Book excerpt: An amazing atlas, directory, tourist guide, reference manual, and history book all in one—for natives, visitors, and new residents in the Sunshine State! From basic history and tourist information to obscure facts—such as the size of the largest squash grown—this book has it all. After reading the list of derivatives for the name of each Florida county, the Lake City Reporter called a previous edition of this book “indispensable” and described it as containing “just about everything you ever wanted to know about Florida—and a good deal of information you probably never really thought about.” In addition to listings of national memorials, monuments, and landmarks, this volume contains road maps of each county, charts of rivers and waterways, and facts about Florida’s geography and climate. For those who are visiting the state, there are sections on major attractions, annual festivals, state parks, and lodging as well as regulations for boating, fishing, and hunting. The chapters on education, crime, residency, taxes, and utilities will be invaluable to people who are considering moving to Florida. Anyone interested in the history and settlement of the Sunshine State will appreciate the facts about Native American cultures and the chronology of major events in Florida’s past. Also included are various statistics and a hurricane survival guide. Packed with information and including a detailed index, it’s a useful, comprehensive reference—and a fascinating resource for geography lovers.