Florida



Florida has become much more than a place for the northern "Snow Birds" to spend the winter, or for families to spend summer vacation at Disney World. The once tropical land of swamps and fruit groves has become an international hot spot for not only tourists but businesses and people looking to make Florida home. The state is filled with cultural, historical and just fun things to do and see. There are over eleven hundred miles of beaches to explore, which means if you walked a mile of beach a day, it would take two and a half years to travel the entire length of just the beaches.

The nation's oldest city, Saint Augustine, is not only filled with beautiful historic homes, inns and shops but is home to one of Ripley's Museums, an Alligator Park, many fine restaurants and gift shops with unique hand crafted items. The Castillo de San Marco, the stone fortress that sits at the water's edge was built in 1672 and still stands as a solid tribute to the Spanish settlers that built Saint Augustine almost one hundred years earlier in the style of traditional Spanish villages.

Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free black settlement in the United States, is located near Saint Augustine. The first Africans to the United States came with the Spanish explorers, not as slaves, but as artisans, seamen, navigators and adventurers. The Africans also worked along side the Spanish and Native Americans in the construction of the Castillo de San Marco.

Florida is well known for Disney World, but the "land of the mouse" has grown to four separate theme parks over the years. Along with the Magic Kingdom, there are two Universal Studio theme parks, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens (that has just gone through a major renovation), many water parks, Sea World, the Kennedy Space Center and dozens of aquariums, many of them with interactive exhibits where kids (and adults) can interact with manta rays, star fish, dolphins and manatees.

The state is an endless system of roadways that offer something for everyone, of every age. Art and architecture is found in the largest cities and the smallest towns; the long rich history of Florida is visible in the graceful old mansions, store fronts and hotels, and in the wide range of art that is displayed in the numerous galleries across the state. Tours and day trips include wilderness and bird trails, lighthouses, Native and African heritage exhibits. And don't forget the coastal highways and the Tamiami Trail that will take you through the middle of the Everglades where airboat rides will get you up close to the 'gaters.

The Keys are not only a must see because of the crystal blue water and fantastic sunsets. There is fishing, diving and sightseeing trips around the many islands and back waters. What a romantic way to spend a few days in one of the beautiful hotels or bed and breakfast inns that are scattered from Key Largo to Key West.

For those looking for a little more excitement and adventure there are deep sea fishing excursions offering the chance to catch the "big one". What about deep sea diving in the clear warm waters of the Keys where hundreds of colorful (and sometimes dangerous) fish can be observed? For a real experience how about wild boar hunting, the season is open year round. And there is an annual alligator harvest in the fall.

And, of course, there are world class golf courses, restaurants of every nation, for every taste. There are fine stores, theaters, music events and festivals that celebrate everything from old cars to kumquats. Florida is a state on the move not only for the tourist, but for those seeking to build a business or make it a place to call home.

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