Florida Location Guide
Millions of pleasure-seekers can’t be wrong! Florida is North America’s favourite holiday destination and draws hordes of tourists all year round. The reason for the state’s popularity as a vacation station is its sunny climate and situation. Consisting 
of a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean from the southeastern corner of the United States, Florida’s uneven coastline is indented with estuaries, bays, inlets, lagoons and rivers, creating ideal enclaves for the location of holiday resorts. Right in the south the peninsula ends in an arc of islands resting on coral reefs, known as the Florida Keys, today joined and accessed via a highway ending in Key West, the southernmost point of the United States.
After World War II, tourism development took off at a great pace, not to enhance its natural attractions, but in the form of building man-made ones. The central part of the state, particularly around Tampa and Orlando, has since become a theme park paradise for thrill seekers. Enticing venues offer everything from water slides to rollicking roller coasters, and themed animal habitats attract thousands to the accompanying resort hotels on the huge sites of Disney World, Sea World, Busch Gardens and other major resort operators.
The state’s biggest city, Miami, echoes the vibrancy of the rest of this holiday Mecca, with its soft white sandy beaches vying for attention with the city’s numerous attractions and colourful neighbourhoods.
Its famous Art Deco district and Latin American quarter are constantly thronged with visitors, many of them passengers from the hundreds of cruise ships that come and go in the bustling port. Within easy access from Miami are the Everglades, a marshy grass plain resonating with wildlife and filled with alligators.
Aptly named the ‘Sunshine State’, Florida can offer anything anyone seeks in a holiday, whether it be fine wining and dining, learning about space exploration, discovering endangered wildlife, riding a roller coaster or bronzing on one of its famous beaches.
Capital: Tallahassee
Governor: Jeb Bush, R (to Jan. 2007)
Lieut. Governor: Toni Jennings, R (to Jan. 2007)
Senators: Bob Graham, D (to Jan. 2005); Bill Nelson, D (to Jan. 2007)
Secy. of State: Glenda Hood , R (to Jan. 2007)
Atty. General: Charlie Crist, R (to Jan. 2007)
Chief Financial Officer: Tom Gallagher, R (to Jan. 2007)
Organized as territory: March 30, 1821
Entered Union (rank): March 3, 1845 (27)
Present constitution adopted: 1969
Motto: In God we trust (1868)
State Symbols:
- flower orange blossom (1909)
- bird mockingbird (1927)
- song “Suwannee River” (1935)
Nickname: Sunshine State (1970)
West Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
Location: The airport is located 4 miles (6km) west of Palm Beach.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: Passenger services at the airport include bars, shops and restaurants, ATMs, currency exhange, hotel reservations and travel insurance. The Traveler’s Service Center on the second floor offers meeting rooms and business facilities, including fax, internet and photocopying. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance. Parking: The airport has both long- and short-term parking adjacent to the terminal.
Website: www.pbia.org
Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL)
Location: The airport is located 25 miles (40km) north of Miami and minutes from the beaches of Fort Lauderdale.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: There are numerous ATMs, shops, bars and restaurants throughout the airport. Each terminal has a business centre with fax and photocopy facilities. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: There is plenty of parking available adjacent to the airport.
Website: www.fll.net
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Location: The airport is located 9 miles (15km) west of central Miami.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes and fast food chains available 24 hours. Dozens of shops, including duty-free, are available. The airport also has ATMs, bureaux de change, barber shop/hair salon, chapel, a health club, an art gallery and a rooftop swimming pool. Facilities for the disabled are good.
Parking: Miami International Airport’s long-term parking facilities consist of two multi-level parking garages. Short-term parking is available in the same area, at higher rates. For more information call +1 (305) 876 7536.
Website: www.miami-airport.com
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Location: The airport is situated 7 miles (11km) southeast of Orlando.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: Passenger services at the airport include ATMs, currency exchange,
information centres, internet kiosks and postal services. There are a wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops, including duty free. The Kennedy Space Center, Disney, Universal Studios and Sea World all have their own branded shops. Facilities for the disabled are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: There are three parking lots are adjacent to the main terminals and three further away.
Website: www.orlandoairports.net
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
Location: The airport is situated 18 miles (29km) north of downtown Jacksonville, about one mile west of I-95 (exit 363-B)..
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: The airport has numerous ATMs, bars, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Parking: Both long-term and short-term parking is available next to the terminal building.
Website: www.jaxairports.org
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Location: The airport is located 4 miles (6km) west of downtown Tampa. Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 between the first Sunday in April and the last Sunday in October).
Facilities: The airport has a bank, ATMs, bureaux de change, a shopping mall and several restaurants, bars and cafes. The business centre at the airport offers internet access, fax and photocopy facilities. The Airport Marriott (located in the terminal) has its own business center and conference rooms. Disabled facilities are good, those with special needs should advise their airline in advance.
Parking: Both short- and long-term parking is available adjacent to the terminal.
Website: www.tampaairport.com
Related Reviews:
- Location Guide California
- Key West Airport, Key West , Florida – Mr Denys Martin
- Key West Airport, Key West , Florida – Mr Denys Martin
- Key West Airport, Key West , Florida – Mr Dudley Brown
- Key West Airport, Key West , Florida – Mr Dudley Brown
- Key West Airport, Key West , Florida – Mr Dudley Brown
- (MIA) Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida – Mr Stephen Odell
- (MIA) Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida – Mr Paul Hare
- South Beach (3401 Collins Ave), Miami, Florida – Mr stephen mcalees
- South Beach (3401 Collins Ave), Miami, Florida – Mr stephen mcalees
