Florida Information
Florida Facts
- Year Established: Florida became the 27th state to join the Union on March 3, 1845.
- State Capital: The capital of Florida is Tallahassee, chosen in 1824 due to its central location between the then-largest cities, Pensacola and St. Augustine.
- State Song: Florida’s state song is "Old Folks at Home" (also known as "Swanee River"), written by Stephen Foster in 1851.
- State Nickname: Florida is known as "The Sunshine State," symbolizing its warm weather and sunny climate.
- State Bird: The Northern Mockingbird is Florida's state bird, known for its beautiful song and ability to mimic other birds.
- State Flower: The state flower of Florida is the Orange Blossom, representing Florida's importance in citrus production.
- State Tree: The Sabal Palm is the state tree of Florida and thrives throughout the state, symbolizing resilience and tropical beauty.
- State Marine Mammal: The West Indian Manatee, known for its gentle nature, is the official marine mammal of Florida and can often be seen in the state's freshwater springs and coastal waters.
- State Reptile: The American Alligator is Florida's state reptile, a nod to the state’s unique ecosystems and native wildlife, particularly in the Everglades.
- State Gem: The Moonstone is Florida's state gem, chosen to honor the state’s involvement in the Apollo space missions, though moonstones are not naturally found in the state.
State and County Information
Below are some helpful links for state and county info.