Resorts in Florida - US

In 1513, Ponce de León, seeking the mythical “Fountain of Youth,” discovered and named Florida, claiming it for Spain. Later, Florida would be held at different times by Spain and England until Spain finally sold it to the United States in 1819. Florida has a diversity of habitats that support a rich flora and fauna. Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain and named this new land "Pascua de Florida," which translates as "feast of flowers." Florida became the 27th state of the United States on March 3, 1845. Today, Florida is known as the Sunshine State. The state capitol resides in Tallahassee. In honor of Florida's spectacular natural resources, state legislators have identified several state symbols.