エリクソンの州紹介シリーズ第3弾。

今回紹介するのはフロリダです!
ディズニーランド、美しいビーチなどを思い浮かべる方も多いと思います。
中米の国々の影響でスペイン語を話す人が多くいらっしゃるそうですよ!

WEEK 3

Name: Florida
Year of Admittance: 1845
Size: 170,312 km2
Population: 21,477,000
Largest City: Jacksonville
Capital: Tallahassee

The US state of Florida has the 3rd largest population in the U.S..  Originally a territory of Spain it was eventually ceded to the United States.  Having a Spanish background and close proximity to many Spanish speaking countries and territories, such as Cuba and Puerto Rico; Florida has one of the highest Spanish speaking populations in the US, over 20% of the population speaks Spanish as their mother tongue.  Florida’s nickname is the “Sunshine State” however, there are many occurrences of severe weather, hurricanes and thunderstorms.  The climate is a subtropical and humid climate with most of the state having temperatures from 10 degrees in winter to 33 in summer.   The only living coral barrier reef in the continental US is located in Florida as well as the beautiful UNESCO world heritage, Everglades National Park.

Florida is known for Disneyworld, which there are 4 parks, Universal studios and many other theme parks.  Alligators are very common in Florida and can often be seen on the roads, highways and even in parking lots, there are many restaurants and places where you can eat alligator meat.  Because it is near Cuba, there is also a big influence of Cuban food, especially in southern Florida or the Miami area.  There are many beautiful beaches and islands, so I recommend going to Florida if you have a chance!

Vocabulary

To be ceded – (領土などが)譲渡される
Proximity – 近接
Mother Tongue – 母国語
Occurrences – 発生
Thunderstorms – 雷雨
Subtropical – 亜熱帯の
Coral Reef – サンゴ礁
As well as – も同様に
Influence – 影響

Florida Keys Highway (181km long highway over the sea)
Miami, Florida