Florida is the most south-east state of the USA having the Gulf of Mexico on the south and west, and the Atlantic on the east. It consists partly of a peninsula stretching for about 400 miles, partly of a long, narrow strip of land running along the Gulf of Mexico to a distance of 350 miles from the Atlantic coast-line. The peninsulaia about 90 miles in width, and contains about four-fifths of the total area, which is 59,268 sq. miles. The surface is in general level, rising little above the sea, especially in the southern parts, where it is almost one continued swamp or marsh. The northern portion is more broken and elevated, but the whole coast is flat. The principal river is the St John's, flowing northwards through peninsular Florida to the Atlantic. Its tributary, the Ocklawaha, has its course so flat that for a long distance it spreads out into the forest for half a mile or more on either side, so that nothing is seen but trees and water. The Appalachicola, Suwanee, etc, flow into the Gulf of Mexico. There are many lakes throughout the peninsula the largest being Okeechobee with an area of 650 sq. miles.
Numerous islands are scattered along the south and west coasts, the most remarkable of which is a group, or rather a long chain, called the Florida Keys at the southern extremity of Florida. The most important of these is Key West, containing the city and naval station of same name. The state produces tropical plants and fruits in great perfection, especially oranges, lemons, limes, shaddock, etc. The planting of orangegroves was extensively conducted in the 19th century and oranges are now a speciality of Florida.
The climate in Florida is in general excellent, and the state has long been frequented as a winter health resort for invalids, many large and elegant hotels being built for the accommodation of visitors during the 19th century. Florida, long in a backward condition, made great advances in prosperity during the 19th century.
The area was named by the Spaniard Ponce de Leon who sailed from France in 1712 in search of the fountain of youth. He spotted land on Easter Day and on account of the richness and quantity of flowers he saw named the land Florida. The land was explored by Narvaez in 1528, and by De Soto in 1539. In 1564 a settlement was made near Florida by French Huguenots under Laudonniere, but in the following year Melendez sailed from Spain to exterminate the heretics; and having founded St Augustine, in 1565, massacred the entire French Colony.
The Spaniards held Florida until 1763, when they exchanged it with England for Cuba. In 1783 England gave Florida back to Spain in exchange for the Bahama Islands. In 1795 the territory west of the Perdido was ceded to France, and passed into the possession of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.
During the War of 1812 the government of Florida was weak, and the State became a refuge for fugitive slaves and Indians. The Governor of Georgia sent a force against them, which increased the disorder. In 1818 General Jackson invaded Florida attacked the Seminoles and captured Pensacola, which was restored to Spain. Ceded by a treaty of 1819, which was not finally ratified by Spain until 1821, in 1822 Florida became a territory of the United States, and in 1845 it was admitted as a State.
From 1835 until 1844 the Seminole War resulted in their genocide and the removal of survivors to the Indian Territory - at the end of the 20th century the Florida Indians still considered themselves to be at war with the USA, having never signed a peace treaty.
In 1869 Alabama offered $1,000,000 for West Florida, and a popular vote in that part of the State voted in favour of the annexation to Alabama, but it was not accomplished.
Abbreviations
Gazetteer
Research Florida