The State of Florida has established and maintains over 160 state parks along the sea coasts and riverbanks, forests and prairies. These provide wonderful opportunities to explore historic forts and museums and to see the wildlife and landscapes of Old Florida. The Florida Panhandle is the unofficial term used for the northwestern part of Florida starting from Pensacola on the western edge to the Tallahassee area which is over 200 miles. Inland it is dominated by timber country and on the coast by miles of white, sandy beaches.