FLORIDA
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What's New in Florida?

For more information contact:
Henny Groenendijk, Canadian Public Relations
VISIT FLORIDA
hgroenendijk@thermrgroup.ca, (905) 338-7296

Florida, the "Sunshine State," offers visitors a wide range of vacation options unequaled anywhere else in the world. With more than 1,800 miles (2,898 kilometers) of coastline, its Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches are rated among the best in North America. In 2005, Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a Dr. Beach) ranked Florida’s Fort Desoto Park Beach, a short drive from St. Petersburg/Clearwater, the #1 Beach in the nation. Additionally, Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin -- also a short drive from St. Petersburg/Clearwater, was ranked #4. Not to be overlooked, a perennial Florida favorite on Dr. Beach’s list receives recognition in 2005 at #8 -- Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne near Miami. Dr. Beach is recognized as one of the nation's foremost authorities on beach quality & ratings. Once a beach is declared #1, it is retired from the Best Beaches survey. Florida is home to several previous national winners: St. Joseph Peninsula State Park (2002), St. Andrews State Recreation Area (1995), Grayton Beach State Recreation Area (1994) and Bahia Honda State Recreation Area (1992).

History

The promise of gold and eternal youth lured the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon to explore Florida from coast to coast in 1513. Florida's history comes from a variety of cultures – Native Americans, Spanish, English, French, African, and South America and Cuba and the Caribbean. Historical sites abound, from ancient Indian burial mounds to wrecked treasure ships. The first resorts in Florida actually opened in the late 1800s.

Significant Attractions

• Walt Disney World-including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM Studios & Animal Kingdom (Orlando)
  
• Universal Orlando-including Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure (Orlando)
  
• SeaWorld (Orlando)
  
• Discovery Cove (Orlando)
  
• Busch Gardens (Tampa)
  
• Everglades National Park (Naples/Marco Island Area)
  
• John Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo)
  
• Kennedy Space Center (Titusville)
  
• Resorts and beaches along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts
  
• Outdoor activities such as golf, tennis and fishing
  
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (St. Augustine)
  
• Art Deco District (Miami Beach)
  
• The Ringling Museum (Sarasota)
  

Climate

With sunshine as a year-round pleasure, Florida's comfortable climate has lured vacationers for more than a century. Average annual temperatures: Summer: 80.5°F/26.9°C in North Florida; 82.7°F/28.2°C in South Florida. Coastal winds provide pleasant breezes in summer months. Winter: 53°F/11.7°C in North Florida; 68.5°F/20.3° C in South Florida.

How to Get There

• Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport and Tampa International Airport all have regularly scheduled flights from Europe, Asia, South and Latin America.
  
• Cities with domestic airports include: Pensacola, Panama City, Fort Walton Beach, Gainesville, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, Naples, Sarasota/Bradenton, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Key West. Orlando,
  
• Florida's central city, is 229 miles (371 kilometers; 4 hours by car) from Miami;
  
• 140 miles (225 kilometers; 2 hours by car) from Jacksonville.
  
• AMTRAK rail line, Greyhound and Trailways bus lines offer stops throughout Florida.
  

Distances and Times

• Most of Florida is in Eastern Time Zone.
  
• Northwest Florida is in the Central Time Zone.
  
• The state observes Daylight Savings Time late April through October.
  

For additional travel information, call 1-888-7FLAUSA (U.S. only) or 1-850-488-5607; fax 1-850-224-9783. Internet site: www.visitflorida.com Media Information: www.media.visitflorida.org