Descriptions

Florida is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. The Miami metropolitan area is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States.

Florida is distinguished by its large Hispanic community, and high population growth. Its economy relies mainly on tourism, agriculture and transportation, which developed in the late 19th century. Florida is also known for its amusement parks, the production of oranges and the Kennedy Space Center.

Florida culture is a reflection of influences and multiple inheritance; Native American, European American, Hispanic and African American heritages can be found in the architecture and cuisine. Florida has attracted many celebrities and athletes. It is internationally known for tennis, golf, auto racing and water sports.

 A 2009 list of national housing markets that were hard hit in the real estate crash included a disproportionate number in Florida. The early 21st century building boom left Florida with 300,000 vacant homes in 2009, according to state figures. In the third quarter of 2009, there were 278,189 delinquent loans, 80,327 foreclosures.Sales of existing homes for February 2010 was 11,890, up 21% from the same month in 2009.

Education

Florida's public primary and secondary schools are administered by the Florida Department of Education.

The State University System of Florida was founded in 1905, and is governed by the Florida Board of Governors. During the 2010 academic year, 312,216 students attended one of these member institutions.

Florida's first private university, Stetson University, was founded in 1883. The Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida is an association of 28 private, educational institutions in the state. This Association reported that their member institutions served over 121,000 students in the fall of 2006.