Florida designated the Silver Spurs Rodeo (in Kissimmee, Osceola County) as the official state rodeo in 1994. Cattle ranches, rodeos, and cowboys played a large role in the area's history and culture. Texas. South Dakota, and Wyoming also recognize rodeo as an official state symbol. All State Sports
Florida's nickname is "The Sunshine State," adopted officially by Florida legislature in 1970. Another nickname for Florida is The Peninsula State. All State Nicknames
Florida is the fourth most-populated state in the country, and it's beaches draw thousands of tourists every year. Most of the state has a humid subtropical climate, except for the southern part below Lake Okeechobee (which has a true tropical climate).
The moonstone was designated the official state gem of Florida in 1970 to memorialize American astronauts landing on the moon in 1969 (all astronaut-controlled spaceflights had been launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida). . All State Gems & Gemstones
Moonstone is a form of the mineral feldspar and is not found naturally in Florida. According to Gemological Institute of America, "A ghostly sheen moves under the surface of this feldspar, like moonlight glowing in water."
Florida designated agatized coral as the official state stone in 1976 (agatized coral is actually a fossil). Fossilized coral is also a state symbol of Michigan (petoskey stone). All State Stones - All State Fossils
Florida designated the horse conch (Pleuroploca gigantea) as the official state shell in 1969. Also known as the giant band shell, the horse conch shell can grow to a length of twenty-four inches and is native to the marine waters around Florida. The word "conch" comes from a Greek word meaning "shell." All Aquatic Life Symbols
Florida designated the orange as the official state fruit in 2005 due to the efforts of teacher Janet Shapiro and her students at Southside Elementary School, who realized that although the orange blossom was the state flower and orange juice the state beverage, Florida had no state fruit!
Key lime pie was designated the official state pie of Florida in 2006. All State Foods
Key limes are smaller and more perishable, but also more tart and aromatic than the common Persian limes seen year-round in most U.S. grocery stores.
Florida designated coreopsis as the official state wildflower in 1991 (orange blossom is the state flower). Coreopsis has been planted extensively in Florida for highway beautification programs. All State Flowers
Florida designated the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) as the official state saltwater reptile in 2008 (Florida also recognizes the dolphin as the state saltwater mammal, and the manatee as the official state marine mammal, as well as two state fish and two other state re
Florida designated the endangered gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) as the official state tortoise in 2008 (Senate Bill 1486). Florida recognizes two other reptiles as state symbols (American alligator and loggerhead sea turtle). All State Reptiles