Florida (FL) - Sunshine State

On a white field emblazoned with a red X and the state seal, Florida's flag represents the land of sunshine, flowers, palm trees, rivers and lakes. The seal features a brilliant sun, a cabbage palmetto tree, a steamboat sailing and a Native American Seminole woman scattering flowers.

• Origin of State Name:
  Named on Easter 1513 by Ponce de Leon for Pascua Florida, meaning "Flowery Easter"

Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.

Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States.

May 20, 1970 Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official state gem. Ironically, the moonstone is not found naturally in Florida...nor was it found on the moon.

Florida is not the southernmost state in the United States. Hawaii is farther south.

Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in North America.

Greater Miami is the only metropolitan area in the United States whose borders encompass two national parks. You can hike through pristine Everglades National Park or ride on glass-bottom boats across Biscayne National Park.