When you picture Florida, what comes to mind? Beaches, alligators, warm winters, and hurricanes are common associations, shaped by experience and what you’ve heard.
But beyond the well-known attractions and weather patterns, there’s a lot more to discover about the Sunshine State.
Drawing from information compiled about lesser-known aspects of Florida, we’ve put together a list of 24 facts that might surprise you. Some are positive, some present challenges, and others are perfect for your next trivia night.
Let’s dive into the lesser-known side of Florida:
1. The Underwater Guru
In June 2023, a Florida professor, Dr. Joseph Dituri, broke the world record for the longest time spent living underwater, totaling 100 days at a lodge in the Florida Keys.
As a scientist, his time underwater was dedicated to studying how the body and mind react to extreme pressure and isolation, with the goal of contributing insights for ocean researchers and long-term astronaut missions.
2. Golf Capital of the Nation
Florida boasts more golf courses than any other state, with over 1,250 to its name. For the highest concentration of golf courses within Florida, head to Palm Beach County.
Notable golf course names include Seminole Golf Club, TPC Sawgrass: Stadium, and Calusa Pines Golf Club.
3. Expensive Car Insurance
The state has the second-most expensive car insurance in the nation. On average, Floridians spend $3,945 annually on premiums, which represents about 5.69% of their income.
One reason for these high costs is extreme weather, as more insurance claims lead to higher future premiums for residents.
4. Second-Longest Shoreline
Florida holds the title for the second-longest shoreline in the U.S., stretching 8,426 miles. This is significantly longer than California’s 3,427 miles (ranking third) but considerably shorter than Alaska’s 33,904 miles (ranking first).
However, Florida’s beaches are noted for offering a pleasant experience with soft sand and warm weather year-round, unlike most beaches in California and Alaska.
5. Yes, There’s a Hill
While often considered notoriously flat, Florida does have hills, particularly in the Panhandle. Britton Hill is the highest natural point in Florida, standing at 345 feet. Interestingly, it also holds the title of being the lowest highpoint in the U.S..
6. Sinkholes Are a Major Threat
While hurricanes frequently make news regarding Florida’s natural disasters, sinkholes pose a quieter, yet significant, threat that many Floridians are quite familiar with.
Florida is identified as one of the most sinkhole-prone states in the U.S.. An area nicknamed “sinkhole alley,” encompassing Pasco, Hernando, and Hillsborough counties, is responsible for approximately 75% of the state’s sinkhole reports.
7. U.S. Lightning Capital
Contrary to some beliefs, Florida is not the lightning capital of the world (that title belongs to Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela).
However, Florida is the lightning capital of the United States. Central Florida experiences the most lightning strikes, averaging 83 flashes per square kilometer.
8. Agricultural Abundance Beyond Oranges
While ranking first in the country for Valencia orange production value, Florida also leads the nation in the production value of several other agricultural products, including bell peppers, floriculture, grapefruit, sugarcane, and watermelons.
Furthermore, Florida ranks second nationally for the production value of all orange varieties, strawberries, and sweet corn.
9. Second-Highest Mosquito Population
If you’ve visited Florida, you might think it has the most mosquitoes, but that distinction belongs to Louisiana. Florida ranks as the second-worst state in the U.S. for a high mosquito population.
Beyond being bothersome, Florida’s mosquitoes can be dangerous, potentially transmitting diseases like West Nile virus disease, equine encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis.
10. The Oldest City in the U.S.
Saint Augustine, located on the northeast coast, is the oldest city in the U.S.. Founded in the 1500s, it served as the base for Spanish Florida for over 200 years before British control. Jamestown, Virginia, founded in 1607, is the second-oldest.
11. Always Close to Water
Most people know Florida is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. But did you know that Floridians are never more than 60 miles away from a body of salt water?. Additionally, Florida boasts over 7,700 lakes and 11,000 miles of rivers.
12. Home to the Smallest Deer
Florida is home to the smallest deer in North America, the aptly named Key deer. These deer live exclusively in the lower Florida Keys.
They are an endangered species with a population ranging from 800 to 1,000, with humans (car crashes and development) posing the biggest threat.
13. Abundance of Parks
Florida ranks fifth in the nation with 191 state parks. It also has three national parks, tying it for fifth place with Washington and Arizona. Popular state parks include Wekiwa Springs, Honeymoon Island, and Little Manatee River.
14. Alligators Galore (Shared Title)
While Alligator Alley and warning signs are well-known, Florida shares the title with Louisiana for having the greatest number of alligators in the country.
According to Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries, both states have over one million alligators each.
15. Amusement Park Hub Magic Kingdom
Theme Park at Walt Disney World is the most visited amusement park in the U.S.. In fact, seven out of the top ten most visited amusement parks annually are located in Florida. California is the only other state represented in this top ten.
16. High Termite Diversity
Florida has a notably richer diversity of termites than most states, with twenty-one species, at least six of which are invasive.
The state’s damp, humid environment provides an ideal breeding ground. Termites can cause significant damage to homes, highlighting the importance of pest control.
17. Official State Food
According to Taste of Home, key lime pie is Florida’s official state food. Key West is believed to be where it was invented. The tartness from key lime juice is a signature element.
18. Anacondas Are Rare Encounters
Despite what some might think, it is rare for a human to encounter an anaconda in Florida. These are invasive constrictor snakes capable of being deadly under the right conditions.
However, the average Floridian will not encounter one in the wild; if they do, it’s most likely in central or north central Florida, not the Everglades.
19. Springs Paradise
Florida has more springs than any other state in the U.S., with geologists estimating over 1,000. Of these, 27 are first-magnitude and 70 are second-magnitude.
Approximately 90% of the state’s drinking water comes from these springs. Some springs are accessible for tourists to visit, including places where manatees gather in the winter for warmer water.
20. Largest Greek-American Population
Center Tarpon Springs is home to the largest Greek-American population in Florida, with over one in ten residents reporting Greek ancestry.
Greek immigrants also made the town famous for its sponge industry, and tourists can purchase real sponges harvested from the Gulf of Mexico.
21. The Palm Tree State
Florida boasts more palm trees than any other state, surpassing even Hawaii. However, only 12 palm tree species are native to Florida; many others originate from South America and Asia. Examples of native palms include the Royal Palm, Paurotis Palm, and Buccaneer Palm.
22. Crocodiles and Alligators
Coexist South Florida is the only place in the world where both American crocodiles and American alligators live together.
A key way to distinguish them is by their snouts: crocodiles have a more pointed snout than alligators.
23. Largest City by Area in the Contiguous U.S.
While not the largest by population like New York City, Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. Its area is 747 square miles.
When considering all fifty states, four Alaskan cities are larger: Sitka, Juneau, Wrangell, and Anchorage.
24. A River That Flows North
Florida’s St. John’s River is notable for being one of the handful of rivers globally, alongside Africa’s Nile River, that flow from south to north.
Water flows downhill due to gravity, and in the case of the St. John’s River, the elevation drops less than 30 feet, but the drop occurs in a northern direction.
Alicia Richards