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.