Florida is known as the Sunshine State. The name itself came from the great explorer, Ponce de Leon, when he landed in Florida searching for the fountain of youth in 1513. He named it Pascua Florida, or celebration of flowers, which was derived from the celebration of an Easter event in Italy.
Florida's state flag consists of a giant red X across a white flag with the state seal resting in the middle of the X. The flag was adopted in 1899 with a seal consisting of a Native American woman throwing flowers, a cabbage palmetto tree, a steamboat and brilliant sun.
Florida is one of the most well-known states in the country as a tourism hot spot. Known for the sandy beaches, warm weather and sunshine, the state's economy receives a large boost each year from major attractions including Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center and the Daytona 500.
The state is home to over 15 professional sports teams from the NFL to the NHL. Teams include football's Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars, hockey's Florida Panthers, baseball's Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays and basketball's Miami Heat.
