Whether or not Ponce de Leon came to Florida in search of a fountain of youth is unclear, but it is clear that some of the areas within the state first explored by the conquistador and his party have become playgrounds for America’s youth. From spring break in 1935 when Colgate University’s men’s swim team chose Fort Lauderdale as the site of their practices, to the 1960 film Where the Boys Are about college girls who travel there to meet boys, Florida has been the destination of choice for college-age men and women struck with spring fever. Recent restrictions on partying by some Florida communities have driven fun seekers to Cancun and Cabo, but the sun and sand of Florida will always draw their share of spring revelers.
Not surprisingly, tourism is the largest sector of Florida’s economy. Hundreds of miles of inviting beaches and its true tropical climate give the Sunshine State its allure. Amusement parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and other destinations help draw the 60 million annual visitors the state hosts. Agriculture is second among the state’s industries and is led by the citrus crop – especially oranges – that produces most of the citrus fruit grown in America.
Roads
Interstate 4: Crossing Florida’s belly like a belt, I-4 divides the state’s northern and southern sections linking Daytona Beach, Orlando, Lakeland and Tampa.
Interstate 10: I-10 crosses Florida’s northern panhandle links the cities of Jacksonville, Pensacola and Tallahassee.
Interstate 75: Linking America’s Great Lakes Region with Florida, I-75 runs as far south as Naples, where it becomes the toll road known as "Alligator Alley”, which continues on to Ft. Lauderdale.
Interstate 95: Running from the Canadian border in Maine to Miami, I-95 is a major north/south highway in America. It enters Florida near Jacksonville before passing through or near Daytona Beach, Melbourne, West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale.