FLORIDA - The state's name dates back to the early days of European settlement. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon named Florida in 1513 in honor of the Easter celebration in Spain (Spanish: Pascua Florida, or "Feast of Flowers").
During the Easter season, he arrived on the peninsula and saw the beautiful vegetation there. As a result, the entire region was named Florida, which means “the place where the tropics meet.”
For many years, it was believed that Orlando got its name from a soldier who gave his life protecting other soldiers in the Seminole Indian War as they camped outside Fort Gatlin. Other towns such as Fort Pierce, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers retain their names from their Seminole Indian War forts.
Today, Florida is known as the Sunshine State for its warm climate, rich agricultural heritage, and abundant natural resources. It is also a popular tourist destination and home to the world's largest alligator population.
The Sunshine State's 230 sunny days are a significant draw for tourists and business people traveling here from all over the world. It is a year-round vacation destination with an endless variety of activities, entertainment, and cuisine.
Countless nicknames have come to define the state of Florida. These nicknames are based on influential residents, Indian words used to describe the area and former governors.
For example, the Gold Coast is a group of coastal communities on the east coast of Florida, including West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. The Treasure Coast is the southeastern coast of Florida, including the Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties. The Lee Island Coast is a stretch of southwestern Florida consisting of hundreds of barrier islands, including Sanibel, Captiva, and Marco Island.
