Interesting facts about Florida! 1,000 people move to Florida each day. The state's population will increase by 140,000 in 2011, compared with 100,000 in 2010. Housing starts will increase to about 63,000 throughout the state, compared with 20,000 in 2010. Builders have largely sold their excess inventories, and now when a builder sells a home, he starts a new one. Another sign of health for Florida's real estate market is that today's buyers are focusing more on using their new house, condo or townhouse themselves rather than purchasing as an investment. Florida has 1,250 golf courses... more than any other state. Famed beaches, such as those at Miami Beach , Daytona Beach, and Fort Lauderdale , attract vacationers from all over the world. Florida has a total of 1,200 miles of sand beaches. With more than 4,000 sq mi (10,360 sq km) of inland water and with the sea readily accessible from almost anywhere in the state, Florida is a fishing paradise and has earned international recognition as the yachting capital of the world. Fort Lauderdale is home to one of the most important boat shows, the annual International Boat Show in October. Serious yacht owners are drawn to South Florida, especially Fort Lauderdale by the deep waterways and availability of dockage for boats of all sizes, easy access to the Bahamas, the Carribean and many other island destinations. For information about large yachts, either sail or motor yacht... contact one of the best and most knowledgable in superyachts! 
Tourism plays a primary role in the state's economy; in 1996 visitors to Florida spent over $48 billion. Walt Disney World, a massive cluster of theme parks near Orlando that is one of the world's leading tourist attractions; Universal Studios, a combination theme park and film and television production facility, also near Orlando; and other attractions draw millions yearly. In 2011 there are more than 370,000 hotel rooms in Florida. Fort Lauderdale celebrates its' CENTENNIAL anniversary in 2011. From 500-1910 Fort Lauderdale's New River was home to prehistoric Tequesta Indians, white Bahamian settlers, transient hunters and seafarers. The need for services such as sanitation prompted citizens to incorporate as a town in March 27, 2011. Today, Fort Lauderdale is among the 31 municipalities which encompass Broward County, and has the 7th lowest property tax millage rate of those! Area, 58,560 sq mi (151,670 sq km). Pop. (2000) 15,982,378, a 23.5% increase since the 1990 census. Capital, Tallahassee. Largest city, Jacksonville. Nickname, Sunshine State. Motto, In God We Trust. State bird, mockingbird. State flower, orange blossom. State tree, Sabal palmetto palm. *Information from Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition
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