West Virginia borders Ohio and Florida to the northwest.
Florida -LSB- ˈflɒrᵻdə -RSB- -LRB- Spanish for `` land of flowers '' -RRB- is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States .. state. U.S. state. southeastern region. southeastern United States. United States. United States. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico , to the north by Alabama and Georgia , to the east by the Atlantic Ocean , and to the south by the Straits of Florida and Cuba .. Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico. Alabama. Alabama. Georgia. Georgia ( U.S. state ). Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Ocean. Straits of Florida. Straits of Florida. Cuba. Cuba. Florida is the 22nd-most extensive , the 3rd-most populous , and the 8th-most densely populated of the U.S. states .. 22nd-most extensive. List of U.S. states and territories by area. 3rd-most populous. List of U.S. states and territories by population. 8th-most densely populated. List of U.S. states by population density. Jacksonville is the most populous municipality in the state and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States .. Jacksonville. Jacksonville, Florida. state. U.S. state. United States. United States. most populous municipality. List of municipalities in Florida. contiguous United States. contiguous United States. The Miami metropolitan area is Florida 's most populous urban area .. Miami metropolitan area. Miami metropolitan area. most populous urban area. List of urbanized areas in Florida ( by population ). The city of Tallahassee is the state capital .. Tallahassee. Tallahassee, Florida. state. U.S. state. A peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico , the Atlantic Ocean , and the Straits of Florida , it has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States , approximately 1350 mi , and is the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean .. state. U.S. state. United States. United States. Gulf of Mexico. Gulf of Mexico. Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Ocean. Straits of Florida. Straits of Florida. contiguous United States. contiguous United States. longest coastline. List of U.S. states by coastline. Much of the state is at or near sea level and is characterized by sedimentary soil .. state. U.S. state. The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south .. subtropical. subtropical. tropical. tropical. The American alligator , American crocodile , Florida panther , and manatee can be found in the Everglades National Park .. Florida panther. Florida panther. American alligator. American alligator. American crocodile. American crocodile. manatee. manatee. Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park. Since the first European contact was made in 1513 by Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon -- who named it La Florida -LRB- -LSB- la floˈɾiða -RSB- `` land of flowers '' -RRB- upon landing there in the Easter season , Pascua Florida -- Florida was a challenge for the European colonial powers before it gained statehood in the United States in 1845 .. United States. United States. Juan Ponce de Leon. Juan Ponce de Leon. Easter season. Easter season. Pascua Florida. Pascua Florida. colonial powers. colonialism. It was a principal location of the Seminole Wars against the Native Americans , and racial segregation after the American Civil War .. Seminole Wars. Seminole Wars. Native Americans. Native Americans in the United States. American Civil War. American Civil War. Today , Florida is distinctive for its large Cuban expatriate community and high population growth , as well as for its increasing environmental issues .. Cuban. Cuban Americans. The state 's economy relies mainly on tourism , agriculture , and transportation , which developed in the late 19th century .. state. U.S. state. transportation. transportation in Florida. Florida is also renowned for amusement parks , orange crops , the Kennedy Space Center , and as a popular destination for retirees .. Kennedy Space Center. Kennedy Space Center. Florida culture is a reflection of influences and multiple inheritance ; Native American , European American , Hispanic and Latino , and African American heritages can be found in the architecture and cuisine .. Florida culture. Culture of Florida. Florida has attracted many writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings , Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams , and continues to attract celebrities and athletes .. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Ernest Hemingway. Ernest Hemingway. Tennessee Williams. Tennessee Williams. It is internationally known for golf , tennis , auto racing and water sports .. water sports. List of water sports