Mild climate and more than 1,200 miles of coastline have been the impetus of steady population growth for the Sunshine State since the Second World War. During the war, Florida thrived economically as a major military training area. Needed infrastructure supporting rapid postwar growth was thus in place. Exposure of servicemen to the area as well as the inviting climate made Florida a haven for retirees and winter residents, swelling sizes of some cities tremendously during the “season” (winter months in south Florida and during the fall in northern Florida). Year round nearly 20 percent of visitors are attracted by Disneyworld alone. Residents such as John and Mabel Ringling, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Jack Kerouac were among those lured to Florida for its climate and natural beauty. Migrant workers also increase local populations as they follow harvesting cycles. Tourism, citrus, cattle and phosphorus are currently at the base of Florida’s economic development, though film is becoming important.

African Americans such as Mary McLeod Bethune played a significant role in shaping Florida’s cultural and economic identity, as chronicled in the more than 141 sites listed for the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Native Americans are also prominent. Cuban Americans and Haitian Americans now constitute a significant proportion of the populations in major growth centers, contributing unique cultural influences to areas such as Miami, FL (Little Havana) and Tampa (Ybor City).

Florida is also well known for its unique natural beauty which is well illustrated through writings of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas (The River of Grass), William Bartram (Travels; naturalist art also displayed in the British Museum) and Marjorie Rawlings (The Yearling), as well as Miccosukee and Seminole Indian art and numerous roadside folk artists such as E.B. Ott and Ruby Williams. Zora Neale Hurston (Of Mules and Men) described not only the rich environment of rural Florida, but also provided insight into the struggles of people to coexist in Florida’s subtropical environment. Environment is also a strong feature in works of John MacDonald (Travis McGee series) and sciencefiction writer Kate Wilhelm. Florida’s Keys and sunsets are postcard symbols for the state.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Florida achieved prominence in the glory days of NASA.

Climate played a role in the selection of Cape Canaveral as a primary US spaceport.

Though hurricanes and lightning are common, the strategic location for tracking as well as the generally good weather have made the Cape the primary shuttle launch/ recovery site. The spaceport spurred economic growth and sparked an educational boom in Florida. Today the extensive network of community colleges, private colleges state universities (ten with the newest opening its doors in 1997) leaves no Floridian more than an hour from access to higher education.

The Museum of Florida History opened in 1977 in Tallahassee, provides a glimpse into the rich past and present of Florida.