9 Quirky Facts About Florida That Sound Made Up, But Are 100% Accurate

It's hard not to love a solid quirky fact, especially when it's about your home state. Florida has many fascinating facts, most of which might just have you scratching your head in confusion. Sure, these may sound made up, and you might need to Google a few just to verify the validity.

Still, these weird facts about Florida are 100% accurate. And some are downright shocking. Truth really is stranger than fiction, friends...

1. Florida has over 2 trillion dollars of lost treasure off its coast.

Lost treasure, people. Up for grabs! It’s estimated that over 2 trillion dollars worth of lost treasure sits within 60 miles of the coast of Florida. Thanks to the historic shipping trade and pirated routes, this treasure is just waiting to be discovered.

2. Florida is the only place the planet where both crocodiles and alligators reside.

Okay, maybe not harmony per se, but these two large reptiles coexist in Florida together, which is rare. The difference between the two involves crocs having longer, pointier snouts. Crocodiles also have bottom teeth showing when their mouth is shut. Just don’t get too close to try and differentiate, okay?

3. There are no dinosaur fossils in Florida.

Looking for dinosaur bones? Look someplace else. You won’t have any luck finding Dino fossils here in Florida. Why? Because during the dinosaur age, the entire Florida peninsula was underwater and was non-existent as a land mass. This is why you’ll find Megalodon fossils before dinosaur fossils.

4. Florida is one of the only places to have a 9-ton Jesus statue underwater.

Off the coast of Key Largo sits the Jesus Christ of the Abyss, a sunken statue that is worth a dive down deep to see firsthand.

5. The first ATM was installed in Miami, thanks to rollerbladers.

The reason why ATMS came to be: so rollerbladers who couldn’t go to banks could still withdraw money. Who would’ve thunk it?

6. Florida is the flattest state in America.

You might not expect this fact to be true when you visit Florida, but the truth is there aren’t too many hills here at all. In fact, the average elevation here is 100 feet, and the state’s highest natural point is only 345 feet above sea level!

7. Some states have Big Foot, Florida has the Skunk Ape.

That’s right, our mythical creature that roams Florida is said to be the Skunk Ape - a seven-foot-tall, four-hundred-pound mysterious beast that hails from Ochopee.

8. The South Florida Fair serves around 800 gallons of ice cream, 6,750 pieces of corn on the cob, 8,000 soft pretzels, and 12,500 hamburgers each year.

Think those facts are wild? During this 17-day event, over half a million people visit to feast and have fun.

9. Orlando, Florida has more than 100 lakes.

That’s a whole lotta lake, right? Most of these lakes were formed from huge sinkholes, like Lake Eola, with the deepest point of 80 feet.

Are you ready to get out and explore? Check out the OIYS itinerary planner to plan your next adventure in Florida!