Strange Facts about Florida
Florida is known as “The Sunshine State” for its tropical weather conditions year round. It was the 27th state admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845. Florida’s population is approximately 19 million people ranking it 4th in the country. The city is known as a tourist and retiree destination. But let's lift the lid on ten strange and interesting facts you may not know about Florida! Did you know……
1. Is It In You?
The sports drink Gatorade was named after the University of Florida Gators.
2. Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Every year thousands of Floridians gather at the Florida/Alabama border and toss dead fish into the neighboring state, in an event known as the Mullet Toss?
3. Gracias Spain!
Saint Augustine, Florida is the oldest European settlement in the United States.
4. Russian Roots
St. Petersburg is named after the Russian city of Saint Petersburg. The city was named by the founder of Florida who spent time in the city as a boy.
5. Who's the Leader of the Club That's Made For You & Me?
Disney World attracts more visitors than any other amusement park in the entire world.
6. Our Skin Thanks You
A Miami Beach pharmacist named Benjamin Greene invented the world’s first sun tan lotion by cooking up cocoa butter inside a granite coffee pot.
7. Fancy A Smoke?
Ybor City is known as the cigar capital of the world and employs approximately 10,000 cigar makers at over 200 factories. The city has produced as many as 700 million cigars at its peak.
8. Strawberry Shortcake Anyone?
Plant City holds the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the largest strawberry shortcake. The cake was revealed at McCall Park on February 19, 1999 and weighed in at 6,000 pounds and measured 827 square feet.
9. Lightning Does Strike Twice
Clearwater, Florida has the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita per year.
10. Plenty of Bling for Everyone
Platinum selling rapper Tramar Dillard goes by the moniker “Flo Rida” as a tribute to the state he was born and raised in.
Author: Sheila Martin
Publish Date: Mon, 02/28/2011 - 17:16
Categories:
Florida, Living in
