Many sandy islands Barrier Reef stretches from Fort Myers (Fort Myers) to Terpon Springs (Tarpon Springs). The island chain reappear at the west coast of Florida and further north, just west of the Gulf of Apalachee (Apalachee Bay) and extend as far west as Alabama's borders.

Bay Hillsborough (Hillsborough Bay), on the banks of which the city spread Tampa (Tampa) can be called one of the most beautiful harbors of the state. It is protected from the open waters of all the storms of the Gulf of Mexico extended line of alluvial sandy islands and shoals.

Other harbor west coast, similarly protected from the wind barrier islands and reefs - a bay Pensacola (Pensacola Bay), Choktavatchi Bay (Choctawhatchee Bay) and the bay of Charlotte (Charlotte Harbor).

 

Florida's climate is called the most valuable and important "natural resource". Most of the peninsula has a humid subtropical climate, but in the South Florida climate even more hot - tropical.

That climate attracts millions of tourists to the state and the new citizens - those who love the warmth and evergreen trees. But especially a lot of state guests coming to Florida in the winter.

Parrots Florida

In winter south Florida - one of the warmest places on the North American continent. Average January temperatures there are about 18 ° - 21 ° C.

Summer - hot season in all areas of Florida. However, the summer temperatures south of the state is not higher than in its northern cities because of the weather of the southern areas of the state affected by ocean breezes. And, although South Florida is much closer to the tropics, there is much less of extremely hot days than in the north of the state.

Most storms sweep over Florida with heavy rains that overwhelmed the rivers and lakes. Floods cause major damage especially cities in South Florida, the land which lies almost at sea level.

However, modern methods of construction and accurate weather forecasting helped to reduce the amount of devastation caused by hurricanes. But this does not mean that there are fewer risky situations: in August 1992 during Hurricane Andrew, which swept over the south-east of Florida, killing more than 40 people. Material damage caused by the hurricane was estimated at more than $ 20 billion. In the city of Homestead (Homestead), near Miami, 90% of city buildings were inflicted damage.

Normally, the rainy season in Florida lasts from late July to early November. And most hurricanes raid on the state in September.