Culture of Florida

Many parts of rural central and northern Florida are similar to the rest of American Southern culture, particularly around the Panhandle.

In the larger cities such as Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, where there has been a large number of people moving from other parts of the United States (mostly New York, New Jersey and Illinois), and even other areas of the world, the culture is much more diverse, and has been heavily influenced by Caribbean, Latin American, Jewish, and European culture.

The state's close proximity to the ocean influences many aspects of Florida culture and daily life.

This helps drive home construction, infrastructure expansion, as well as the banking and financial planning industries.

Florida is also an important agricultural state, producing large amounts of vegetables, fruits, cattle, and dairy products.

Light manufacturing has recently increased in Florida, and a number of companies have moved their headquarters to the state, attracted by lower taxes and less regulations.

[1] Florida's public education system identifies over 200 first languages other than English spoken in the homes of students.

Writers affiliated with the locale of Florida include William Bartram, Elizabeth Bishop, James Branch Cabell, Hart Crane, Stephen Crane, Harry Crews, Nilo Cruz, John Fleming, Ernest Hemingway, Carl Hiaasen, Jay Hopler, Zora Neale Hurston, José Martí, Campbell McGrath, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Wallace Stevens, and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, The Allman Brothers all hailed from Northern Florida.

According to the Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape Study, Florida's populations is 70% Christian (the largest sect of which is "Evangelical Protestant"), 6% non-Christian, and 24% "No Religion" or "Nothing in Particular."

Additionally, Major League Soccer has two teams, Orlando City SC, and Inter Miami FC.