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With the ocean at its doorstep and millennia of history behind it, Florida defies easy categories. Beyond the familiar perceptions of the Sunshine State is a sharper image of Florida, the part that pushes past the limits of what you thought Florida was.
Being positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico at a latitude just beyond the tropics has created the Florida most people know—the beaches, the balmy climate, the palm trees, golf, the cruise ships, and the theme parks that have people lining up from all over the world.
That’s one view of the Sunshine State. But take another look and you’ll discover a land of unexpected natural and cultural contrasts. A place where the sun rises over the Atlantic Ocean and sets on the Gulf of Mexico, where crystal springs bubble up from a lush interior of lakes and forests while vast swamps and marshlands meet the coast in a tangle of mangrove trees and dense Florida jungle.
You will also find an intriguing variety of communities here, from vestiges of First Nations and the Spanish Empire to the energy of the Caribbean and Latin America, the ideas and innovations of pioneers and the echoes of the Old South. This is the Florida waiting to be uncovered, discovered and savored. Welcome to Florida!
Connecting With Culture
Culturally, the state’s variety is staggering, from vestiges of Old Spain and the Old South in North Florida and the small-town charms and cowboy heritage of Central Florida to the blend of frontier Florida and the laid-back style of the islands in South Florida. At the same time, the state’s original residents are represented at ancestral Native American sites scattered across the state.
Trail Mix
If you’re determined to see it all, the Florida National Scenic Trail is 1,500 miles long and is one of only three such trails contained entirely within a single state. The trail is within an hour’s drive of most points in Florida and while it is mostly a hiking trail, users can also camp, swim, bike, ride horseback, paddle and picnic on some sections of the trail. fs.usda.gov/fnst
Another trail option is the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a 2,000-mile, self-guided highway route that connects and unifies 500+ birding and wildlife viewing sites throughout Florida—with 14 new additions in 2022-2023. floridabirdingtrail.com
Scores of other trails traverse the state, leading visitors to historic monuments, heritage sites and people who shaped Florida’s destiny. dos.fl.gov/historical/preservation/heritage-trails
But who says you have to walk or drive? You can paddle your way to Florida’s amazing geography and history. Local tourism bureaus can help you float your boat, or more information is available from the Florida Paddling Trails Association. floridapaddlingtrails.com