Florida Facts

Total Area 58,560 Square Miles
Total Land Area 54,252 Square Miles
Total Water Area 4,308 Square Miles
Rank among states in total area 22nd
Length north and south 447 miles (St. Marys River to Key West)
Width east and west 361 miles (Atlantic Ocean to Perdido River)
Distance from Pensacola to Key West 792 miles (by road)
Highest Natural Point 345 feet near Lakewood in NE Walton Co.
Geographic Center 12 miles NW of Brooksville, Hernando Co.
Coastline 1,197 statute miles
Tidal shoreline (general) 2,276 statute miles
Beaches 663 miles
Longest River St. Johns, 273 miles
Largest Lake Lake Okeechobee, 700 square miles
Largest County Palm Beach, 2,578 square miles
Smallest County Union, 245 square miles
Number of lakes, greater than 10 acres about 7,700
Number of first-magnitude springs 27
Number of islands, greater than 10 acres about 4,500
First Permanent European settlement St. Augustine, 1561, by Spain
U. S. Territory 1821
Admitted to US as State March 3, 1845 (27th state)
Capital Tallahassee
Population 1990 12,937,926 Rank 4th
Population 1980 9,739,992
Population Growth Rate 1980-90 32.83%
Number of Counties 67
Form of Government Governor and independent cabinet consisting of secretary of state, attorney general, comptroller, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, and commissioner of education
State sales tax 6%
State income tax None

Source: Atlas of Florida, Copyright© 1992, Board of Regents, State of Florida