• Sandy beaches are one of Florida's most important natural resources.florida beachs image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
  
  Florida lies in the bottom half of the southeastern United States. Georgia borders it to the north, while Alabama shares its western boundary. Much of the state is a large peninsula that lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Its warm, tropical climate has given it the nickname "Sunshine State." Due to its geography, Florida contains a diversity of natural resources.
  
  

Climate

• Florida's climate is one of its most important natural resources. Most of the state has a warm, humid climate with abundant sunshine. Southern Florida, the home of the Everglades, has a tropical climate. Although winters are usually mild, cold fronts can bring freezing temperatures down into the northern and central portions of the state and, occasionally, to the southern part as well. Due to breezes from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, Florida's coastal areas tend to have slightly cooler summers and warmer winters than inland areas.
  
  

Soil

• Florida contains rich, sandy soil that supports a diverse agricultural economy. Since the most fertile soil lies in the southern part of the state, much of the wetlands in this region has been drained to make way for farms. Florida produces a number of crops, including oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, tomatoes, strawberries and sugar cane. In addition, the sandy beaches along the state's coastal areas draw many visitors from around the world each year.
  
  

Trees

• Trees cover nearly half of Florida. These forests include a variety of trees, including pine, oak, ash, hickory, sweet gum, beech, maple and mangrove trees. Floridians harvest pine trees for lumber in the northern and southwest regions of the state. These trees are used to make paper products. Florida's forests also provide recreational opportunities for people and a habitat for wildlife.
  
  

Water

• Water is a major natural resource in Florida. Most of the state is surrounded by water. In addition, rivers and lakes are spread throughout the entire state. Florida is also home to numerous hot and cold springs, which contain healthy mineral waters. These water sources provide recreational opportunities, such as snorkeling and fishing, for visitors and residents.
  
  

Minerals

• The state has a diverse store of mineral deposits within its boundaries. Limestone is Florida's most plentiful mineral. Large beds of this mineral underpin most of the state. Phosphate deposits lie in the western and central sections of the state. Florida also has huge stores of peat, gravel and clay spread across the entire state. In addition, northwestern and southern Florida contains natural gas and oil.