.

Four Interstate highways serve the state; the main routes run north-south along the coasts and east-west across the panhandle. The chief railway routes extend from Miami and Tampa northward, linking most large cities on the peninsula. Amtrak serves a number of cities, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.

A part of the Intracoastal Waterway runs along the Atlantic coast to Key West and along most of the Gulf coast. It also cuts through the state via the St. Lucie Canal, Lake Okeechobee, and the Caloosahatchee River. Florida's leading ports are Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami.

Air service is provided by major domestic airlines and numerous international carriers, mainly those flying Latin American routes. Miami's international airport is the busiest of the state's many airports.

The People

Whites made up 78.0 per cent of the population and blacks, 14.6 per cent. Some Seminole Indians live in the Everglades region. People of Hispanic origin, many from Cuba, made up 16.8 per cent of the population.

Education

Florida's board of education consists of the governor and the cabinet—the secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer and commissioner of insurance, comptroller, commissioner of education, and commissioner of agriculture. The board supervises the state department of education.

Missions founded by Spanish priests in the 16th century were the first schools in Florida. The public school system was established in token fashion by the state constitution of 1868. A compulsory attendance law was enacted in 1915. Attendance is compulsory for children aged 6 to 16.

The state's largest university is the University of Florida, a land-grant school established in Gainesville in 1853.

Government

Florida is governed under its sixth constitution, adopted in 1968 and effective in 1969. The legislature consists of a Senate of 40 members elected for four years and a House of Representatives of 120 elected for two years.

The governor is elected for a four-year term. Other state officials, all elected for four-year terms, are the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer and commissioner of insurance, commissioner of education, and commissioner of agriculture.

The Supreme Court consists of seven justices elected for six years. There are 67 counties. Florida sends 2 senators and 25 representatives to Congress.