FLORIDA

one of the United States, northwards through peninsular Florida to the Atlantic. Its tributary, tho Ocklawaha, has its course so flat that for a long distance it spreads out into the forest for half a mile cr more on either side, so that nothing is seen but trees and water. The Appal a chi cola and Suwanee flow into the Gulf of Mexico. There are many lakes throughout the peninsula, the largest being Okeechobee (area 1,250 sq. miles), Numerous islands are scattered along the south and west coasts, the most remarkable of which is a group, or rather a long chain, called the Florida Keys at the southern extremity of Florida. The most important of these is Key West, containing the city and forming the south-eastern extremity | naval station of same name. of the country, and having the Gulf of Products. The state produces trop i 483 FLORIDESR cal plants and fruits in great perfection, especially oranges, lemons, limes, shaddock, . The planting of orange groves is being carried on extensively, and oranges are now @ speciality of Florida. Tobacco, cotton,sugar, maize, potatoes, rice and oats are among the other productions. The forests form an important source of wealth. The minerals are unimportant. Animals, Birds, etc. The wild antmals comprise panthers, cougars, wolves, bears, foxes, raccoons, opo ums, deer, . Birds are extremely numerous and various. The coasts, rivers and Jakes swarm with fish; tortoises and turtles also abound. The swamps and other inland waters are infested with alligators. Snakes are numerous, but most of them are harmle . j;; Climate. The climate in general is excellent, and the state is much frequented as a winter health resort for invalids, many large and modern hotels having been built for the accommodation of visitors. Towns. Florida, long in a backward condition, has made great advances in prosperity, being now well supplied with means of communication, and towns and villages rapidly springing up. Tall a has see is the capitat and seat of government, but the largest towns are Jacksonville (pop. 129,549), Miami (110,637), Tampa (pop. 101,161), St. Petersburg (40,425), Pensacola (pop. 31,579), Orlando eeettas and West Palm Beach 26,610). St. Augustine is the oldest town in the United States. History. Florida was first explored in 1512 and 1516 by Ponce de Leon, a Spanish adventurer. It was ceded to Great Britain by Spain in 1763 in exchange for Cuba; reacquired by the Spaniards in 1781, and confirmed to them at the peace of 1783. It was ceded to the United States in 182i, and organized as a territory in 1822. A long series of conflicts with the Seminole Indians retarded its praspority. Im 1845 it was admitted into the Union. In 1861 it seceded from the Union, to which it was not readmitted till 1868. Pop. in 1910, 752,619; pop. by 1930 census, 1,468,211.—BiBLIOGRAPHY: S.Lanier, Florida: its Scenery, Climate, and History; W. W. Davis, The Civil War and Reconstruction in Florida. FLORID’EAE. See RED ALGAzI. _ FLORID GOTHIC, that highly enriched variety of Gothic architecture which prevailed in Hngland in the fifteenth and at the beginning of the sixteenth century; often called the Tudor style, as it flourished chiefly during the Tudor era.