FLORIDA'S BOUNTY

The mild, almost tropical, climate in Florida is one of the state’s main attractions. Winter temperatures average in the 60’s whilst summer temperatures average in the mid 80’s. The searing heat that sometimes strikes the interior of the country – often continuing through the night – simply does not occur in Florida due to the moderating influence of the Atlantic and the Gulf. Cooling breezes and refreshing rain showers totaling around 50 inches per year are the norm in sunny Florida.

Florida is a large state with a long coastline. From Northwest Florida to Key West, it is almost 850 miles and nowhere in the state is much more than an hour’s drive from salt water. Most of Florida rests on porous limestone overlaid by sand and clay. Acting as a giant sponge during the summer rains, the Florida Aquifer is like a vast underground reservoir supplying the state with water.

Industry and commerce are mostly centered around Jacksonville, Tampa and St. Petersburg, Orlando, Daytona Beach and Miami. Florida’s main commerce is agriculture and tourism, both of which are largely oriented around the state’s abundant sunshine. There is virtually no heavy industry and consequently, air pollution is rare. Other industries include electronics, high-tech and light manufacturing.

Florida is geared towards population growth whilst maintaining a high quality of life and so it is the perfect destination for vacationers, owners of second homes and retirees. Income taxes are prohibited by the State Constitution and the inheritance tax is the minimum amount set by the Federal Government. The main revenue sources for the state are property taxes and sales taxes. The only long-term debt involves local bond issues for specific projects.

The leading vacation, second home and retirement areas are located in a broad swath across the southern portion of the state, below Daytona Beach on the east coast and below Tampa on the west coast. Many of these communities today however have become bustling cityscapes marred by traffic congestion, notably those on the southeast coast between Palm Beach and Miami. By contrast, the west coast from Fort Myers south to Marco Island – the Sunset Coast - is relatively untouched and strict county guidelines ensure that residential developments are master-planned so that the natural beauty and pristine wilderness of the area remains unspoiled.