Florida Vacation Guide System

Florida Fun Facts

Capital: Tallahassee

State abbreviation/Postal code: Fla./FL

Governor: Rick Scott, R (to Jan. 2015)

Lieut. Governor: Jennifer Carroll, R (to Jan. 2015)

Senators: Marco Rubio, R (to Jan. 2017); Bill Nelson, D (to Jan. 2013)

U.S. Representatives: 25

Historical biographies of Congressional members

Secy. of State: Kurt S. Browning, R (appt'd. by gov.)

Atty. General: Pam Bondi, R (to Jan. 2015)

Chief Financial Officer: Jeff Atwater, R (to Jan. 2015)

Organized as territory: March 30, 1821

Entered Union (rank): March 3, 1845 (27)

Present constitution adopted: 1969

Motto: In God we trust (1868)

State symbols:

flower	orange blossom (1909)
bird	mockingbird (1927)
song	“Suwannee River” (1935)

Nickname: Sunshine State (1970)

Origin of name: From the Spanish Pascua Florida, meaning “feast of flowers” (Easter)

10 largest cities (2005 est.): Jacksonville, 782,623; Miami, 386,417; Tampa, 325,989; St. Petersburg, 249,079; Hialeah, 220,485; Orlando, 213,223; Fort Lauderdale, 167,380; Tallahassee, 158,500; Pembroke Pines, 150,380; Hollywood, 145,629

Land area: 53,927 sq mi. (139,671 sq km)

Geographic center: In Hernando Co., 12 mi. NNW of Brooksville

Number of counties: 67

Largest county by population and area: Miami-Dade, 2,376,014 (2005); Palm Beach, 2,034 sq mi.

State forests: 31 (more than 890,000 ac.)

State parks: 159 (over 723,000+ ac.)

Residents: Floridian, Floridan

2005 resident population est.: 17,789,864

2000 resident census population (rank): 15,982,378 (4). Male: 7,797,715 (48.8%); Female: 8,184,663 (51.2%). White: 12,465,029 (78.0%); Black: 2,335,505 (14.6%); American Indian: 53,541 (0.3%); Asian: 266,256 (1.7%); Other race: 477,107 (3.0%); Two or more races: 376,315 (2.4%); Hispanic/Latino: 2,682,715 (16.8%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 77.2; 65 and over: 17.6; median age: 38.7.

In Florida, red tide is caused by microscopic algae (plant-like microorganism) called Karenia brevis or K. brevis. Red tide blooms can last days, weeks or months and can also change daily due to wind conditions. Onshore winds normally bring it near the shore and offshore winds drive it out to sea.

The organism produces a chemical that can affect fish, birds, mammals and other animals. Some people may also experience throat irritation and coughing while visiting beaches during a Florida red tide outbreak. Most people can swim in red tide but it may cause skin irritation and burning eyes in very sensitive people. If your skin is easily irritated, avoid red tide water. If you experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off with fresh water. Swimming near dead fish should also be avoided.

Other things to Know about Florida Red Tide:

Symptoms from breathing red tide toxins are normally coughing, sneezing and teary eyes. These are usually temporary when red tide toxins are in the air. If you have symptoms, leave the beach and seek air conditioning.

Commercial seafood found in restaurants and grocery stores is safe because it comes from red tide free water and is monitored by the government for safety.

Recreational fisherman must be careful; do not eat mollusks (clams, oysters, whelks) taken from water with red tide, as they contain toxins that cause a food poisoning called NSP (Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning). Finfish, however, that is caught live and Healthy can be eaten if filleted.

Use common sense! Harvesting distressed or dead animals is not advised under any circumstances. Edible parts (muscle) of other animals commonly called shellfish (crabs, shrimp and lobsters), are not affected by the red tide organisms and can be eaten. Do not eat the tamale (green stuff, hepatopancreas) found inside lobsters and crabs.

Florida’s oceans are also home to many creatures. Most are very harmless but some have the ability to sting and bite. Some of these stinging creatures that live in our waters include Portuguese Man-of-War, jellyfish, fire corals, stingrays, catfish, and sea urchins. It is important to recognize these animals and avoid contact. In most instances, the stings or bites do not result in harm to people but in some situations, the injury can be painful. Sensitive individuals can experience serious conditions.

American Alligators can get 17 feet, weighs 2,000 lbs and run 30 mph. The fastest man in the world is 6 feet tall, weight 200 lbs and can run 23 mph. You do the math... I think the alligator wins most of the time.

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