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Florida: State Flag, Bird and Facts

The northern mockingbird is the state bird of Florida, and the orange blossom is the state flower.

Capital
Tallahassee
Nickname
The Sunshine State
State bird
Northern mockingbird
State flower
Orange blossom
State tree
Sabal palm
Admitted
March 3, 1845
Population
21,538,187 (2020 census)
Motto
In God We Trust
Region
South
Area
170,304 km² (65,755 sq mi)
Highest point
Britton Hill (345 ft)

About Florida

About two-thirds of Florida is a long peninsula poking out into warm water, with the Gulf on one side and the Atlantic on the other. No other state touches both, and its coastline runs about 1,350 miles, the longest among the contiguous states. Over 23 million people live here. Jacksonville is the largest city, the Miami area is the biggest metro, and Tallahassee is the capital.

People have lived on this land for at least 14,000 years. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed in 1513 and named it for the Easter season and its green scenery. The flag shows a red diagonal cross on white with the state seal at its center. It was adopted in 1900 and changed only once, in 1985, when the seal was standardized. Florida joined the Union in 1845.

Did you know?

  • Britton Hill is the highest point in Florida, and it is just 345 feet tall.
  • The sabal palm is the official state tree of Florida.
  • Florida's flag is one of three state flags that include the words In God We Trust.

Questions about Florida

What is Florida's nickname?

Florida's official nickname is The Sunshine State, and it appears on license plates.

When did Florida become a state?

Florida was admitted to the Union on March 3, 1845.

Other South states

Sources

Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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