Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, on the Gulf Coast. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia, and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a 2010 estimated population of 18,801,310 by the United States Census Bureau, it is the fourth most populous state in the country. With an area of 65,755 square miles (170,305 km²), Florida ranks 22nd in size among the 50 U.S. states. The state capital is Tallahassee, its largest city is Jacksonville, and the South Florida metropolitan area is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. Florida consists of 67 counties. Each counties consists of cities and towns.
Much of the state of Florida is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. Its geography is marked by a coastline, by the omnipresence of water and the threat of hurricanes. Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, encompassing approximately 1,350 miles (2,170 km). Much of the state is at or near sea level (the highest natural point 345 feet (105 m) above sea level at Britton Hill) and its terrain is characterized by sedimentary soils. The climate varies from subtropical in the north to tropical in the south. Its symbolic animals like the American alligator and the manatee, can be found in the Everglades, one of the most famous national parks in the world.
Much of the state of Florida is situated on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Straits of Florida. Spanning two time zones, It extends to the northwest into a panhandle, extending along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is bordered on the north by the states of Georgia and Alabama, and on the west, at the end of the panhandle, by Alabama. It is near several Caribbean countries, particularly The Bahamas and Cuba. Florida is one of the largest states east of the Mississippi River, and only Alaska and Michigan are larger in water area.
At 345 feet (105 m) above mean sea level, Britton Hill is the highest point in Florida and the lowest highpoint of any U.S. state. Much of the state south of Orlando is low-lying and fairly level; however, some places, such as Clearwater, feature vistas that rise 50 to 100 feet (15 – 30 m) above the water. Much of Central and North Florida, typically 25 miles (40 km) or more away from the coastline, features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 100 to 250 feet (30 – 76 m). The highest point in peninsular Florida, Sugarloaf Mountain, is a 312-foot (95 m) peak in Lake County.
The state line begins in the Atlantic Ocean, traveling west, south, and north up the thalweg of the Saint Mary's River. At the origin of that river, it then follows a straight line nearly due west and slightly north, to the point where the confluence of the Flint River (from Georgia) and the Chattahoochee River (down the Alabama/Georgia line) used to form Florida's Apalachicola River. (Since Woodruff Dam was built, this point has been under Lake Seminole.) The border with Georgia continues north through the lake for a short distance up the former thalweg of the Chattahoochee, then with Alabama runs due west along latitude 31°N to the Perdido River, then south along its thalweg to the Gulf via Perdido Bay. Much of the state is at or near sea level.
Agriculture:
Florida's most important agricultural products, and the ones for which it is most famous, are its citrus fruits. Florida continues to supply the vast majority of orange juice consumed in the US. Florida produced nearly 80% of the nation's oranges and 79% of its grapefruits in 2002. It is also an important producer of other fruits, vegetables, and sugarcane.
The total value of Florida's crops in 2001 exceeded $4.9 billion, 4th highest among the 50 states. Total farm marketings, including livestock marketings and products, exceeded $6.4 billion in 2001 (9th in the US). There were about 44,000 farms covering some 10.2 million acres (4.13 million hectares) in 2002; the total represented nearly 30% of the state's entire land area.
The orange was introduced to Florida by Spanish settlers around 1570. Oranges had become an important commercial crop by the early 1800s, when the grapefruit was introduced. In 1886, orange production for the first time exceeded one million boxes (one box equals 90 lb/41 kg). Much of this production came from groves along the northern Atlantic coast and the St. Johns River, which offered easy access to maritime shipping routes north. The expansion of the railroads and severe freezes in the 1890s encouraged the citrus industry to move farther south. Polk, St. Lucie, Indian River, Hendry, and Hardee counties in central Florida are the largest producers of citrus fruits.
The orange crop totaled 230,000,000 90-lb (41-kg) boxes in the 2001/2002 season. The grapefruit crop was 46,700,000 85-lb (39-kg) boxes; tangerines, 6,600,000 95-lb (43-kg) boxes; and tangelos and temple oranges, 3,700,000 90-lb (41-kg) boxes. There are about 50 processing plants in Florida where citrus fruits are processed into canned or chilled juice, frozen or pasteurized concentrate, or canned fruit sections. Production of frozen concentrate orange juice totaled 235.9 million gallons in 2000. Stock feed made from peel, pulp, and seeds is an important by-product of the citrus-processing industry; annual production is nearly one million tons. Other citrus by-products are citrus molasses, D-limonene, alcohol, wines, preserves, and citrus seed oil.
Florida is the country's 2nd-leading producer of vegetables. Vegetable farming is concentrated in central and southern Florida, especially in the area south of Lake Okeechobee, where drainage of the Everglades left exceptionally rich soil. In 1998, Florida farmers harvested 14,400,000 hundredweight of tomatoes; they sold 9,295,000 hundredweight of potatoes. Florida's tomato and vegetable growers, who had at one time enjoyed a near-monopoly of the US winter vegetable market, began in the 1990s to face increasing competition from Mexican growers, whose lower-priced produce had captured about half the market by 1995. About two-thirds of all farm laborers are hired hands.
Florida's major field crop is sugarcane (mostly grown near Lake Okeechobee), which enjoyed a sizable production increase in the 1960s and 1970s, following the cutoff of imports from Cuba. In 2002, Florida's sugarcane production was 17,606,000 tons. Florida's 2nd-largest field crop is peanuts (197,800,000 lb/ 89,720,000 kg in 2002), followed by cotton, hay, corn, tobacco, soybeans, and wheat. Florida leads the nation in the production of watermelons.
Economy:
The economy is largely driven by tourism and elderly residents. While the increase in older residents has been considered a economic liability in other states, they are an asset in Florida. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Florida in 2007 was $734.5 billion. Its GDP is the fourth largest economy in the United States. In 2010, it became the fourth largest exporter of trade goods. The major contributors to the state's gross output in 2007 were general services, financial services, trade, transportation and public utilities, manufacturing and construction respectively. In 2010–11, the state budget was $70.5 billion, having reached a high of $73.8 billion in 2006–07. The economy is driven almost entirely by its nineteen metropolitan areas. In 2004, they had a combined total of 95.7% of the state's domestic product.
Weather:
The climate of Florida is tempered somewhat by the fact that no part of the state is very distant from the ocean. North of Lake Okeechobee, the prevalent climate is humid subtropical, while coastal areas south of the lake (including the Florida Keys) have a true tropical climate. Mean high temperatures for late July are primarily in the low 90s Fahrenheit (32–34 °C). Mean low temperatures for early to mid January range from the low 40s Fahrenheit (4–7 °C) in northern Florida to the mid-50s (~13 °C) in southern Florida. With an average daily temperature of 70.7 °F (21.5 °C), it is the warmest state in the country.
In the summer, high temperatures in the state seldom exceed 100 °F (38 °C). Several record cold maxima have been in the 30s °F (-1 to 4 °C) and record lows have been in the 10s (-12 to -7 °C). These temperatures normally extend at most a few days at a time in the northern and central parts of Florida. Southern Florida, however, rarely encounters sub-freezing temperatures. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Florida was 109 °F (43 °C), which was set on June 29, 1931 in Monticello. The coldest temperature was -2 °F (-19 °C), on February 13, 1899, just 25 miles (40 km) away, in Tallahassee. The USDA Plant hardiness zones for the state range from zone 8a (no colder than 10 °F (-12 °C)) in the inland western panhandle to zone 11 (no colder than 40 °F (4 °C)) in the lower Florida Keys.
Florida's nickname is the "Sunshine State", but severe weather is a common occurrence in the state. Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States, as it experiences more lightning strikes than anywhere else in the country. Florida has the highest average precipitation of any state, in large part because afternoon thunderstorms are common in most of the state from late spring until early autumn. A narrow eastern part of the state including Orlando and Jacksonville receives between 2,400 and 2,800 hours of sunshine annually. The rest of the state, including Miami, receives between 2,800 and 3,200 hours annually.
Florida leads the United States in tornadoes per square mile (when including waterspouts) but they do not typically reach the intensity of those in the Midwest and Great Plains. Hail often accompanies the most severe thunderstorms. Hurricanes pose a severe threat during hurricane season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30, although some storms have been known to form out of season. Florida is the most hurricane-prone US state, with subtropical or tropical water on a lengthy coastline. From 1851 to 2006, Florida has been struck by 114 hurricanes, 37 of them major—category 3 and above. It is rare for a hurricane season to pass without any impact in the state by at least a tropical storm. For storms, category 4 or higher, 83% have either hit Florida or Texas. August to October is the most likely period for a hurricane in Florida.
In 2004, Florida was hit by a record four hurricanes. Hurricanes Charley (August 13), Frances (September 4–5), Ivan (September 16), and Jeanne (September 25–26) cumulatively cost the state's economy $42 billion. Additionally, the four storms caused an estimated $45 billion in damage. In 2005, Hurricane Dennis (July 10) became the fifth storm to strike Florida within eleven months. Later, Hurricane Katrina (August 25) passed through South Florida and Hurricane Rita (September 20) swept through the Florida Keys. Hurricane Wilma (October 24) made landfall near Cape Romano, just south of Marco Island, finishing another very active hurricane season. Wilma is the second most expensive hurricane in Florida history, due in part to a five year window in which to file claims.
In 2004, Florida was hit by a record four hurricanes. Hurricanes Charley (August 13), Frances (September 4–5), Ivan (September 16), and Jeanne (September 25–26) cumulatively cost the state's economy $42 billion. Additionally, the four storms caused an estimated $45 billion in damage. In 2005, Hurricane Dennis (July 10) became the fifth storm to strike Florida within eleven months. Later, Hurricane Katrina (August 25) passed through South Florida and Hurricane Rita (September 20) swept through the Florida Keys. Hurricane Wilma (October 24) made landfall near Cape Romano, just south of Marco Island, finishing another very active hurricane season. Wilma is the second most expensive hurricane in Florida history, due in part to a five year window in which to file claims.
Visiting in Florida:
During Florida's early days, only wealthy and famous people could afford to vacation there. Some were so fond of Florida that they decided to stay and farm or start another business. Henry S. Flagler was one of those people who fell in love with the Sunshine State and he decided to invest in Florida after a visit in 1883. He began to invest his wealth by building hotels and railroads in Florida. As the railroads grew, it was easier for people to travel to Florida. By 1890, the railways were completed and travel to Florida was made easy for people as far away as New York.
In the early 1900s, thousand of tourists were coming to Florida. They came to stay in the new hotels, rest in the warm weather, enjoy the natural beauty, and some even came to recover from illnesses. Many wealthy people, such as Thomas Edison, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Henry Ford, built winter homes in Florida and visited for months at a time.
The invention of the automobile also made travel easier for people. As cars became less expensive and people had more leisure time, more people had time to go on vacation. Hotels and resorts were still expensive, so some travelers brought their own beds and food. They slept in their cars. Since their food was usually in tin cans, these travelers were known as "tin-can tourists."
In the 1930s, airlines opened up travel schedules to Florida. This provided the way for even more tourists to travel to Florida. Airports were built in major cities, making travel easier for tourists into and around Florida. In the 1930s also, architects designed buildings in Miami Beach in a style called Art Deco. This cheerful, colorful style was popular in the Depression era. Visitors are still attracted to the Art Deco district.
After World War II, the tourist industry quickly became Florida's biggest source of income. At first, the only thing for tourists to see was the natural beauty of Florida. The miles of white sandy beaches, the Everglades with its alligators, panthers and birds, the Florida Keys, with its coral reefs and sport fishing, and the forests of the national parks attracted many nature lovers. There were activities such as fishing, hiking, boating, and swimming taking place throughout the state, but above all, the visitors came to soak up the sun and relax.
There are theme parks built all over Florida. In 1971, Florida became home to one of the largest resorts in the world, Walt Disney World Resort. In the first year, this 28,000-acre park brought about $14 billion dollars to Orlando's economy. This one resort is like a city in itself. It includes Disney's Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, the MGM Movie Studio center, Camp Wilderness, Islands of Adventure, and Animal Kingdom. This theme park has continued to grow throughout the last thirty years and has encouraged other developers to build many other attractions in Florida.
In addition to Walt Disney World Resort, the Orlando area is also home to Sea World, Cypress Gardens, and Universal Studios. In fact, Orlando is the biggest vacation spot in Florida. On the west coast, Busch Gardens and Lowry Park Zoo are two popular attractions. Tampa Bay has hosted two Super Bowl Games. On the east coast is Kennedy Space Center's Spaceport USA. With the popularity of boat cruises increasing, Florida waters have become a major location for people taking cruises in the Caribbean.
Today, tourism is the most important factor driving Florida's economy. About forty million people visit Florida yearly. The money visitors spend in Florida supports many businesses. Amounting to over $40 billion dollars each year, tourism is the state's greatest source of income. As tourism continues to grow, so will Florida.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. According to 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a population of 183,606. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which is home to over 5,413,212 people.
The city is a popular tourist destination, with 10.35 million visitors in 2006. Fort Lauderdale is sometimes known as the "Venice of America" because of its expansive and intricate canal system. The city is a major yachting center, with 42,000 resident yachts and 100 marinas and boatyards in 2006. The city sits 23 miles north of Miami. Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area host over 4,000 restaurants and 120 nightclubs in 2006.
Fort Lauderdale is named after a series of forts built by the United States during the Second Seminole War. The forts took their name from Major William Lauderdale, who was the commander of the detachment of soldiers who built the first fort. However, development of the city did not begin until 50 years after the forts were abandoned at the end of the conflict. Three forts named "Fort Lauderdale" were constructed; the first was at the fork of the New River, the second at Tarpon Bend, in what is now known as the Sailboat Bend neighborhood, and the third near the site of the Bahia Mar Marina.
Armando Magtalas Balajadia went to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA on January 26, 2011 to attend the 4-day convention of 5LINX National Convention held at Broward Convention Center. This is Armando's first time to visit in Florida. Armando wants to visit in Florida later but his dream were came true because of the 5LINX National Convention held at Broward Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He took his flight on January 26, 2011 thru Virgin American Airlines. This was a good flight because it is a direct flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The flight took about 6 hours. The time in Florida is 3 hours ahead from California and so Armando had a jet log, too. After the arrival, he went to Ramada Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport Cruiseport to stay there for few days during the convention with his business partners like Alicia de Jesus, Eduardo Fausto, and so on. The hotel is just approximately 2 miles from the airport. He was not able to attend the 1st day convention of 5LINX National Convention because he was too tired and sleepy as well from the flight.
On January 27, 2011, Armando Magtalas Balajadia and his business partners of 5LINX had their breakfast at Ramada Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport Cruiseport where they were staying during the 4-day convention of 5LINX held at Broward Convention Center. The buffet breakfast there is only a continental and it is free to all the guests. If you want the hot or deluxe breakfast, you have to pay $3.00 but it is still a buffet breakfast. Armando and his business partners were taking their breakfast first before they will attend the convention. After the breakfast, there's a shuttle bus that goes to the airport, Fort Everglades, and Broward Convention Center. Since there's a free shuttle bus, he and his business partners did not get or reserve a rental car. The shuttle bus schedule there has a 30 minute gap from 5:00am to 12:00am and so there's no need to take a taxi. You will have to take a taxi if you will go to other places especially in beaches.
The 2nd day of 5LINX National Convention was held on January 27, 2011 at Broward Convention Center. Armando Magtalas Balajadia and his business partners were attended the convention. This is also the main registration day for all 5LINX Independent Marketing Representatives (IMRs). The line was so long during the registration at the booth. The 1st day convention on January 26, 2011 was all about the commercial training for all 5LINX IMRs and also the early registration. Armando and his business partners were not able to attend the commercial training because the registration booth was closed at 7:30pm and the commercial training was also started. Anyway, after the registration, he and his business partners were attended the different seminars and topics. The seminars and topics are similar to classes in schools in universities because each IMR can choose the seminar or topic that he or she would like to attend. The seminars and topics were held at the function rooms of Broward Convention Center. The speakers or lecturers are the Double Platinum Senior Vice-Presidents (DPSVP), Platinum Senior Vice-Presidents (PSVP), and Senior Vice Presidents (SVP). Their uplines like Mr. C. Anthony Harris, Allan Taunan, and Earl John "EJ" Pardo are the speakers in the seminars. After the seminar, the group of Earl John "EJ" Pardo and Allan Taunan had a short meeting with recognitions. There are many IMRs under the group of Earl John "EJ" Pardo and Allan Taunan who are promoted to Senior Vice-Presidents, National Directors, Executive Directors, and Executive Trainees.
The 3rd day of 5LINX National Convention was held on January 28, 2011 at Broward Convention Center. Armando Magtalas Balajadia and his business partners were attended the convention. The 3rd day convention was all about the special announcements and trainings from the founders of 5LINX like Mr. Craig Jerabeck (President and CEO), Mr. Jeb Tyler (Executive Vice-President for Marketing), and Mr. Jason Guck (Executive Vice-President for Sales). The IMRs who are very successful in the business like Double Platinum Senior Vice-Presidents (DPSVP), Platinum Senior Vice-Presidents (PSVP) and Senior Vice-Presidents (SVP) gave also the trainings to all IMRs. Also, there's a recognition for the newly promoted Executive Trainees, Executive Directors, and National Directors.
After the trainings and special announcements, everyone in the group went to the downtown area of Fort, Lauderdale, Florida to have a short tour there and to have a lunch as well. Mr. Louie Casañas, the newly promoted Senior Vice President (SVP) gave a treat to his some downlines at one of the restaurants there. Everyone likes sandwiches and bagels. After the one-hour lunch break, everyone went back to Broward Convention Center.
After their lunch, they went back to the convention center immediately to prepare flags and banners for the recognition of Senior Vice Presidents (SVP) in the group of Earl John "EJ" Pardo and Allan Taunan. The first recognized was Ms. Dorothy Campbell. She's from Sierra Leone, West Africa. She's a positive minded person and focus in the business although she has a lot of rejections. Right now, she's a brand new SVP with the support of her uplines and downlines. The next one was Ms. Marlyn Mendioro from Philippines. She joined in the business just 18 months and because of her positive attitude, she's now also a brand new SVP. Everyone in the group were very inspired with the brand new SVPs. The brand new SVPs will receive a brand new BMW car and a cruise trip to Europe with other SVPs, PSVPs, DPSVPs, and the founders of 5LINX. If you reach to a SVP position, you will get a great residual income, allowance, brand new BMW car, and an annual vacation for free.
The 4th day of 5LINX National Convention was held on January 29, 2011 at Broward Convention Center. Armando Magtalas Balajadia and his business partners were attended the convention. The 4th day convention was all about the special announcements, bonuses, promotions, and incoming events of 5LINX. The good news is that if you become SVP by May 11, 2011 which is the next 5LINX National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, you will get a bonus of $10,000. You will get $10,000 if you are present also in the national convention.
After lunch break, they went back to the convention center immediately to prepare flags and banners for the recognition of Senior Vice Presidents (SVP) and Platinum Senior Vice President (PSVP)in the group of Earl John "EJ" Pardo and Allan Taunan. The first recognized was Crystal Cadiz. Crystal, an American-Filipino, is a student of San Jose State University and a resident of San Jose, California. She's the first youngest SVP ever in the history of 5LINX. While studying, she's doing her business as a part-time basis. She's doing her business seriously while studying because right now, it is hard to find a job and the economy is not good. For her, it is not reasonable or excuse to ignore the business opportunity that God has given to us. Right now, she will finish her studies at San Jose State University. After her graduation, she will concentrate her business at 5LINX and she will not looking for a job anymore. Another Filipino who promoted to SVP position was Florante Cimafranca. Florante joined in the networking business for the first time which is 5LINX. For him, 5LINX is a a good business to everyone. You don't have to take any courses in business or economics in order to do a business at 5LINX. All you need to do is to follow the system and seek trainings and advices from the upline business partners. Right now, he's a SVP in the group and his family members are very proud to him. There are many IMRs in other groups who were also recognized as SVP and PSVP, respectively. Here's the most excitement part in the group, Earl John "EJ" Pardo is promoted to Platinum Senior Vice President (PSVP). EJ is the first Asian, first Filipino, and first Californian who become a PSVP in the history of 5LINX. He came to USA by himself only and started as a sushi chef. EJ has no friends and relatives in USA when he came and he did a business in 5LINX very seriously because he needs to support his family in Philippines. Because of his desire and goals, he is now a brand new PSVP in the group. EJ will receive another brand new BMW car, huge allowances, residual income, and Platinum Pool Bonus. He will join also in the European Cruise this coming May 2011 and it is a paid vacation by 5LINX. After the recognitions, there are raffles and prizes like iPod, iPad, cellphones, tickets for the 5LINX National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, round trip tickets to Atlantic City, New Jersey, hotel accommodations to Atlantic City, New Jersey, and European Cruise with 5LINX officers, DPSVPs, PSVPs, and SVPs as a major prize.
After the 4-day convention of 5LINX, everyone were attended the 5LINX Beach Party held also at Broward Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on January 29, 2011 from 9:00pm up to 3:00am. This is also the victory party to all IMRs who are very successful in the business. The Beach Party is not all about wearing swimsuits but it is all about wearing colorful casual clothes. There are many people in the party including the corporate officers of 5LINX. Cocktail drinks and beer were served in the party with dancing and fun as well. Armando Magtalas Balajadia and his business partners were already went back to hotel at 12:00am because Armando will travel to Freeport, Bahamas on the following day while his business partners like Eduardo Fausto will go home on the next day and Alicia de Jesus and her friends will travel to Fort Lauderdale and Miami on the next day also. Armando was decided to go to Freeport, Bahamas instead of Fort Lauderdale and Miami because Port Everglades is located besides the Broward Convention Center. There's a cruise that offers a same day round trip to Bahamas which is Discovery Cruise Line located at Port Everglades.
On January 31, 2011, Armando Magtalas Balajadia went home in early morning because he will go to work at Morton Salt in Newark, California in afternoon. He took his flight thru Virgin America Airlines from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This was a good flight because it is a direct flight and the flight took about 6 hours. Although Armando has no chance to visit in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and other adjacent cities, he's very happy because he went to Bahamas and had a tour there. Later, Armando will do his best to visit in Florida again because he likes the state of Florida especially the weather and places as well. This is a good and memorable experience to Armando.
