Florida is a magic place -- full of sun, beaches and theme parks for young and old alike, it also contains some of the most interesting natural history sites in the nation. Long favored as a retirement destination, Florida is still the most popular vacation destination in the country. Florida, the southeasternmost American state, is surrounded by water -- the Atlantic on the east side and the Gulf of Mexico on the west side. Miami is known for its Latin-American culture while Orlando is famous for Walt Disney World and many other attractions. Florida's first Indigenous inhabitants have lived on the peninsula for at least 12,000 years. Written records about life in Florida began with the arrival of Spanish explorers in 1513. Florida became the twenty-seventh American state March 3, 1845. NASA's Kennedy Space Center continues to play a key role in the exploration of space and the launch of missions to the Moon and the International Space Station. AUTHOR: Michael Worek is a writer and editor with a special interest in nature, history, and American architecture and urban development. His previous books include Nobel: A Century of Prize Winners and An American History Album.