With a warm climate and an abundance of tourist attractions such as Walt Disney World, Florida is a vital location in terms of financial productivity. The economy of Florida is closely tied to tourism with its signature beaches and mild temperatures making it a perennially favorite vacation destination.

Economy

Walt Disney

Walt Disney World Resort is made up of four theme parks, two water parks, six golf courses, over twenty hotels and is a major contributor to the state’s overall economy. It is a favorite among both kids and adults who are looking for a break from the rigors of their day-to-day reality.

Agriculture

The state is also heavily dependent on agriculture with an emphasis on the production of oranges, orange juice and other citrus products. Phosphate mining and banking are other staples of the Florida economy and help to make it one of America’s financial centers.

Technology

The state is also known to have a high number of telemarketing firms. Unfortunately, the economy is becoming less reputed for its swelling numbers of underhanded internet marketers, or spammers. Spammers send broadcast e-mails to hundreds and thousands of people in attempts to sell products or services and the industry has apparently gained a foothold in Florida.

Population

The workforce that drives Florida’s economy and financial success is derived from the approximate 17,500,000 people who live there. Floridians are ethnically diverse with 65.4 percent of the population being White, 16.8 percent Hispanic, 14.6 percent Black, 1.7 percent Asian, 0.3 percent Native American, and 2.4 percent of racially mixed background. The majority of Floridians speak English while a high number of residents, 16.5 percent, speak Spanish as a first language. Some of the most densely populated cities that are key economic locations include Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Fort Lauderdale.

Sports

There are an exceptionally high number of professional sports franchises in Florida which account for a portion of the state’s financial and economic growth and importance. Teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars are part of the National Football League, while the Orlando Magic represent the state in the National Basketball Association.

Fortune 1000 Companies

There are 33 Fortune 1000 companies in the state of Florida that are considered to be the state’s largest big business companies. Some of the companies at the top of the list include Office Depot, Winn-Dixie, Tech Data, and AutoNation.