Native Americans, then Spanish, then French, then British shaped the history of Florida until the Revolutionary War. Spain eventually ceded Florida to the USA in 1824 with a capital city at Tallahassee. Florida was admitted as the 27th state of the Union in 1845. Surprisingly, Florida only ranks 22nd in size nationally.
Florida real estate boomed after World War I, but in 1926, Florida entered an economic depression before the rest of the country followed with the Great Depression of 1929.
Florida is the fourth most populous state in the nation and thus figures very prominently in politics and economics. Miami-Fort Lauderdale is the major population center, while space launches from the Kennedy Space Center make Florida the nation's key states in the exploration of space.
Orlando is home to Disney World and other huge themed attractions which bring millions of tourists every year. Beaches are very popular getaways for college students as well as families.