State overview
State Capitol: Tallahassee
State Nickname(s): “The Sunshine State”
State Anthem: “Florida (Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky)”
State Motto: “In God We Trust”
Population:
Population Density: 384.3/sq mi
Total Population: 21,312,211 (est. 2018)
State Bird: Northern Mockingbird
State Flower: Orange Blossom
History
Florida has a rich history as the first area explored and populated by Europeans. When the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León arrived in the area in 1513, he gave it the name Florida, which translates to “the land of flowers.”
Throughout the 15th and 16th centuries, numerous battles broke out in Florida as the French, Spanish, and English colonial powers fought over control of the region.
The Seminole Wars against the Native Americans and post-Civil War segregation both took place mostly in Florida.
In 1845, Florida officially became a U.S. state.
Major industries
- Aerospace and aviation
- Life sciences
- Manufacturing
- Security
- Information Technology
Government overview
Department of State
Address:
R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone Number: (850) 245-6500
Website: https://dos.myflorida.com/
Entertainment
Top 5 national and state parks
- Biscayne National Park
Phone Number: (305) 230-1144
Address: 9700 SW 328th Street, Sir Lancelot Jones Way, Homestead, FL 33033
- Dry Tortugas National Park
Phone Number: (305) 242-7700
Address: Accessible by ferry, charter or boat only
- Gulf Islands National Seashore
Phone Number:(850) 934-2600
Address: 1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
- The Everglades National Park
Website
Phone Number:(305) 242-7700
Address: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034
- Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve
Website
Phone Number: (904) 641-7155
Address: 12713 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225
Amusement parks
- Busch Gardens Tampa
Website
Phone Number: (813) 884-4386
Address: 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Website
Phone Number: (407) 939-5277
Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway, Orlando, FL 32830
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Website
Phone Number: (407) 939-5277
Address: 351 South Studio Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
- Disney’s Magic Kingdom
Phone Number: (407) 939-5277
Address: 1180 Seven Seas Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
- Epcot
Phone Number: (407) 824-4321
Address: 200 Epcot Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
- SeaWorld Orlando
Phone Number: (407) 545-5550
Address: 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
- Universal’s Island of Adventure
Phone Number: (407) 224-4233
Address: 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819
- Universal Studios Orlando
Phone Number: (407) 363-8000
Address: 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819
- Volcano Bay
Phone Number: (407) 363-8000
Address: 6000 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819
- Walt Disney World
Phone Number: (407) 939-5277
Address: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL 32830
Sports teams
Basketball
- Miami Heat
League/Association: NBA, Eastern Conference
- Orlando Magic
League/Association: NBA, Eastern Conference
Football
- Jacksonville Jaguars
League/Association: NFL, AFC South
- Miami Dolphins
League/Association: NFL, AFC East
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
League/Association: NFL, AFC South
Hockey
- Florida Panthers
League/Association: NHL, Atlantic Division
- Tampa Bay Lightning
League/Association: NHL, Atlantic Division
Baseball
- Florida Marlins
League/Association: MLB, National League East
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays
League/Association: MLB, American League East
Soccer
- Inter Miami CF
League/Association: MLS
- Orlando City SC
League/Association: MLS
Annual state fair
Florida State Fair
Location: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Highway 301 North, Tampa, FL 33610
Major cities
Jacksonville
Besides being the most populous city in Florida, Jacksonville is also the largest city in the United States.
In 1968, most of the metropolitan area’s residents moved into the city of Jacksonville, which is the county seat of Duval County. Nearly 900,000 people call this city and its surrounding metro region home, making it the most populous in the southeast.
Jacksonville has a major military presence and is home to Florida’s third-largest seaport and several navy and marine installations.
City Nickname(s): “The River City”, “Jax”, “The Bold New City of the South”, “J-ville”
City Motto: “Where Florida Begins”
Major industries
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Aviation & Aerospace
- Financial Services
- Information Technology
- Logistics
School District
Phone Number: (904) 390-2000
Duval County Public Schools
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (904) 630-7600
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (904) 630-0329
Address: 611 North Liberty Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Area Hospitals & Locations
- Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville
Website
Phone number: (904) 202–2000
Address: 800 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207
- Mayo Clinic Jacksonville
Website
Phone number: (904) 312-7105
Address: 4500 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224
- UF Health Jacksonville
Website
Phone number: (904) 244–0411
Address: 655 West Eighth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- Duke Energy
Website
Phone number: (800) 700-8744
Address: 2004 Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32603
- JEA
Website
Phone number: (904) 665-6000
Address: 21 West Church Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Municipal Water Company
JEA
Website
Phone number: (904) 665-6000
Address: 21 West Church Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Local Cable Companies
- AT&T & DIRECTV
Website
Phone number: (855) 293-7676
Address:
- 5635-1 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32217
- 1620 Oak Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
- 9498 Atlantic Boulevard., Jacksonville, FL 32225
- 4495 Roosevelt Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32210
- 7077 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205
- Xfinity
Phone number: (800) 934-6489
Address:
- 13141 City Station Drive #155, Jacksonville, FL 32218
- 13740 Beach Boulevard Suite 413, Jacksonville, FL 32224
- 11112 San Jose Boulevard Suite 4, Jacksonville, FL 32223
- 6331 Roosevelt Boulevard Suite 11, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
- Advanced Disposal – Jacksonville Residential
Phone number: (904) 421-7373
Address: 9798 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32221
- City of Jacksonville Solid Waste
Phone number: (904) 255-7500
Address: 1031 Superior Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254
Dump
- Girvin Landfill
Phone number: (904) 507-8948
Address: 645 Girvin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225
- Old Kings Road Landfill
Phone number: (904) 768-5363
Address: 8540 Old Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL 32219
- Waste Management – Trail Ridge Landfill
Phone number: (866) 909-4458
Address: 5110 US Highway 301 South, Jacksonville, FL 32234
Recycling Company
- Advanced Disposal – Jacksonville Residential
Phone number: (904) 421-7373
Address: 9798 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32221
- City of Jacksonville Solid Waste
Phone number: (904) 255-7500
Address: 1031 Superior Street, Jacksonville, FL 32254
Miami
As the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida’s most populous, Miami sits at the economic and cultural heart of South Florida.
The Miami metropolitan area is the 7th most populous in the United States, with a population of 6.1 million.
In 2012, Miami was designated as a “Alpha-level World City” despite its relatively small area of just over 56 square miles, making it the sixth most populous city in the United States.
The Port of Miami and a considerable number of foreign banks may be found in Miami, which also has the third-tallest skyline in the United States.
City Nickname(s): “Gateway to the Americas”, “Capital of Latin America”, “Cruise Capital of the World”, “Magic City”
Major industries
- Agriculture
- Finance
- International Trade
- Media & Telecommunications
- Tourism
School District
Website
Phone Number: (305) 995-1000
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: 305-579-6111
Main Fire Department
Website
Phone number: (305) 416-5400
Address: 1151 Northwest 7th Street, Miami, FL 33136
Area Hospitals & Locations
- Baptist Hospital of Miami
Website
Phone number: (786) 596–1960
Address: 8900 North Kendall Drive, Miami, FL 33176
- Jackson Memorial Hospital
Website
Phone number: (305) 585-1111
Address: 1005, 1611 Northwest 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136
- Mercy Hospital
Website
Phone number: (305) 854-4400
Address: 3663 South Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33133
- University of Miami Hospital
Website
Phone number: (305) 325-5511
Address: 1400 Northwest 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136
Utilities
Local Electric Company
Florida Power & Light
Phone number: (305) 442-8770
Address: 4200 West Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33134
Municipal Water Company
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
Website
Phone number: 305-468-5900
Address:
● 3625 Northwest 10th Ave, Miami, FL 33127
● 3071 Southwest 38th Ave, Miami, FL 33146
● 3575 South Le Jeune Road, Miami, FL 33133
Local Cable Companies
- AT&T Internet & DIRECTV
Website
Phone number: (855) 293-7676
- Comcast
Website
Phone number: (800) 934-6489
Address:
● 7404 Southwest 117th Ave, Miami, FL 33183
● 3164 North Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127
● 9251 West Flagler Street Suite 104, Miami, FL 33174
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
Waste Management
Website
Phone number: 305-471-4444
Address: 2125 Northwest 10th Court, Miami, FL 33127
Dump
- Dade County Solid Waste Transfer
Website
Phone number: (305) 261-4615
Address: 2900 Southwest 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33155
- Golden Glades Trash and Recycling Center
Website
Phone number: (305) 514-6666
Address: 140 Northwest 160th Street, Miami, FL 33169
- Sunset-Kendall Trash and Recycling Center
Website
Phone number: (305) 468-5900
Address: 8000 Southwest 107th Ave, Miami, FL 33173
- West Little River TRC
Address: 2900 Southwest 72nd Ave, Miami, FL 33155
Phone number: (786) 515-3027
Recycling Company
Waste Management
Phone number: 305-471-4444
Address: 2125 Northwest 10th Court, Miami, FL 33127
Orlando
The city of Orlando, Florida, serves as the county seat for Orange County and serves as the regional hub for the greater Orlando metropolitan area.
Population estimates put Orland’s population at 288,257.
Orland is the third-largest city in Florida, yet it attracts more tourists than any other city in the globe because it is home to several major theme parks, including Disney World and Universal Studios.
City Nickname(s): “The Theme Park Capital of the World”, “The City Beautiful”
Major industries
- Aerospace & Defense
- Technology
- Tourism
School Districts
Phone Number: 407-317-3200
Orange County Public Schools
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (407) 246-2470
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (407) 246-3473
Address: 78 West Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32801
Area Hospitals & Locations
- Florida Hospital
Website
Phone number: (407) 303–6611
Address: 601 East Rollins Street, Orlando, FL 32803-1248
- Orlando Regional Medical Center
Website
Phone number: (407) 841–5111
Address: 52 West Underwood Street, Orlando, FL 32806
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- Duke Energy
Website
Phone number: (800) 700-8744
Address: 3250 Bonnet Creek Road, Orlando, FL 32830
- OUC-Orlando Utilities Commission
Website
Phone number: (407) 423-9018
Address:
- 3800 Gardenia Ave, Orlando, FL 32839
- 100 West Anderson Street, Orlando, FL 32801
- 6003 Pershing Ave, Orlando, FL 32822
Municipal Water Company
- Orange County Water Division
Website
Phone number: (407) 254-9850
Address: 9150 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32825
- OUC-Orlando Utilities Commission
Website
Phone number: (407) 423-9018
Address:
- 3800 Gardenia Ave, Orlando, FL 32839
- 100 West Anderson Street, Orlando, FL 32801
- 6003 Pershing Ave, Orlando, FL 32822
Local Cable Companies
- Spectrum
Website
Phone number: (855) 222-0102
Address:
- 3767 All American Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32810
- 1906 South Semoran Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32822
- 2351 Investors Row, Orlando, FL 32837
- Summit Broadband
Phone number: (407) 996-8900
Address: 4558 35th Street, Orlando, FL 32811
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
- Orange County Solid Waste
Website
Phone number:
- (407) 246-2314
- (407) 836-6601
Address:
- 5901 Young Pine Road, Orlando, FL 32829
- 5120 L B McLeod Road, Orlando, FL 32811
- Orlando Solid Waste Management
Website
Phone number: (407) 246-2314
Address: 3855, 1028 Woods Ave, Orlando, FL 32805
Dump
- McLeod Road Transfer Station
Website
Phone number: (407) 245-0931
Address: 5000 L B McLeod Road, Orlando, FL 32811
- Orange County Landfill
Phone number: (407) 836-6601
Address: 5901 Young Pine Road, Orlando, FL 32829
- Porter Transfer Station
Phone number: (407) 296-5198
Address: 1326 Good Homes Road, Orlando, FL 32818
Recycling Company
- Orange County Solid Waste
Phone number:
- (407) 246-2314
- (407) 836-6601
Address:
- 5901 Young Pine Road, Orlando, FL 32829
- 5120 L B McLeod Road, Orlando, FL 32811
- Orlando Solid Waste Management
Phone number: (407) 246-2314
Address: 3855, 1028 Woods Ave, Orlando, FL 32805
Tallahassee
Tallahassee serves as both Leon county’s and Florida state’s capital. Tallahassee was established as the capital of the newly formed “Florida Territory” in 1824.
It is the largest city in the Panhandle and the seventh most populous city in Florida.
Tallahassee is also a major hub for commerce and agriculture in the Florida Big Bend and Southwest Georgia regions.
City Motto: “Florida’s Capital City”
Major industries
- Education
- Food Processing
- Government
- Lumber
- Printing & Publishing
School District
Phone Number: (850) 487-7100
Leon County Schools
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (850) 891-4200
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (850) 891-6600
Address: 327 North Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Area Hospitals & Locations
- Capital Regional Medical Center
Website
Phone number: (850) 325-5000
Address: 2626 Capital Medical Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32308
- Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare
Phone number: 850-431-1155
Address: 1300 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- City of Tallahassee Electric
Phone number: (850) 891-4968
Address: 435 North Macomb Street #116, Tallahassee, FL 32301
- Duke Energy
Phone number: (800) 700-8744
Address: 23 Millender Lane, Crawfordville, FL 32327
- Gulf Power Company
Phone number: (850) 224-6199
Address: 1804, 215 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
- Talquin Electric Co-Op
Phone number: (850) 893-6853
Address: 6724 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312
Municipal Water
City of Tallahassee Water Utilities
Website
Phone number: (850) 891-4968
Address: 435 North Macomb Street #116, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Local Cable Companies
- DIRECTV
Website
Phone number: (855) 802-3473
- Xfinity
Website
Phone number: (888) 266-2278
Address: 214-1 South Magnolia Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
Tallahassee Solid Waste Services
Website
Phone number: (850) 891-5450
Address: 2727 Municipal Way, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Dump
Leon County Solid Waste Management
Website
Phone number: (850) 606-1800
Address: 7550 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32311
Recycling Company
Marpan Container Services
Phone number: (850) 224-9353
Address: 215 East Pershing Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Tampa
Located on Florida’s western coast, Tampa serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. There is the largest bay port in Florida right here in Tampa, the main city in the Tampa Bay Area.
The four counties that make up the Tampa Bay Area are home to an estimated four million people.
The annual growth rate for this metropolitan region is 2.47%, which equates to an increase of roughly 100,000 people. Almost 400,000 people call the city of Tampa their permanent home.
Major industries
- Avionics, Defense, Marine Electronics
- Business & Information Services
- Financial Services
- Manufacturing (Microelectronics & Medical Devices)
- Marine Sciences
- Port/Maritime
- Tourism
City Nickname(s): “Lightning Capital of the World”, “City of Champions”, “Cigar City”, “The Big Guava”, “America’s Next Greatest City”
School District
Phone Number: (813) 272-4000
Hillsborough County Public School
Local Police Numbers
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency: (813) 276-3200
Main Fire Department
Phone number: (813) 274-7011
Address: 808 East Zack Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Area Hospitals & Locations
- St. Joseph’s Hospital
Phone number: (813) 870-4000
Address: 3001 West Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607
- Tampa General
Phone number: (813) 844-7000
Address: 1 Tampa General Circle, Tampa, FL 33606
Utilities
Local Electric Company
- Duke Energy
Phone number: (800) 700-8744
Address: 299 1st Ave North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Tampa Electric Company
Phone number: 813-223-0800
Address: 820 South 78th Street, Tampa, FL 33619
- Teco Energy Inc.
Phone number: (813) 223-0800
Address: 1898 Nuccio Parkway, Tampa, FL 33605
Municipal Water Company
- Hillsborough County Public Utilities
Phone number: (813) 272-5977
Address: 925 East Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- Tampa Water Department
Website
Phone number: (813) 274-8811
Address: 306 East Jackson Street #5E, Tampa, FL 33602
Local Cable Companies
- DIRECTV
Phone number: (855) 802-3473
- Frontier
Website
Phone number: (800) 921-8101
Address: 610 East Zack Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- Spectrum
Phone number: (866) 874-2389
Address:
- 108 South 12th Street, Tampa, FL 33602
- 4540 South Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33611
- 5214 West Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, FL 33624
Local Waste/Dump/Recycle
Waste
- City of Tampa-Solid Waste
Phone number: (813) 348-1146
Address: 4010 West Spruce Street, Tampa FL 33607
- Waste Connections Tampa
Phone number: (813) 248-3802
Address: 5135 Madison Ave, Tampa, FL 33619
Dump
McKay Bay Scalehouse
Address: 112 South 34th Street, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone number: (813) 242-5320
Recycling Company
- City of Tampa-Solid Waste
Phone number: (813) 348-1146
Address: 4010 West Spruce Street, Tampa FL 33607
- Waste Connections Tampa
Phone number: (813) 248-3802
Address: 5135 Madison Ave, Tampa, FL 33619