Orlando
Orlando ... city of fun
When you hear Orlando, FL, what is the first thing you think about? Almost everyone associated Orlando with one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world, Disney World. Orlando is a city of fun and adventure; it has much to offer you. One trip may not be enough!
Orlando is located in the state of Florida on the North American Continent along the Atlantic Coast. The city is located in central Florida 75 miles northeast of Tampa Beach. Its 50 miles west of Cape Canaveral. The Florida peninsula is dotted with lakes making Orlando almost entirely surrounded by water. The city population is estimated at 1,218,000.
Orlando’s history dates back to 1838 during the Seminole Wars. The U.S. Army erected Fort Gatlin south of present day Orlando City. At the end of the war, settlers and traders settled around Fort Galtin. The settlement grew and in 1857 the city of Orlando was founded. By 1860 Orlando was dedicated to raising cotton and cattle, but tough times were to come. The Civil War drained the town’s resources because people and money were poured into the War. Eventually the economy floundered. But in 1880 The South Florida Railroad extended its line down into Orlando. This addition allowed for the rapid expansion of the Citrus Industry. Orlando’s beginnings were due in part to this industry but in time the City would become the hub for commerce and business in Central Florida. When the 1920’s came along Orlando was an eventful city with a population over 10,000. In 1940 a training field was set up by the Army Air Corps. Orlando started to diversify her economy she started to develop a technological economy. By 1960 the population was over 60,000. Disney World opened in 1971 and is now the world’s most popular man made attraction. By 1998, Walk Disney World announced the attendance of its 600,000,000th guest. They city today welcomes more visitors each year than the population of California. Orlando continues to be the fastest growing community in Florida.
The Climate in Orlando is semi-tropical. The “rainy season” extends from June through September but can go through October when tropical storms hit. During this period you can expect daily afternoon thunderstorms, brining cooler temperatures for the evening, but most summers you won’t see the mercury go above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Also you’ll feel a gentle breeze in Orlando. During the winter you won’t experience much rain at all and afternoons are pleasant with comfortable temperatures. Hurricanes are usually not considered to be a substantial threat to Orlando because of its location inland
Today Orlando is the fifth-ranking US destination of overseas travelers and has the second highest number of hotel rooms in the US. Orlando has established itself as the high tech corridor of Florida, sort of like the Silicon Valley of California.
It’s safe to say that there’s more than plenty to do in Orlando FL. Downtown Orlando features the Harry P Leu Gardens with over 2000 varieties of camellia and a 18th century mansion. The Orlando Science Center and the Orlando Museum of Art also can be found downtown. Of course you have the internationally known Walt Disney World with Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT Center, and Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park. Universal Studios Florida, also in Orlando, is a combination working studio and theme park. Then you have Sea World Orlando with the family favorite Whale and Dolphin Stadium.
Other recommended attractions include the Bok Tower Gardens, Fort Christmas Historical Park, Gatorland, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and Wet ‘N Wild. You can also take a stop at Air Boat Florida and Kissimmee Airboat Rides, American River Cruises, Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, and The Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve. One thing is for sure, whatever your idea of a great time, Orlando is sure to have it!
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