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Florida Facts and Trivia.

By: Phil C Click author's name for more of his/her articles

In 1987, the Florida legislature designated the American alligator the official state reptile. Long an unofficial symbol of the state, the alligator symbolised Floridas extensive untamed wilderness and swamps.

Miami installed the first bank automated teller machine especially for rollerbladers.

Ybor city was once known as the Cigar Capital of the World with nearly 12,000 tabaqueros (cigar makers) employed in 200 factories. Ybor city produced and estimated 700 million cigars a year at the industry’s peak.

Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, holds the Guinness record for the worlds largest strawberry shortcake. The 827 square foot, 6000 pound cake was made on February 19, 1999 in McCall Park.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a cable-stayed concrete bridge. Opened in 1987, the bridge coasts through the clouds at 190 feet above water. Its bright yellow support cables spread from the two centre pillars. The structure gives drivers an unobstructed view of the water during the 4.1 mile trip over Tampa Bay.

Nearly 80 percent of Floridas intake of Atlantic white shrimp is harvested in Amelia Island waters. Two million pounds of shrimp are delivered to Fernandina docks every year.

A swamp such as Fakahatchee Strand in the Everglades functions in three major ways as follows. First, its vegetation serves as a filter to clean the water as it makes its slow journey southward. Secondly, it is a major habitat for wildlife and plant life. Finally, it actually prevents flooding by slowing down the flow of river water after heavy rains.

DeFuniak Springs is home to one of the two naturally round lakes in the world.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens at Delray Beach is the only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to the living culture of Japan.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America because the city has 185 miles of local waterways.

Fort Meade is the oldest settlement in Polk County. It dates back to 1849 when a settlement grew up around the United States Cavalry for during the Seminole Indian Wars.

The Fred Bear Museum in Gainesville is a tribute to the accomplishments of Fred Bear, a promoter of proper wildlife management and the founder of Bear Archery Company.

The Hawthorne Trail, is a part of Floridas Rails to Trails programme and attracts many outdoor enthusiasts to walk, cycle or ride horseback through its 17 mile length.

Just North of Haines City is the Baseball City Stadium which is the Spring training home of the Kansas City Royals. Haines City is known as the Heart of Florida.

The city of Hypoluxos name comes from the Seminole expression “water all around” – no get out.

Islamorada is billed as the Sports Fishing Capital of the World.

Key Largo is known as the Dive Capital of the World.

Marathon is home to Crane Point Hammock, a 63.5 acre land tract that is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys. The area contains evidence of pre-Columbian and prehistoric Bahamian artefacts, and was once the site of an entire Indian village.

Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West was built between 1845 and 1866. Controlled by the Union during the Civil War, the fort was the home base for a successful blockade of Confederate ships that some historians say shortened the conflict by a full year. The fort was also active during the Spanish-American War, World War 1 and World War 2.

The first graded road was built in Florida was Old Kings Road in 1763. It was named for King George of England.

During the 1991 Gulf War, the busiest military port in the United States was Jacksonville. From here, the military moved more supplies and people than any other port in the country.

When first completed, in 1989, the Dame Point Bridge became the longest cable-stayed span in the United States, the longest concrete span of its type in the Western Hemisphere and the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.

The longest river sailboat race in the world is the Annual Mug Race. The event runs 42 miles from Palatka to Jacksonville along the St. Johns River.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: This article was written by Phil Cornish. Designer and owner of www.FloridaSunTime.com and www.DisneyvillasinFlorida.net, the Florida web sites providing Disney villas, villas in Florida, Orlando vacation homes, Disney vacation rentals, Orlando villas and also www.Simply-Florida.com our own luxury villa in Kissimmee.