Map of Florida – Cities, Geography, Counties & Stats (2024)

Florida is a southeastern U.S. gem that sits on a long, flat peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Gulf of Mexico on the west.

To the north, it shares borders with Alabama and Georgia.

As the southeasternmost state, Florida is a magnet for tourists and home to iconic destinations like Walt Disney World, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, Universal Orlando Resort, Miami Beach, the Everglades, Key West, and the beautiful Florida Keys.

Originally known as “La Florida” under Spanish rule, the territory was officially ceded to the United States in 1819.

It became Florida Territory and, on March 3, 1845, joined the Union as the 27th state.

Florida State Map and Satelite View

Florida covers an area of 65,758 square miles (170,312 square kilometers), making it the 22nd largest U.S. state by size.

To put this in perspective, Florida is roughly half the size of Finland and nearly twice as large as Maine.

Water bodies make up a significant portion of the stateโ€™s areaโ€”around 12,133 square miles (31,424 square kilometers)โ€”which is almost 20% of Floridaโ€™s total area, giving the state an impressive blend of coastal, freshwater, and wetland ecosystems.


California remains the most populous state, though its population slightly declined by 0.19% from 2022 to 2023.

Texas and Florida saw the highest growth rates among the top ten states, with Floridaโ€™s population increasing by 1.62% and Texas by 1.55%.

New York experienced a notable population decrease of 3.16% since 2020, while Pennsylvania and Illinois also saw slight declines.

Florida Population Heat Map

Florida, with an estimated population of 21.6 million as of 2020, ranks as the third most populous state in the United States, following California and Texas according to Census.

But according to World Population Review in 2024 it has 22,975,900 residents.

This growing population is spread across a mix of urban centers, coastal communities, and rural areas, reflecting Floridaโ€™s diverse landscape and cultural mix.

Cities and Towns

Apalachicola Islamorada New Smyrna Beach
Arcadia Jacksonville Ocala
Avon Park Jacksonville Beach Okeechobee
Bartow Jupiter Orlando
Belle Glade Kendall Ormond Beach
Boca Raton Key Largo Pahokee
Bonita Springs Key West Palatka
Bradenton Kissimmee Palm Bay
Brooksville Lake City Palm Coast
Cape Coral Lake Wales Panama City
Clearwater Lakeland Pensacola
Coral Springs Largo Perry
Crestview Leesburg Pompano Beach
Dade City Live Oak Port Charlotte
Daytona Beach Madison Port St Joe
De Funiak Springs Marathon Port St Lucie
De Land Marianna Punta Gorda
Delray Beach Melbourne Sanford
Deltona Merritt Island Sarasota
Eustis Miami Sebring
Everglades City Miami Beach Spring Hill
Fernandina Beach Moore Haven St Augustine
Fort Lauderdale Naples St Petersburg
Fort Myers New Smyrna Beach Starke
Fort Pierce Ocala Tallahassee
Fort Walton Beach Okeechobee Tampa
Gainesville Orlando Titusville
Hialeah Ormond Beach Valparaiso
Hollywood Pahokee Vero Beach
Homestead Palatka West Palm Beach
Islamorada Palm Bay Winter Haven

Largest Cities

Largest Cities in Florida by Metropolitan Area Population Chart
Largest cities in Florida by metropolitan area population chart

Floridaโ€™s largest metropolitan area, however, is the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area, home to approximately 6.1 million people, making it one of the most dynamic and internationally recognized regions in the state.

Other major cities include Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and St. Petersburg, all of which contribute to the stateโ€™s economic and cultural diversity.

English is the primary language spoken by approximately 70% of Floridians, while nearly 22% of the population speaks Spanish, reflecting the stateโ€™s substantial Hispanic and Latino communities.

The racial composition of Florida based on the most recent data:

Racial Composition of Florida Chart
Racial composition of Florida chart

Counties

Alachua Baker Bay
Bradford Brevard Broward
Calhoun Charlotte Citrus
Clay Collier Columbia
DeSoto Dixie Duval
Escambia Flagler Franklin
Gadsden Gilchrist Glades
Gulf Hamilton Hardee
Hendry Hernando Highlands
Hillsborough Holmes Indian River
Jackson Jefferson Lafayette
Lake Lee Leon
Levy Liberty Madison
Manatee Marion Martin
Miami-Dade Monroe Nassau
Okaloosa Okeechobee Orange
Osceola Palm Beach Pasco
Pinellas Polk Putnam
Saint Johns Saint Lucie Santa Rosa
Sarasota Seminole Sumter
Suwannee Taylor Union
Volusia Wakulla Walton
Washington

Florida is made up of 67 counties, from Alachua to Washington, listed here alphabetically.

Covering an area of 65,758 square miles, Florida ranks as the third most populous state in the U.S.

In the northern panhandle region, located in Leon County, is Tallahassee, Floridaโ€™s capital.

Known for its role in education, Tallahassee serves as a key academic center for both the state and the country.

Meanwhile, in northeastern Florida along the St. Johns River lies Jacksonville, the stateโ€™s largest and most populated city.

These are the 10 most populous counties in 2024:

Most Populous Counties In Florida Chart (2024)
Most populous counties in Florida chart

Geography

Relief Map of Florida

Relief Map of Florida
Floridaโ€™s main regions are the Coastal Plains, North Central, Everglades, and the Keys

Florida is known for its remarkably flat terrain, with its highest natural point, Britton Hill, reaching only 345 feet (105 meters) above sea level. Major attractions include the Florida Keys, Everglades, and Big Cypress Swamp.

The state experiences a humid, subtropical climate, with annual rainfall averaging between 40 to 60 inches (101 to 152 cm).

Florida’s unique landscape can be divided into four main geographical regions: the Coastal Plains, Everglades, North Central, and the Keys, each contributing to its ecological and cultural diversity.

The Coastal Plains

Covering a large portion of Florida, the Coastal Plains consist of flatlands with sandy and clay-rich soils that slope gently toward the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

Marshes and wetlands dominate this area, particularly in the Big Bend region of the panhandle, which remains sparsely populated due to its dense woodlands and marshes.

The Everglades


Often called the “River of Grass,” the Everglades in southern Florida is one of the most iconic wetland ecosystems globally.

Covering approximately 1.5 million acres, this tropical wetland is a sanctuary for numerous plant and animal species, including the West Indian Manatee, American Crocodile, American Alligator, and the endangered Florida Panther.

North Central

The North Central region, located in northern Florida, stands out with gently rolling hillsโ€”a rare sight in the state.

This area includes the stateโ€™s highest elevation at Britton Hill and is rich with pine forests, magnolia trees, and Spanish moss.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys, an archipelago of over 1,700 islands extending from the southern tip of Florida, are among the most famous destinations for their tropical charm and diverse marine life.

The Dry Tortugas National Park, covering 100 square miles (259 square kilometers), is a highlight in this region, offering a glimpse of vibrant coral reefs, marine biodiversity, and rare bird species.

Florida Rivers and Lakes

 

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Florida is home to over 7,700 lakes, with Lake Okeechobee being the largest, covering roughly 730 square miles (1,891 square kilometers).

The state also boasts an extensive network of rivers, stretching over 25,000 miles (40,000 kilometers) in total length.

The longest of these is the St. Johns River, which spans more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) and has a unique feature: due to Atlantic tides, its flow reverses direction twice daily.

The Suwannee River is the second-longest, measuring 246 miles (396 kilometers).

Although the Miami River is much shorter at only about 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers), it plays a key role in the city of Miami.

Florida has more than 8,400 miles of coastline, with distinct ecosystems along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean:

This is the state with the highest concentration of freshwater springs in the world, with over 1,000 documented springs

Fun Facts

  • 20% of Floridaโ€™s area is water.
  • Florida has 33 first-magnitude springs (flowing at over 100 cubic feet per second), the most of any state.
  • Saltwater Intrusion: The proximity of many aquifers to coastal areas creates a unique challenge of saltwater intrusion, affecting the freshwater supply.

Weather Map and Time Zones

Florida shows the Kรถppen-Geiger climate zones, highlighting the state’s diverse climate regions.

The majority of Florida falls under the humid subtropical (Cfa) zone, covering areas from northern Florida down through central parts, including cities like Tallahassee, Orlando, and Tampa.

This zone is characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and significant humidity.

In the southern tip, the climate shifts to tropical types:

  • The Tropical Savanna (Aw) zone includes regions near Naples and the surrounding area, where thereโ€™s a distinct dry season.
  • Tropical Monsoon (Am) and Tropical Rainforest (Af) climates are found along the southeastern coast, including Miami and Jupiter. These zones experience heavy rainfall, particularly in the summer, with warm temperatures year-round.

The state experiences warm temperatures year-round, with average summer highs reaching the 90s ยฐF (32-37ยฐC) and mild winters rarely dipping below 40ยฐF (4ยฐC) in the north.

Annual rainfall varies, with central and southern Florida receiving around 60 inches (152 cm) per year, often from intense summer thunderstorms.

Hurricane season, lasting from June to November, is particularly significant, as Florida is one of the most hurricane-prone states in the U.S.

The southern coast and Keys are especially vulnerable, though hurricanes can impact the entire state.

Florida spans two time zones: Eastern Time Zone (ET) and Central Time Zone (CT).

  • Eastern Time Zone (ET): The majority of Florida, including major cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, falls within the Eastern Time Zone. This time zone aligns with much of the East Coast and runs five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5) during standard time, changing to UTC-4 during Daylight Saving Time.
  • Central Time Zone (CT): A small portion of northwestern Florida, specifically in the Panhandle area west of the Apalachicola River, observes Central Time. Cities in this region, such as Pensacola, Destin, and Fort Walton Beach, operate one hour behind Eastern Time, observing UTC-6 during standard time and UTC-5 during Daylight Saving Time.

Florida National Parks Map


Floridaโ€™s National Park Service sites include diverse ecosystems and historically significant locations.

Everglades National Park protects wetlands crucial for species like the American crocodile and Florida panther.

Big Cypress National Preserve and Canaveral National Seashore offer undeveloped lands supporting wildlife and natural vegetation.

Historical sites, such as Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas, feature colonial forts with historical reenactments.

Gulf Islands National Seashore extends to barrier islands, while De Soto and Fort Caroline memorials recognize early European expeditions.

Timucuan Ecological Preserve protects coastal wetlands and Timucua Native American sites, emphasizing cultural and ecological conservation.

Major Airports in Florida


Airport Name Location IATA Code
Orlando International Airport Orlando MCO
Miami International Airport Miami MIA
Tampa International Airport Tampa TPA
Fort Lauderdaleโ€“Hollywood International Airport Fort Lauderdale FLL
Southwest Florida International Airport Fort Myers RSW
Jacksonville International Airport Jacksonville JAX
Palm Beach International Airport West Palm Beach PBI
Pensacola International Airport Pensacola PNS
Sarasotaโ€“Bradenton International Airport Sarasota/Bradenton SRQ
Daytona Beach International Airport Daytona Beach DAB
Tallahassee International Airport Tallahassee TLH
St. Peteโ€“Clearwater International Airport St. Petersburg/Clearwater PIE
Gainesville Regional Airport Gainesville GNV
Key West International Airport Key West EYE
Melbourne Orlando International Airport Melbourne MLB
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Panama City ECP
Orlando Sanford International Airport Sanford SFB

Floridaโ€™s network of airports provides seamless flights to its vibrant cities and attractions.

Orlando International Airport (MCO), the busiest in the state, welcomes millions eager to explore Orlandoโ€™s theme parks and resorts.

Miami International Airport (MIA) serves as a major hub for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean, while Fort Lauderdaleโ€“Hollywood International Airport (FLL) offers budget-friendly flights for South Florida visitors.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) caters to those exploring the Gulf Coast, while Southwest Florida International (RSW) in Fort Myers connects travelers to the pristine beaches of southwest Florida.

Jacksonville International (JAX) serves as the main gateway to the northeast coast, and Palm Beach International (PBI) efficiently handles flights to the Treasure Coast.

Regional airports like Sarasotaโ€“Bradenton (SRQ), Pensacola (PNS), and Key West (EYW) add convenience, making flights across Floridaโ€™s diverse landscapes easy, enhancing the stateโ€™s popularity year-round.

Crime Map

Floridaโ€™s safety is average compared to other U.S. states, earning a C grade.

The state ranks in the 45th percentile for safety, meaning 55% of states are safer, while 45% are more dangerous according to Crimegrade.

Within Floridaโ€™s boundaries, the crime rate stands at 47.90 incidents per 1,000 residents per year. Generally, residents consider the eastern part of Florida to be the safest, while areas in the southeast have higher crime rates.

The most dangerous city in Florida is Belle Glade, with a violent crime rate of 1,310 per 100,000 people, which is 406% above the state average.

On the rise is Marianna, with violent crime significantly above the state average at 1,183 per 100,000 people. This small city has long faced crime challenges, and recent data suggests a continued struggle with safety, placing Marianna high on the list of dangerous cities in Florida according to AreaVibes.

Conversely, Orlando has seen fluctuations in crime, with a current rate of 836 violent crimes per 100,000 people.

  • Chance of Crime: Residents in southeast neighborhoods may face a 1 in 14 chance of being a crime victim, while those in the east may experience rates as low as 1 in 43.
  • The highest number of crimes, around 483,014 annually, occurs in southeastern Florida, while the southwestern region reports fewer incidents, with about 14,666 cases yearly.

High crime rates in areas like retail districts, airports, parks, and schools can be misleading due to high visitor numbers in these locations.

For instance:

  • Retail Areas: Crimes often occur in busy retail districts that attract large numbers of people during the day but have low residential populations.
  • Airports and Parks: With 17 major airports and over 3,488 parks and recreational areas, crime rates may seem inflated in these zones because theyโ€™re frequented by visitors rather than residents.

The breakdown below outlines crime rates per 1,000 residents in Florida according to crime grade:

Violent Crimes (D+)

Violent Crime Rates In Florida Chart
Violent crime rates chart

Property Crimes (B-)

Property Crimes in Florida Chart
Property crimes chart

Other Crimes (C-)

Crime Rates In Florida Chart
Crime rates chart

References:

  1. World Population ReviewFlorida Population 2024
  2. U.S. Census BureauFlorida Data Profile
  3. AreaVibesMost Dangerous Cities in Florida