Florida's Two Major Landforms: Coastal Plain & Central Highlands

Florida's geography is defined by two contrasting landforms that dictate everything from water flow to development patterns.

1. Coastal Plain — The Dominant Feature

• Coverage: ~75% of state
• Topography: Flat, low-lying; gentle slope north→south (avg. gradient <1 ft/mi)
• Elevation: Mostly <100 ft (30 m); highest coastal plain points ~150 ft
• Geology: Sedimentary sequence — limestone (karst), sandstone, clay, phosphate
• Hydrology: Porous limestone = aquifer (Floridan), springs, sinkholes, disappearing streams
• Sub-regions: Panhandle (higher), Peninsula (lower), Everglades (submerged)

2. Central Highlands (Lake Wales Ridge) — The Ancient Spine

• Location: North-south ridge down peninsula center (Polk, Highlands, Lake counties)
• Origin: Ancient beach/dune system (Pliocene-Pleistocene shorelines)
• Composition: Well-drained sands over limestone; relict scrub ecosystem
• Elevation: 100-300 ft (30-90 m) — "high" for Florida
• Highest point: Britton Hill (345 ft / 105 m) — lowest state highpoint in US
• Ecology: Endemic scrub species (scrub jay, gopher tortoise, sand skink)
• Agriculture: Citrus ridge — well-drained soils ideal for groves

Why This Matters

Third Feature Worth Noting

Atlantic Coastal Ridge (Miami Rock Ridge) — 10-25 ft elevation along SE coast; underpins Miami-Dade/Broward development. Not a "highland" but critical for saltwater intrusion barrier.

Florida isn't flat—it's stratified. The Coastal Plain and Central Highlands write the rules for water, wildlife, and where 22 million people live.