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Florida Quick Facts @ Florida OCHP Florida Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Geographical facts

  • Total Area - 58,560 square miles

  • Total land area - 54,136 square miles

  • Total water area - 4,424 square miles

  • Rank among states in total area - 22nd

  • Length north and south - 447 miles (St. Marys River to Key West)

  • Width east and west - 361 miles (Atlantic Ocean to Perdido River)

  • Distance from Pensacola to Key West - 792 miles (by road)

  • Highest Natural Point - 345 feet

  • Geographic Center - 12 miles northwest of Brooksville, Hernando County

  • Coastline - 1,197 statute miles

  • Tidal shoreline (general) - 2,276 statute miles

  • Beaches - 663 miles

  • Longest River - St. Johns, 273 miles

  • Largest Lake - Lake Okeechobee, 700 square miles

  • Largest county - Palm Beach, 2,578 square miles

  • Smallest county - Union, 245 square miles

  • Number of lakes (greater than 10 acres) - about 7,700

  • Number of first-magnitude springs - 33

  • Number of islands (greater than 10 acres) - about 4,500

    Historical facts

  • First permanent European settlement - 1565, St. Augustine, by Spain

  • Acquired from Spain as a U.S. Territory - 1821

  • Admitted as 27th state of the U.S. - March 3, 1845

    Current facts

  • Capital - Tallahassee

  • Population 2006 (estimate) - 18,089,889 (Rank 4th)

  • Population 2005 (estimate) - 17,789,864 (Rank 4th)

  • Population 2004 (estimate) - 17,397,161 (Rank 4th)

  • Population 2000 - 15,982,378 (Rank 4th)

  • Population 1990 - 12,937,926

  • Population 1980 - 9,739,992

  • Population growth rate 2000-2006 (estimate) - 13.2%

  • Population growth rate 1990-2000 - 23.53%

  • Most populous metropolitan area 2003 - Miami-Ft. Lauderdale: 5,289,000 (estimate - Ranked 6th in the US)

  • Most populous metropolitan area 2000 - Miami-Ft. Lauderdale: 3,876,380

  • Most populous County 2005 - Miami-Dade County: 2,376,014 (estimate)

  • Most populous County 2006 - Miami-Dade County: 2,402,208 (estimate)

  • Number of counties - 67

  • Form of government - Governor and cabinet consisting of Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture

  • State sales tax - 6%

  • State income tax - None

  • Legislature - 120 house districts, 40 senate districts, 25 congressional districts

    Sources:
    US Census Bureau
    The Florida Handbook, Allen Morris. © 2003.