In the 1980's, it seemed that
everyone in America over the age of sixty were trying to do the same.
Ponce de León thought that he had discovered
a large island, when in fact it is a narrow peninsular pointing a finger at Cuba.
Go to Key West and bold red letters tell you
just how close you are to Castro's Island.
It wasn't until 1565 that Spanish forces
returned, under Pedro Menéndez de Aviles, to oust the French Huguenots and found St.
Augustine; the oldest permanent European settlement in the United States.
It is disrespectful of Europeans to think that
they found America when the Timucua, Apalachee, Calusa, and the stronger Seminole were
already there.
Florida changed hands again after the Seven
Years' War in 1763, when Great Britain took control of the territory until after the War
of Independence (1775-1783).
The Americans, the Spaniards, and the British
would all continue to squabble over the glorified swamp. What must the Seminoles have
thought?
Now it appears to be in the hands of Latin
Americans and Disney.
Don't get me wrong, I love Little Havana, but
I'm grateful that I have no children crying out for fun with Mickey.
The warm, sunny
climate attracts millions of tourists to Florida each year.
Online
Sunshine:
The official guide to the State of Florida legislature.
Apart from the popcorn culture of the
themeparks, and the half-naked bodies on Miami Beach, there are some other places of
interest.
Tallahassee is
the state capital, although Jacksonville is the largest city.
With many lakes and a very long coastline,
Florida is an excellent spot for fishing. Many head to the Keys to hire a boat and go
deep-sea fishing Hemingway style.
Diving
Florida Keys:
Experienced scuba divers can explore two purposely sunk Coast Guard Cutters that
serve as artificial reefs.
For sports fans who prefer to watch
--
The Orange Bowl, in Miami, hosts a major end of season college football game, and the
Daytona 500 is held at Daytona Beach every February.
Miami
Dolphins:
Touchdown at the Dolphin's Endzone.
Spanish
Landmarks:
The Castillo de San Marcos, at St Augustine dates from the 1670's and is the oldest
masonry fortress of the continental United States.
See also:
Fort Matanzas National Monument near St Augustine; the historic district at Pensacola; and
the De Soto National Memorial near Bradenton.
Miami
Herald:
The news from the region on your desktop.
I-95
Exit Information Guide:
The I-95 runs from Maine to Florida. If you're going to travel this route you won't take a
wrong turn here.
Art Deco Hotels:
Not all of the hotels are in the deco style, but they are in the deco district of Miami
Beach.
Daytona
Beach:
Get the big picture from the official guide to planning your stay in the Daytona Beach
area.
Tampa
Bay:
Things to see and do in the Tampa Bay area from Keith West's eGO Travel Guides to the US.
Weather Warnings:
This page provides immediate access to all available warnings for the United States;
refreshes every 60 seconds. Don't say you didn't see it coming.
Americana:
The forming of the United States. American
Civil War, and African American Heritage.
Driving
Distances:
Interactive Distances between major U.S. cities, in miles or kilometres.
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