The answer, once you’ve cut through the oddly complicated bit of history surrounding the creation of the state, is a simple one: Alabama lost out on its rightful share of Florida’s Panhandle because our founding fathers decided to take something that didn’t belong to them.
When did Florida offer to sell the Panhandle to Alabama?
1869
In 1869, the Florida Panhandle was almost sold to Alabama. The Alabama governor, David Lewis, offered the Sunshine State $1 million for everything from where the Flora-Bama Bar sits today to the Apalachicola River. And Florida almost took Alabama up on the offer.
How did Florida get its northern border?
The Spanish wanted the expanded northern boundary Britain had made to West Florida, while the new United States demanded the old boundary at the 31st parallel north. This border controversy was resolved in the 1795 Treaty of San Lorenzo when Spain recognized the 31st parallel as the boundary.
Why is it called the Panhandle in Florida?
They’re called panhandles because they tend to look like, well, the handle on a pan. There are nine states that officially have these extensions. Actually, there are 10 panhandles because one state has two of them.
Does Alabama have a coastline?
Alabama’s shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico stretches for 60 miles. The tidal shoreline that borders all of the coastal bays, rivers, and bayous in Mobile and Baldwin counties extends another 600 miles, with the shoreline around Mobile Bay accounting for about 100 of those miles.
Is the Florida Panhandle considered the Deep South?
Like the rest of North Florida, including North Central Florida, the Panhandle is more similar in culture and climate to the Deep South than the rest of the state, particularly to Central Florida and South Florida in the lower peninsula, being known for its conservative politics and “piney woods.”
What city in Florida is closest to Alabama?
Dothan. The largest city in Alabama on the Alabama-Florida border is Dothan, located near the southeastern corner of the state. The 2009 U.S. Census says Dothan’s population is 67,560. The city’s downtown area is approximately 15 minutes from the Alabama-Florida border.
When was Florida last underwater?
4.5 to 2.5 million years ago
The last major sea level high stand was 4.5 to 2.5 million years ago, when Florida was submerged for the last time in geologic history. The next 2.5 million years are know as the Ice Age.
Is Florida built on sand?
And, the amount of soil in any location is dynamic – there can be erosion, or weathering, or many processes that lead to soil deposition and loss. Florida is a unique state. It has the reputation of being made of sand, but that is not always the case. Along the 832 miles from Pensacola to Key West, the soil varies.
What was Florida originally called?
In Spanish, Easter Sunday is often called La Pascua de las Flores—the festival of flowers. So a prominent early theory states that de León named the new land La Pascua Florida in honor of Easter Sunday.
What 3 states have a panhandle?
The following nine states have panhandles: Connecticut, Maryland, West Virginia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Idaho and Alaska.
Are there alligators in the Florida Panhandle?
Gator sightings are rare, but there are still plenty of them in the lakes, swamps and waterways of the Panhandle. South Florida has millions of alligators, but the Panhandle only has thousands.
What is the only state with 2 panhandles?
West Virginia
Out of all 50 states, West Virginia has the most distinct shape, with two panhandles extending to the north and east.
Why does Alabama not have more coastline?
The land was split evenly to make the territories of Mississippi and Alabama of equal size to Georgia. At this point, both Alabama and Mississippi were landlocked, with no coastal shoreline.
What beach has the clearest water in Alabama?
Fort Morgan Beach
Alabama is well known for its beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. Fort Morgan Beach is a hidden beach with the clearest water in Alabama.
Why does Alabama have white sand beaches?
These beaches have quartz grains that were washed down thousands of years ago from the Appalachian Mountains to create some of the finest shorelines in the world.
Why is Florida not a southern state?
“Technically Florida is in the south but culturally it has been argued that it is not depending on where you come from in the state. North Floridians would tend to argue that Florida is a southern sate in the south but south Floridians would claim that there is nothing southern about the State.
What does Dirty South refer to?
“Dirty South” is an expression that endearingly refers to the southern part of the United States—from Virginia to Florida, Texas, and the states in between—whose Black traditions and artistic expressions have shaped the culture of the region and the nation.
Why is South Florida so different?
North and South Florida differ in many ways, including geography, culture, and weather. The North is more conservative, has colder winters, and has a more diverse economy. South Florida has more tourism, with many popular beaches, warmer summers, and lively nightlife.
What is the poorest city in Alabama?
Oak Hill
With a median household income of $9,286 (compared to $44,758 for the state), Oak Hill is the poorest community in Alabama.
Where is the clearest water on the Gulf Coast?
Destin has the clearest water due to its proximity to Choctawhatchee Bay.