Stay Florida Rentals, Vacation Rentals in Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. Florida is the 22nd most extensive, the 4th most populous, and the 8th most densely populated of the 50 United States. The state capital is Tallahassee, its largest city is Jacksonville, and the South Florida metropolitan area is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States.

The maximum part of Florida is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. Its geography is marked by a coastline, by the omnipresence of water and the threat of hurricanes. Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, encompassing approximately 2,170 kilometer, and is the only state to border both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Much of the state is at or near sea level and its terrain is characterized by sedimentary soils. The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. Its symbolic animals like the American alligator, Florida panther and the manatee, can be found in the Everglades, one of the most famous national parks in the world.

Florida's culture is similar to the rest of United States of America culture but being a coastal state, Florida culture has been influenced by refugee populations especially those from Latin America and Europe. Florida is a melting pot as well as an international crossroad to the United States. As one of the Southern states, Florida was long influenced by Southern culture. Some Southern culture remains partly prominent in the state, particularly in the Panhandle, North Central Florida, the First Coast, northern Central Florida and the Florida Heartland. More recently the state has been influenced by the cultures of people moving in from foreign countries and other parts of the United States. Florida culture is also influenced by its economy, most notably from the effects of tourism, a highly significant industry in the state. Also, as one of the New Spain states, it shares history, culture, food and other things with the Spanish, especially Cuban and Puerto Rican.

Florida's proximity to the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico, and the state's many inland lakes and ponds, together account for the high humidity and generally abundant rainfall, although precipitation can vary greatly from year to year and serious droughts have occurred. At Jacksonville, the average annual precipitation (1971–2000) was 52.3 in, with an average of 116 days of precipitation a year. At Miami during the same period, precipitation averaged 58.5 in, with 130 rainy days a year. Rainfall is unevenly distributed throughout the year, more than half generally occurring from June through September; periods of extremely heavy rainfall are common. The highest 24-hour total ever recorded in the US, 38.7 in, fell at Yankeetown, west of Ocala on the Gulf coast, on 5–6 September 1950. Despite the high annual precipitation rate, the state also receives abundant sunshine—61% of the maximum possible at Jacksonville, and 68% at Miami. Snow is virtually unheard of in southern Florida but does fall on rare occasions in the panhandle and the northern peninsula.

A mild, sunny climate is one of Florida's most important natural resources, making it a major tourist center and a retirement home for millions of transplanted northerners. Average annual temperatures range from 18° to 21°C in the north, and from 23° to 25°C in the southern peninsula and on the Keys. At Jacksonville, the average annual temperature is 20°C the average low is 14°C, the average high 26°C. At Miami, the annual average is 24°C, with a low of 21°C and a high of 28°C. Key West has the highest annual average temperature in the US, at 25.7°C. The record high temperature, 43°C, was registered at Monticello on 29 June 1931; the record low, –19°C, at Tallahassee on 13 February 1899. Winds are generally from the east and southeast in the southern peninsula; in northern Florida, winds blow from the north in winter, bringing cold snaps, and from the south in summer. Average wind velocities are 7.9 mph at Jacksonville and 9.2 mph at Miami. Florida's long coastline makes it highly vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms, which may approach from either the Atlantic or the Gulf coast, bringing winds of up to 150 mph.

Summer is upon us and that means that many of us are thinking about doing our annual traveling. One of the most popular states in the United States to visit during the summer months is Florida. From Disneyworld to The Keys, Florida offers up a variety of different things for visitors to enjoy. But where exactly should you go on a Florida summer vacation?

Orlando: Orlando is probably the most popular city in Florida for summer visitors. That’s because there are so many great family attractions to check out in Orlando. This is where people go to visit Disney World, of course. Orlando is also home to Universal Studios, Epcot Center and Sea World.

Jacksonville: Orlando may be the most popular tourist destination in Florida but Jacksonville is the biggest city in the state in terms of population. That means that this East Coast city also has a ton of things to offer to visitors interested in checking out tourist attractions.

Miami: Second in population is this city which is also one of the most popular cities to visit in Florida. How can you not want to go to Miami? The beaches are beautiful, the nightlife is happening and there is a rich cultural world here to explore.

Key West: The Florida Keys are a must-see for visitors who are interested in the beautiful beaches of Southern Florida. There are many different islands here to choose from (about 1700 of them, actually, although not all of them are inhabited). One of the most popular options for visitors is Key West and there’s a reason for that; there’s a lot to do and the beaches here are stunning.

Port Saint Lucie: If you’re looking for something a bit quieter and more relaxing then this East Coast city might be the right choice for you. It’s a mid-sized Florida city where people go to enjoy golfing, boat rides and long walks on the beach. There are water activities and more active adventures for those who want that but it’s ideal for the individual who thinks of a Florida vacation as a way to just be lazy on the beach.

Well known for manned space launches, theme parks, beaches and alligators, Florida is a tourism destination for many of the world's travelers. As a large state, Florida has geographic regions that cater to a wide difference in terms of climate, topography and wildlife. For instance, while the northern edges of the state might see snow on some of the more brisk days of winter, Key West residents may be basking in the warmth of another beautiful day of island life in the Florida Keys. Similarly the activities and attractions of Southern Florida mostly involve outdoor and water themes and those of central and north Florida will be indoors or seasonal. The activities and attractions available to a Florida traveler will differ greatly depending on the time of year and destination but it is certain that, with minimal planning, a great trip or vacation can be experienced.

The State of Florida is served by a variety of transportation options, including Interstate Highways, United States and Florida State Roads, Amtrak and commuter rail services, scheduled passenger airline service and other airports, public transportation, and ports, in several state's counties and regions.

Intercity Rail: Amtrak service exists in Florida: Sanford, in Greater Orlando, is the southern terminus of the Amtrak Auto Train, which originates at Lorton, Virginia, south of Washington, DC. Orlando is also the eastern terminus of the Sunset Limited, which travels across the southern United States via New Orleans, Houston, and San Antonio to its western terminus of Los Angeles. Florida is served by two additional Amtrak trains (the Silver Star and the Silver Meteor), which operate between New York City and Miami.

High Speed Intercity Rail: The Florida Department of Transportation was preparing to build a high speed rail between Tampa, Lakeland and Orlando. This is the first phase of the Florida High Speed Rail system. Soil work began in July 2010 with the federal government expecting full construction to begin in 2011. However, Governor Rick Scott declined the federal funding.

Airports: Major international airports in Florida which processed more than 15 million passengers each in 2005 are Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Tampa International Airport. Secondary airports, with annual passenger traffic exceeding 5 million each in 2005, include Southwest Florida International Airport (Fort Myers), Palm Beach International Airport (West Palm Beach), Jacksonville International Airport. Regional Airports which processed over one million passengers each in 2005 are Pensacola, Sarasota-Bradenton, and Tallahassee and Sanford which is primarily served by international charter airlines. Other smaller, regional airports with commercial service include those at Daytona Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Gainesville, Key West, Marathon Key, Melbourne, Naples, Panama City, and St. Petersburg-Clearwater.