安地瓜與巴布達

佛羅里達(Florida)

美國東南部一州。位於東南海岸突出的半島上，首府塔拉哈西，位於西北部鍋柄狀地區。遠在一萬年以前，古印第安人便從北部進入佛羅里達。1513年左右龐塞.德萊昂來此探險，1565年西班牙人建立聖奧古斯丁。1763年法國印第安人戰爭後佛羅里達歸英國人所有，美國革命後（1783）這個地區受西班牙控制。1812年戰爭期間，彭薩科拉被英國人當作基地，僱用印第安人和逃亡奴隸不斷騷擾美國的居民點。1819年安德魯.傑克森率軍攻佔彭薩科拉，使得佛羅里達被割讓給美國。接著發生與塞米諾爾印第安人的戰爭（參閱Seminole wars）。佛羅里達於1845年成為美國的州。20世紀晚期成為美國成長最快速的州，全國約75%的柑桔產於該州，是第二大蔬菜生產州，僅次於加州。旅遊業是主要工業，迪士尼世界（參閱Disney World and Disneyland）是重要景點。電子產業亦重要；以甘乃迪太空中心為中心的航太工業，僱用了數以千計的員工。該州有許多古巴人，特別是邁阿密，他們對加勒比海區的經濟扮演重要角色。該州還有大沼澤地國家公園。面積151,939平方公里。人口約15,982,378（2000）。

English version：

Florida

State (pop.,1997 est.: 14,654,000),southeastern U.S. It comprises a peninsula and adjoining mainland areas,and covers 58,664 sq mi (151,940 sq km); its capital is Tallahassee. Indian groups entered Florida from the north as early as 10,000 years ago. It was explored by Juan Ponce de Leon c. 1513,and in 1565 Spaniards founded St. Augustine. Florida became a British possession in 1763 after the French and Indian Wars. The area reverted to Spanish control after the American Revolution (1783) but was used by the British as a base of operations during the War of 1812. Andrew Jackson's capture of Pensacola during that war led to the cession of Florida to the U.S. in 1819. A war with the Seminole Indians followed (see Seminole Wars). Florida became a state in 1845. It seceded from the Union in 1861,then was readmitted in 1868. In the late 20th century,it became one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. It produces about 75% of the nation's citrus fruits,and is second only to California in vegetable production. Tourism is a leading industry,with Disney World a major attraction. Electronics manufacture is important,and the aerospace industry,centered on the Kennedy Space Center (see Cape Canaveral),employs many thousands of people. The state,and especially the city of Miami,with its large Cuban population,plays a major economic role in the Caribbean region. Among its many recreational areas is Everglades National Park.