Amazing Facts About Living in Florida

You think your state is amazing? Then you haven't been to sunny Florida...

Road tripping through the Northeast, you'll come across countless bumper stickers that implore you to "Keep Vermont Weird." Driving down into the Garden State, you'll find a magazine called Weird N.J. on the shelf of any bookstore (the precious few that are left). But there's plenty of weirdness to be had in the southern states as well, specifically Florida, where these incredible facts will either make you want to book a one-way ticket to Miami - or never dare to set foot on our swampy land.

Flamingos Are Florida Natives

Who says you can't find a native Floridian in Florida? Once believed to have migrated from the Caribbean, these elegant pink birds are in fact native to Florida. Even more fascinating, the flamingo population is increasing in Florida, much to the delight of tourists who get the opportunity to feed them at destinations like Sarasota's Jungle Gardens.

There Are Millions of Alligators in Florida

Much less popular than the pretty pink bird (for obvious reasons) alligators number in the millions in Florida, about 2 million by some estimates. These alligators pose a threat in fresh waters, which makes kayaking and swimming a no-no in many Florida lakes. Despite the reptile's staggering numbers, attacks are rare and should not be a cause for concern, especially if you're enjoying a day at the beach.

Daytona Beach, Florida

Palm Trees Can Live to Be 100 Years Old

In case you're still reeling from the number of alligators living in Florida, take heart that there are 2,500 species of palm trees in the world, and almost all of them can be grown on our strange peninsula. Plus, palm trees can live to be 100 years old, unlike alligators which only live about half that long. The sabal palm is the official state tree of Florida and has been since 1953. Shaped like a pineapple, the palm tree is a worldwide symbol of tropical vacations and relaxation. 

Florida Produces Almost All the Country's Citrus Fruits

Home to native oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and the very special Key lime, Florida produces 70% of the citrus fruit consumed in the United States. Groves keep busy harvesting fruit to be squeezed into orange juice, the official beverage of Florida. Even Florida license plates feature the juicy citrus jewel. Oh, and Florida's 74 million citrus trees make the alligator population seem downright tiny, don't you think?

You Can Wear a Bikini All Year Round in Florida

OK, so you probably already knew this fact, but it's still pretty amazing! With the average low temperature in January at a mild 61 degrees, you can slip into your swimsuit and flip flops on New Year's Day. That's not to say that it never snows in Florida. In fact, Tallahassee received its first snowfall in 28 years at the beginning of 2018. But such weather is a true rarity in Florida, where you're much more likely to need a two-piece swimsuit than a two-piece set of flannel pajamas.

So, what's your verdict about Florida? Weird, wonderful, or both?