Warm to hot temperatures are experienced for most of the year. Temperatures at the coast are usually milder, especially during winter. Because of the climate and proximity to the sea, water sports such as scuba diving, surfing and water-skiing are very popular.

With Cuba only 145 km (90 miles) away, this state has a distinctive Latin American feel. Its cultural diversity gives Florida a cosmopolitan atmosphere in which most people feel at home. English is the official language, but, as Florida has the largest number of Cuban emigrants in the United States, Spanish is also commonly spoken.

Things to Do
Miami not only has numerous sights worth visiting, but also offers novel ways of doing so. Visit any of its museums, parks, famous churches, beaches or historic buildings by foot, water taxi, bus or helicopter, or take a rollerblading tour of the attractions. Information about these services can be obtained from any local tourist office or information centre.

Places of Interest
The city centre is situated in downtown Miami. This part of the city is a bustling hive of activity until late at night, with business people and those just moving through. The Metro­Dade Cultural Centre is a striking Mediterranean­style post­modern piazza designed by Philip Johnson. Designed to act as an arts and cultural centre for Miami, it houses the Center for Fine Arts, the Miami Public Library and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

Northeast of the centre lies the Port of Miami, one of the world's largest freight terminals, and reportedly the largest passenger­ship port in the world. For a fascinating alternative history of Miami visit the City of Miami Cemetery. It is advisable to follow one of the guided tours as this area is not one of the safest. About one­third of the 170,000 Haitians in Miami stay in Little Haiti, north of 42nd Street. This colourful area has the Caribbean Marketplace as its centre. Nearby is the American Police Hall of Fame and Museum dedicated to the history of the Police Force in Florida.

Further south is Brickell Avenue, Miami's 'millionaire's row'. Now the base of the largest group of international banks in the United States, these grand old buildings used to be the houses of Miami's rich and famous. Little Havana, west of downtown Miami, is the traditional first base for Cubans immigrating to Florida, and accordingly has a strong Latin­American character. The Calle Ocho is the centre of this area; wandering down its quiet streets you can sample Cuban cooking at any of the restaurants. If you like playing chess, be sure to visit the Maximo Lopez Domino Park.

One of the most beautiful districts of Miami, Coral Gables was finished in 1921 and is still famous for its graceful Spanish and Italian architecture. Its business centre, the Miracle Mile, is one of the more exclusive shopping areas in Florida. The Lowe Art Museum, which is situated in the grounds of the University of Miami, is worth a visit. It houses an extensive collection of American and European artwork.

Coconut Grove, a fashionable neighbourhood near Coral Gables, is where you will find the Villa Viscaya. The villa was built in 1914 by James Deering, with the intention that it look at least 400 years old. The resulting 72­room Italian­style palace and its gardens are worth a visit. Just across the street, the Space Transit Planetarium has rock music laser shows during weekends. Next door, the Museum of Science has a number of interesting exhibits geared towards the whole family.

The Parrot Jungle in South Miami has a large collection of tropical birds, with their cages set in beautifully­laid­out gardens. The nearby Metrozoo also has an extensive collection of animals. Further south you will find Homestead, a more rural part of Miami. The Florida Pioneer Museum is situated here, and is dedicated to the founders of the state. The Coral Castle is a must for anyone visiting this area. Giant coral sculptures of tables, chairs and beds occupy the building, and it has a 9­ton stone gate so deftly hung that you can move it with one finger.

To the north of Homestead lies the Biscayne National Park, where visitors can view living coral, tropical fish, and numerous other sea creatures in their natural habitat. This is usually done in glass­bottomed boats, but snorkelling trips are also available. Five miles off the Miami shore lies Key Biscane, a small, exclusive community where the American rich and prominent have their holiday homes. One of the main attractions here is the Seaquarium marine park where visitors can watch dolphins and killer whales perform.

Things to Do
After the success of Disney World the area became a hive of theme parks. Some, like Ripley's Believe It or Not, are there purely for entertainment, while others like Sea World and Gatorland also have an educational incentive. The Universal Studios theme park opened in 1990 is a must for movie buffs. For those who prefer the more sedate, Orlando has a number of museums and parks.

Places of Interest
In downtown Orlando, Loch Haven Park contains the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orange County Historical Museum and the Science Center. All three institutions have diverse and interesting exhibitions. Northeast of Loch Haven Park, Winter Park is home to Rollins College, the oldest college in the state. Be sure to visit the Cornell Fine Arts Center on its grounds, as it has a fine collection of 19th­century art. Also situated in Winter Park is Park Avenue, one of the world's better­known haunts for the discerning shopper. The Morse Museum of American Art has an extensive collection of work by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Moving further north, the Maitland Art Center in Maitland was established in the 1930s, and is known as much for its architecture as for its art collection. Nearby, the Maitland Historical Museum and Telephone Museum is dedicated to the history of the telephone.

Situated still further north on the banks of Lake Monroe, Sanford hosts the Shelton Sanford Memorial Museum which is dedicated town's founder, and to its history. Cassadaga, a small town north of Sanford, was founded in 1875 and is almost entirely populated by spiritualists. Here you can make contact with the spirit world, or attend any of the seminars and lectures held during the year.

By following the Orange Blossom Trail south of Orlando, you will reach Gatorland. Started in the 1950s, this park is a working farm where alligators are bred for their meat and hides. Three main shows, Gator Jumparoo, Gator Wrestling and Snakes of Florida are held every day. At the end of the Orange Blossom Trail lies Kissimmee, a small town that boasts the largest collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia (outside Graceland) in its Elvis Presley Museum.

In 1990 Universal Studios was opened near Orlando at a cost of USD 600 million. Now the third most popular theme park in America, it is a working studio with attractions and rides that rival those of Disney World, and in certain cases even surpass them. Every night a Dynamite Nights Stuntacular with pyrotechnic displays is held in the park's central lagoon. Sights include Back to the Future, a spectacular flight simulator time trip, Ghost Busters, which involves audience participation, and Earthquake ­ The Big One, which simulates an 8.3 Richter scale earthquake.

Other theme parks in the Orlando area include Splendid China, which commemorates 5,000 years of Chinese history and architecture, with 60 scale models of famous Chinese buildings. Terror on Church Street scares you half to death with its special effects and live actors. Wet'n'Wild specialises in different types of water games and attractions, and is very popular in the summer.

Things to Do
Visit any of the region's beaches or offshore retreats such as the Sanibel and Captiva Islands south of Tampa. There are also numerous museums, galleries and parks.

Places of Interest
The economic, social and geographical centre of the West Coast is Tampa. Attractions here include the Tampa Museum of Art which has a varied collection of antiquities, European masters and contemporary art. The Museum of African­American Art houses the Barnett­Aden collection of well­known works by African­American artists. The city's most popular beach is the Davis Municipal Beach. One of Tampa's several theme parks, Busch Gardens is a 300­acre park situated northeast of Tampa. Here, the overall theme is the Dark Continent and the main attractions are the herds of animals which can be viewed via cable car, monorail or old­fashioned train. The park also offers rides, white­water rafting, an ice show and an on­site brewery.

Across the bay from Tampa, St Petersburg has until recently been the retirement capital of the United States. That is changing now, and the town boasts the Salvador Dali Museum which features the Reynolds Morse collection, the single largest collection of works by the artist. The Sunken Gardens, planted in an old sinkhole, is a tropical paradise, complete with plants and wildlife. Theme parks nearby include the Weeki Wachee Springs, north of St Petersburg, which features the world's only underwater theatre and a number of aquatic displays.

North of Tampa, Tarpon Springs once provided most of the natural sponges used in the United States. Although the industry has shrunk considerably, the influence it had on the town can be seen at the Spongerama Exhibition. The nearby Shrine of St Michael Taxiarchis is reputed to have cured many blind and cripple people. Still further north, the 2,100 year old temple and burial grounds of Native Americans can be viewed at the Crystal River State Archaeological Site.

South of Tampa, Sarasota with its large number of resident artists and writers is reputedly the cultural capital of Florida. This is not its only claim to fame; the first golf course in the United States was laid out here in 1886, and it has also been known as the world capital of the circus since John Ringling based one of the first semi­permanent circuses here in 1927. The Ringling Museum Complex consists of the Ca'd'Zan, a 32­roomed Venetian Palace with a 4,000 pipe organ, and an art museum with one of the best collections of baroque art in the United States.

Things to Do
Miami Beach is the best place in Florida to go people­spotting. A favourite holiday spot for the rich, famous and beautiful, this area is the social heart of Miami. Apart from the social scene, it also has some of the best beaches in Florida.

Places of Interest
Most of the attractions in Miami Beach can be reached by going down any of the area's two main commercial streets, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. South Beach at the southern end of Miami Beach is the social hub of this area. The Art Deco District was built in the 1930s and renovated in the 1980s. It has the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world.

The Bass Museum has an extensive collection of European masters dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries, as well as a contemporary art exhibit. The Jewish Museum of Florida, a delightful Art Deco building, is dedicated to Jewish life in Florida. The Spanish Monastery of St Bernard was built in Segovia, Spain, in 1141. In 1925 it was dismantled, and in 1952 re­erected in North Miami Beach.

At the northern end of Miami Beach there are two excellent beaches, Surfside, where the surfers usually hang out and Golden Beach, a favourite with European travellers.

Visitor's Information
The busiest times are at the beginning of the year, during the summer holidays and on public holidays such as Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas. During peak season the resort opens at 09:00 and closes at 24:00. For the rest of the year, it opens at 09:00 and closes at 22:00. In order to fit the most into your day it is best to arrive before the gates open. During mid­afternoon the resort is at its busiest, with the most popular areas being the rides.

Visitors can buy a one­day ticket (USD 39.00), a four­day pass (USD 145.00) or a five­day pass (USD 197.00). There are discounts available for children between the ages of 3 and 9, while children under 3 go in free of charge. If you are staying at a Disney World hotel the day passes might be a good idea, as it takes at least a day to see one theme park. Hotel guests also get their tickets at a reduced rate. Visitors are not allowed to take any food or drink into the park.

Things to Do
Apart from the beaches, this region has a number of historical and archaeological sites. Sports such as golf, hunting, hiking, and most water sports are very popular.

Places of Interest
The state capital, Tallahassee, is a rustic city with a rich and interesting history. The Museum Of Florida History gives a detailed account of the influence the Spanish occupation and the railroads had on the inhabitants of Florida and the Panhandle. Just outside the city, the San Luis Archaeological and Historical Site offers guided tours of the remains of a 17th­century Spanish mission. To view the wildlife of the area, visit the St Marks National Wildlife Refuge south of the city. Here you will see black bears, bald eagles, deer and a wide variety of birds.

Panama City Beach is a highly commercialised area directed at the tourism industry. Attractions include the Gulf World Marine Park with its performing dolphins and parrot shows. Taking a ferry from the Captain Anderson Marina, you can go to Shell Island, famous for its long beaches and the wide variety of shells found there.

On the western end of the Panhandle lies Pensacola, the second oldest city in the United States. Its rich and varied history is evident in the Historic Pensacola Village situated in the Seville District. Among the museums in the village is the Pensacola Historical Museum which has a collection of relics dedicated to the history of the city.

Things to Do
Recreational in this area centres around water sports. Snorkelling, diving and fishing are very popular, and there are numerous businesses geared towards providing the necessary equipment. There are also a number of historical sites, museums and parks worth visiting.

Places of Interest
Situated in the Upper Keys, Key Largo hosts the John Pennecamp Coral Reef State Park. At the heart of this park lies one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the Florida area. The reef can be viewed from a glass­bottomed boat, or by taking part in a snorkelling or scuba diving tour. The Maritime Museum of the Florida Keys is dedicated to the swashbuckling, pirate­treasure history of the area. At Dolphins Plus visitors can learn more about dolphins, and are able to touch and feed them.

The Theater of the Sea can be found at a small group of islands known as the Islamandora. Here visitors can view creatures such as sea lions, rays, sharks, and for a fee of USD 65.00, swim with the dolphins (prior booking is required). On the southern end of Islamandora there are three state parks, Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key and Long Key. Guided tours through all three of these park are available, with the main attractions being the tropical plants, animals and a few historical sites. The Long Key State Recreation Area has a number of canoe and hiking trails.

Marathon, the largest settlement in the Middle Keys, is situated in Key Vaca. The Museum of Natural History of the Florida Keys and the Florida Keys Children's Museum both have excellent exhibits featuring the aquatic life of the area. At the Dolphin Research Center, dolphins are used to help mentally handicapped children and cancer sufferers. It is possible to swim with the dolphins, but prior booking is required.

While Key West is the best known, there are a number of Lower Keys with interesting attractions. Big Pine Key is well known for its miniature Key deer, and is home to the National Key Deer Refuge where visitors can view these delightful animals. The Looe Key Marine Sanctuary at Ramrod Key is an excellent spot for scuba diving or snorkelling.

Once the wealthiest city in the United States, Key West is famous for its tolerant way of life and diverse history. Going down Duval Street in the Old Town you get to the Wrecker's Museum, which is dedicated to the wrecking industry and the influence it has had on the economy of the area. Situated further down the street, the San Carlos Opera House is the social centre of the area's Cuban population. The Key West Aquarium has a large collection of sea life behind its glass walls. An impressive array of treasures salvaged from 17th­century shipwrecks can be seen at Mel Fisher's Treasure Exhibit.

The Little White House was once the holiday home of President Harry Truman, and is now a museum commemorating his presidency. Another famous home is the Hemingway House, where the author Ernest Hemingway lived for more than ten years. Guided tours of these attractions take place daily. In the eastern corner of Key West lie the West and East Martello Towers, erected during the Civil War to act as lookout points for the Union soldiers. West Martello Tower is now filled with a tropical garden, and East Martello Tower houses the East Martello Museum and Gallery which is dedicated to the history of Key West. An eclectic collection of artefacts, and the works of well­known local artists are on show.

Things to Do
The South Coast, and especially the Gold Coast, is famous for swimming, sunbathing and sailing, but the region has more to offer than only beaches. The excellent weather allows for plenty of outdoor time which can be spent practising sports or hiking. The South Coast also has numerous museums, galleries and parks.

Northeast Coast
The Kennedy Space Center (Cape Canaveral) has been the launching site for America's space shuttles and missiles since 1950. Situated near the centre of the East Coast, this NASA base hosts the Spaceport USA museum, which has an extensive exhibit of everything connected with a launch. Next to the museum, the Galaxy Theater shows films about space travel on a five­storey high screen. The Air Force Space Museum nearby is dedicated to the history of the base and its accomplishments. At Cocao, a small town about 17 km inland from the Kennedy Space Center, the Astronaut Memorial Hall and Planetarium has a collection of space hardware that is also worth seeing.

Further north, Daytona Beach has always been famous for its magnificent shoreline, and in recent years for spring break and the Daytona 500, a stock-car race. In the town centre, the Halifax Historical Museum is dedicated to the development of the county, and Daytona Beach in particular. For those interested in prehistoric times, the Museum of the Arts and Sciences has a wide and varied collection of relics from as far afield as Africa.

Still further north, St Augustine is the oldest settlement in the United States. Its rich history is evident in the city's architecture. The Castillo de San Marco in Old Town, the city's historical district, was built in 1672 and is the oldest masonry fortification in the United States. The Zorayda Castle, built in 1873, houses a fascinating array of eastern treasures brought there in 1913 by the Egyptian owner. The Lightner Museum was built in 1888 and exhibits an extensive collection of 19th­century art and antiques.

Amelia Island is a 32 km long stretch of land on the northeastern end of Florida. The history of the area is represented in its Museum of History.

Southeast Coast
Palm Beach, south of Cape Canaveral, is a small, affluent town frequented by America's rich and famous. The town's main commercial district is situated around Worth Avenue, where you can find some of the most exclusive shops in the region. At 1095 North Ocean Boulevard you can see the Kennedy Compound where the Kennedy family still spend some of their holidays. North, and slightly inland from Palm Beach lies West Palm Beach. A far more affordable area, it hosts the Norton Gallery of Art with a large collection of works by European artists such as Picasso and Gauguin, as well as American and Asian art.

South of Palm Beach, Boca Raton has a distinct Spanish influence, visible especially in its architecture. Its commercial centre is situated around Misner Park, a large shopping development in the heart of the town. Attractions include the Museum of Art with its large collection of French impressionist paintings and African art. Known as the Venice of America because of its multitude of small channels, Fort Lauderdale hosts the Museum of Art, famous for its collection of paintings by contemporary Dutch, Belgian and Danish artists. Butterfly World was opened in 1988, and its tropical gardens contain thousands of butterflies from all over the world. On the southern point of the Gold Coast lies Hollywood, a small town founded by a Californian. Not far from Miami, its main attractions are its excellent beach and the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood which has a large collection of contemporary local art.

Time

Tourist Offices

Visa & Passports

Valid passports, onward passage tickets and non­immigration visitor's visas are essential for visitors from Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. Some nationals need proof that they possess USD 500.00 or more. Check with your travel agent if there is any doubt.

Customs

Duty­free allowances for visitors include personal effects and sporting or recreational equipment, as well as 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 2 kg of smoking tobacco (if you are over 17 years old), a litre of spirits or wine (if you are over 21 years old) and USD 100.00 worth of gifts. There is no limit on the amount of currency imported or exported from the country but anything over USD 10,000.00 must be declared.

Food, agricultural products, drugs, any articles from Vietnam, North Korea, Kampuchea or Cuba, illegal publications, lottery tickets, chocolate liqueurs or artefacts from pre­Columbia may not be brought into the United States. Some items may require a license or permit before import.

Duty Free Allowances

Money

Business Hours

Non­Legal Holidays are holidays which are observed in the United States, but which do not entail the closing of stores, post offices, government agencies and banks.

Peak Seasons

Post & Telephones

The largest telephone provider in Florida is Southern Belle, a subsidiary of AT&T. Public phones are found everywhere, and use 5c, 10c and 25c pieces. Local calls cost 25c for three minutes, with an extra 10c for every additional three minutes. Long distance calls cost more, but you can save here by phoning between 18:00 and 08:00. It is also possible to use a credit card at most phones. Fax machines can be found at photocopy centres and some book shops.

Florida Area Codes

Miami	305
Orlando	407
Northern Florida	904
West Coast	941

Electricity

Most modern hotels provide wall mounted electric hair dryers. In addition, some hotels have plugs capable of powering both 100 and 220 volt shavers, but little else, not even radios. It can in fact be dangerous to connect anything more powerful. If you bring along more sophisticated appliances, like a notebook computer for instance, be certain to bring a battery pack as well. Remember that you will need an adapter to recharge your batteries.

Disabled Travellers

Budget Travel

On the whole, hostels provide safe, inexpensive lodgings, usually in the form of dormitory-style accommodations with separate quarters for men and women. Many hostels have private rooms or family rooms which can be reserved in advance. Most offer self-service kitchens or cafeterias, dining areas, secure storage and common rooms for relaxing and socialising with other travellers. For details regarding hostels in America, contact:
Hostelling International - American Youth Hostels
733 15th Street, N.W.
Suite 840
Dept. Tap
Washington, D.C.
20005
Tel. 1-202-783-6161 or 800-444-6111

Hitch-hiking in the United States is considered dangerous and is not recommended. Motorists are often wary of hitch-hikers and it may prove difficult to get lifts. Hitch-hiking on freeways is illegal.

History

Although the Cabot brothers, John and Sebastian, were the first Europeans to sight Florida in 1498, the official honour for the discovery of Florida goes to Juan Ponce de León. Previously the governor of Puerto Rico, he made his first landing at Florida in 1513 while searching for the Isle of Bimini. This landing took place during Pascua Florida, the Spanish Festival of Flowers, and accordingly Ponce de León named the new land La Florida (the Land of Flowers). In 1521 Ponce de León returned to colonise the region, but was killed by Caluza Indians near what is known today as Tampa Bay. Several other prominent Spanish discoverers tried to follow in De León's footsteps, among them Hernando de Soto, and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Their efforts were spurred by the rumours that incredible riches were to be found in Florida, and when this turned out to be false, Spanish interest in the area waned considerably.

In 1652 French Huguenots, under the leadership of Jean Ribault, landed in Florida with the intention of colonising the area. This forced Spain to act, and Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was sent to destroy the French settlement. De Avilés named his first base St Augustine, now the oldest city in Florida. The Spanish occupation during this period was relatively insecure, enforced only by the Jesuit missions which were scattered throughout the area. In 1763 the British capture of Havana, one of Spain's most important colonies, led to the Treaty of Paris which stated that Spain was to relinquish its control over Florida in exchange for Havana.

Under British control Florida was divided into a Western and Eastern section, a social infrastructure was developed, and pieces of land were sold to British citizens for the development of farms. All this changed with the start of the American War of Independence in the 1770s. The second Treaty of Paris in 1783 recognised the independence of America and Florida, Louisiana and New Orleans were returned to Spain. Due to the severe problems it was experiencing in its Central American provinces and the Seminole uprisings in central Florida, Spain was unable to capitalise on this and started to sell property to American citizens. At this stage (1814) the British landed troops at Florida to prevent the loss of their remaining influence in the area. American troops led by general Andrew Jackson illegally crossed the border under the pretence that they were there to control Indian uprisings, and forced the British troops to leave.

The Semiole War in 1814 gave the American government the excuse to send large numbers of troops into Florida, and to force Spain to officially hand over Florida to the United States. Andrew Jackson became the first American governor of Florida. Up to this stage the Semiole Indians had lived in the fertile central Florida area, but from 1821 onwards the American government tried its best to forcibly move them to the more arid west. This led to the Second Semiole War, which nearly destroyed the economy of Florida and resulted in the confinement of the Semiole Indians in the Everglades region.

On 3 March 1845, Florida became a state. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, Florida seceded from the Union on 10 January 1861 and sided with the Confederate States. Florida, unlike most of the southern states, saw very little conflict within its borders, and primarily contributed to the Confederate cause by providing food and soldiers, and by blockading Union troop movements. In the years following the war a conservative Democratic government was elected, and very little changed as far as the position of the former slaves was concerned. Florida now became known as a tourist destination and Miami and Palm Beach were developed with this in mind. This was to be the beginning of a prosperous economic era for Florida that lasted until the Great Depression and World War II. Property in Florida was now the most sought­after in the United States, and the real­estate market boomed.

The Wall Street Crash, together with a hurricane that hit Miami, almost destroyed the economy of Florida in 1929. Ironically it was the Second World War that saved it. Large numbers of troops were sent to guard the coastline against German attack, and this influx of people revived Florida's stagnant economy.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s Civil Rights became one of the major issues in Florida, one which is still relevant today. The conservative Democratic Government tried to preserve the status quo by furtively blocking de­segregation. During the 1970s two developments changed the public image and economy of Florida. NASA built its space missile base at Cape Canaveral, and Walt Disney opened the gates of one of the world's largest theme parks, Walt Disney World in Orlando.

In recent years Florida has received a lot of international attention because of the burgeoning crime rate in the state, with drug trafficking and money laundering being the main culprits. Racial tension between Anglo­Americans, Cubans and Blacks has also led to a number of violent confrontations. In 1993 the Task Force on Tourist Safety was created to counteract crime against tourists. Although this has improved the situation, it is still advisable for travellers to follow the guidelines set by the Florida police.

Economy

Population

Government

The legislative branch makes the laws that the president and his assistants must carry out. This branch is called the Congress, and has two divisions, the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has two members from every state (elected for six years), and the House of Representatives a member from each district of a state.

The judicial branch decides whether a law should be carried out, and includes all the courts of law, for example the Supreme Court. Should the Supreme Court decide that a law is unconstitutional, this law can not be enforced.

According to the Constitution of the United States each state has its own government and constitution. This constitution must be in accordance with the United States Constitution. The government of each state can collect its own taxes and make its own laws, as long as they are not in conflict with those of the Congress. The two main political parties in the United States are the Democrats and the Republicans.

Every six years a Republican or Democratic Party Congressional representative is elected for each state. Because of this system you can have a Democratic head of the executive branch (a Democratic President), while the legislative branch is controlled by the Republicans (if they have the majority of elected representatives in Congress). Even though President Clinton tried his best to win over the Florida Democrats during the 1996 election, Florida has been a Democratic Party stronghold ever since the first election was held there in 1875.

Language

Religion

Theatres
The Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in Miami Beach presents a number of classical concerts and musical comedies throughout the year. The Central Florida Civic Theatre in Orlando presents classical and contemporary productions, as well as musical comedies all year round. The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Tampa is home to the Florida Ochestra, the Bay Ballet Theatre and the Tampa Oratorio Society.

Food & Drink

Because of its proximity to the sea, seafood is one of Florida's specialities. When dining, you can choose from a large variety of fish and shellfish. Florida has a large group of developing wineries, as well as small independent breweries known as micro breweries.

Entertainment

Sport

Shopping

Many of Florida's shops can be found inside the theme parks, alongside the attractions. As with most other activities in Florida, shopping has also been brought to the beach. In Miami, Miami Beach, Tampa, St Petersburg and most of the coastal towns there are modern shopping centres and informal markets placed along the beach. Keep in mind though that these shops usually ask far more for goods.

Shows & Festivals

January
The Greek Festival takes place in Tarpon Springs on the west coast.
There is an Art Deco Weekend in Miami Beach.

February
The Silver Spurs Rodeo takes place in Kissimmee, with calf­roping, steer­wrestling and other cowboy activities.
Old Islands Day in Key West commemorates the early history of the island.
The Big Orange Music Festival in Miami features all types of music, from classical to rock.

March/April
A service is held at dawn on Easter Sunday in Cypress Gardens.
The Miami Grand Prix takes place.

July
The Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, also held in February, is repeated.
The All­American Water­Ski Championship is held in Cypress Gardens.

September
The Anniversary of the Founding of St Augstine takes place.

October
The Hispanic Heritage Week Gala takes place in Miami, and involves events such as art exhibits and lectures.

December/January
The Orange Bowl Festival, the highlight of which is a parade on New Year's Eve, takes place in Miami.

Parks & Reserves

The Everglades Park, measuring 5,600 km² (2,162 miles²), is America's only subtropical national park. It features a wide variety of wildlife. The Biscayne National Park, measuring 730 km² (282 miles²), is the most recently established national park in Florida. Situated near Miami, it consists of large stretches of water, small islands and coral reefs teeming with fish.

National forests in the state include the Apalachicola National forest in northern Florida's Panhandle, the Ocala National Forest in central Florida, and the Osceola National Forest which is situated north of Lake City.

Climate

The southern zone has very mild winters, which is why the period between November and April is the main tourist season. Because of the lower temperatures this is also the best time to visit the swamps and national reserves. During summer, daily rainstorms are not uncommon and temperatures feel hotter than they actually are because of the high humidity.

In the northern zone, summer (May to October) is the peak tourist season. During this period temperatures can rise up to 27 °C (80 °F). Although warm temperatures are the norm, winters in the northern zone can be very cold, with snowfall in regions such as the Panhandle.

In the past Florida has been hit by several hurricanes, the last being Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. Hurricane activity occurs during the summer months, specifically from June to November and only about once in every seven years near or in Florida.

Geography

Health

Safety

Mugging is another problem. Do not go into dark alleys or streets, or flash money around. Should you be held up, do not make any sudden movements; just hand over your wallet, and chances are good that you will remain unhurt. Hotel burglaries are not uncommon in the Orlando area. When staying in a hotel, leave your valuables in a hotel safe. Should you lose your passport or traveller's cheques, immediately report the loss to the relevant institution.