Facts About Florida Learning About US States in Special Ed

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Welcome to Florida

If you are teaching about the US states, here are some facts about Florida you may want to know.

Florida is located in the southeastern United States. It borders Alabama, Georgia, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.  Tallahassee is the capital.

Let’s learn a little more about this great state. 

And be sure to scroll to the end to get a free set of Bingo cards for Florida.

A brief history of Florida

Florida became a state in 1845 and was the 27th to join the United States.

Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer, named Florida. The name meant Flowery Easter.

In 1513, Ponce de Leon came to Florida looking for gold and silver. He didn’t find it, but instead, he found a rich, fertile farmland and much coastline he could use to ship things back to Spain.

In 1763, Britain took control of Florida from Spain. However, Spain regained control following the Revolutionary War.

In 1821, Spain gave control of Florida to the US in exchange for the area now known as Texas.

Florida officially became a state in 1845.

Finally, in 1861, at the start of the Civil War, Florida seceded from the US and became part of the Confederacy. It rejoined the US at the end of the war in 1865.

The geography of Florida

Most of Florida is a peninsula, a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. The Gulf of Mexico borders Florida to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east.

The other part of Florida is known as the panhandle and is bordered by Alabama, Georgia, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida has some large bodies of water. Tampa Bay is located in the central western portion of the state and is the convergence of several large rivers.

A little further south is Lake Okeechobee. It is the largest freshwater lake in Florida and forms the northern edge of the Everglades.

The Everglades cover 1.5 million square miles in southern Florida. They are a swampy marshland full of wildlife. When we talk about landmarks, we will examine this national park more closely.

Just off the southernmost edge of Florida, you will find the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys is an archipelago or collection of small islands. Over 1700 small islands are connected by a causeway and 42 different bridges.

Finally, did you know Florida is the flattest state in the US and has the second-longest coastline after Alaska?

Florida's resources and industries

Florida’s climate and fertile soil make it ideal for growing certain crops. 2/3 of this state is used for farming.

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, tomatoes, and sugarcane are significant foods grown in the state.

Almost all the oranges that make orange juice in the US come from Florida.

This state is also one of the country’s leading producers of corn and green beans.

Tourism is one of Florida’s leading industries. The state’s attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and numerous beaches, draw millions of visitors annually.

Finally, Florida is home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, making aerospace another important industry in the state’s economy.

Fun places to visit in Florida

If you plan to visit Florida, there are some things you will want to know and make sure you get to see. There are some fantastic attractions, and the diverse geography makes this state unique.

We have to start with the most popular tourist destination in the world: Walt Disney World. This amusement park, which opened for the first time in 1971, covers 40 square miles.

Fifty million people visit the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, 27 hotels, and 4 golf courses annually. If you go to Florida, you will want to see this fantastic destination located in Orlando.

Next is the Kennedy Space Center. A visitor complex allows people to explore the history of space exploration, view launch pads, and experience various interactive exhibits. You will also find the Astronaut Hall of Fame here.

You will also want to ensure you visit the Everglades. The Everglades is a national park in southern Florida that covers 1.5 million acres. It is home to many different plants and animals, including alligators, panthers, snakes, birds, and fish.

The Everglades is known as the “River of Grass” because it is mainly covered with water and sawgrass. Sawgrass is not a grass but a plant with long leaves with razor-sharp edges.

The Everglades is one of the most extensive wetlands in the world. A wetland is an area of land that is either covered or saturated with a layer of water all year long.

Finally, make sure to visit the Florida Keys if you go to Florida. The Florida Keys is an archipelago or collection of small islands. Over 1700 small islands are connected by a causeway and 42 different bridges.

Fun facts about Florida

Here are a few fun facts you might not know about Florida. The Orange Blossom is the state flower, and the Mockingbird is the state bird.

Clearwater, Florida, has the highest rate of lightning strikes in the US.

Key West has the highest average temperature in the US.

Florida is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist in the wild. Both can be found in the Everglades.

Finally, Gatorade, the popular sports drink, was invented in 1965 by researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville. It was initially created to help football players stay hydrated and replenish electrolytes during games.

Florida is a great state with a lot to see and explore. The next time you go on a trip, consider visiting this state and seeing what you can find.

To get a complete 2 week unit about Florida that includes:

  • 2 PowerPoints
  • Vocabulary
  • Bingo cards
  • Daily Activities
  • Picture recipe: No Bake Key Lime Pie
  • Assessment

Then check out the complete unit below.

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