FUN WITH MAPS ISSUE 2026-051

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (March 30, 2026) – This edition of Fun with Maps spreads some sunshine on us.

THE SUNSHINE TERRITORY

On March 30, 1822, the US Congress combined the previous Spanish provinces of East Florida and West Florida to become the Florida Territory.  The area remained a territory until 1845 when Florida was admitted into the Union as the 27th state.

East Florida had St. Augustine as its capital and West Florida had designated Pensacola for its government location.  Within the newly created territory, the capital moved to Tallahassee, a convenient midpoint between the two old capitals.

Despite the government’s attempt to unite the two pieces, there remained a movement to divide Florida in half again, and also to incorporate the western area with Alabama up until the statehood’s admission.

Florida has the longest coastline of the contiguous states and ranks third in population.

The state’s unique ecosystem includes the tropical Everglades National Park and a living coral reef.

This map of Florida by Johnson is from 1862.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps. Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.