United States » Florida

Florida is a U.S state located in the southeastern United States. It was named by Juan Ponce De Leon, who landed on the coast on April 2, 1513, during Pascua Florida (Spanish for "Flowery Easter", referring to the Easter season). Florida is situated mostly on a large peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. As of 2005, Florida has an estimated population of 17,789,864, which is an increase of 404,434, or 2.3%, from the prior year and an increase of 1,807,040, or 11.3%, since the year 2000.

Historically, Florida's economy was based upon cattle farming and agriculture (especially sugar cane, citrus, tomatoes, and strawberries). As land speculators discovered Florida in the early 1900's, and when Plant and Flagler developed the railway systems, more people moved in, drawn by the usually good weather. From then on, tourism boomed, fueling a cycle of development and tourism that overwhelmed a great deal of farmland. 

Florida is mostly Protestant, with a growing Roman Catholic community due to immigration. There is also a sizable Jewish community in some parts of Florida.

Until the mid-twentieth century, Florida was the least populous Southern state. However, migration from the Rust Belt combined with Florida's warm climate (tempered by the growing availability of air conditioning) made it a haven for newcomers. Today, Florida is the most populous state in the South besides Texas and the fourth most populous in the U.S.