It would be great if read out not too fast as it is intented to be used for beginner learners.
Florida - the Sunshine State
The name "Florida" is Spanish and means "full of flowers". The Spanish landed in this part of America in 1513. They came to look for gold - and the Fountain of Youth. There was an Indian legend that the water from this fountain made you young forever. But the Spanish never found it.
Americans call Florida the Sunshine State because there are so many days in Florida when the sun shines. The largest city is Miami. Its Indian name - mayami - means "place neat the big water. Florida is a very beautiful state, famous for its rivers, lakes and orange trees. And, of course, there is the sea, and there are the beaches and the tourist attractions.
The Kennedy Space Center is on the east coast at Cape Canaveral, about fifty miles from Orlando. In 1969 the first people flew from here to the moon. What people notice first at the Space Center is how big everything is. Visitors can go on a bus and see the launching pads, and they can go to the astronauts' training centre. There is a rocket museum where you can learn about the history of space travel.
Walt Disney World is a few miles south of Orlando. It is so big that you can easily spend several days there. You can meet Mickey Mouse, ride on a Mississippi river boat, fly to Mars, go fishing, canoeing, riding and much more.
The Epcot Center is a part of Disney World. Here you can see examples of future technology. You can see life in an underwater city of the future. Or you can travel back into the past. And you can visit "different" countries, too. You can have a meal in France, for example, or a coffee in Italy.
The Everglades National Park is in the southwest of Florida. It is one of the largest and most interesting national parks in America. You can sail along the rivers in a boat and see hundreds of birds and wild animals - even alligators.
St. Augustine is in the northeast of Florida. It is the oldest town in America. The Spanish founded it in 1565. America's oldest house is here, too.
The southernmost point of the USA is Key West. From here it is only about 90 miles to Cuba. The road between Miami and Key West goes over 25 islands and 42 bridges. It is over 100 miles long. The longest bridge is Seven Mile Bridge. You can drive for seven miles over the sea.
