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Orlando, Florida

January 01, 1970

"Orlando" redirects here. For other uses, see Orlando (disambiguation).

Orlando (/ɔːrˈlændoʊ/ or-LAN-doh) is a city in, and the county seat of, Orange County, Florida, United States. Part of Central Florida, it is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831 in 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States and the third-largest metropolitan area in Florida behind Miami and Tampa Bay. Orlando had a city population of 307,573 in the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa.[4] It is the state's most populous inland city.

Orlando
City
Downtown Orlando skyline
Universal Studios Florida
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom
SeaWorld Orlando
Church Street Station
The Wheel at ICON Park
Kia Center
Orlando City Hall
Orange County Courthouse
Flag
Seal
Nicknames: 
The City Beautiful, O-Town, Theme Park Capital of the World
Interactive map of Orlando
Orlando
Location within Florida
Orlando
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 28°32′24″N 81°22′48″W / 28.54000°N 81.38000°W / 28.54000; -81.38000[1]
CountryUnited States
StateFlorida
CountyOrange
Settled (Jernigan)1843; 181 years ago (1843)
Incorporated (Town of Orlando)July 31, 1875; 148 years ago (1875-07-31)
Incorporated (City of Orlando)February 4, 1885; 139 years ago (1885-02-04)
Named forOrlando Reeves, a soldier killed during the Seminole War
Government
 • TypeStrong Mayor–Council
 • MayorBuddy Dyer (D)
 • City Council
Members
  • Jim Grey (R)
  • Tony Ortiz (R)
  • Robert Stuart (D)
  • Patty Sheehan (D)
  • Regina Hill (D)
  • Bakari F. Burns (D)
Area
[2]
 • Total119.08 sq mi (308.41 km2)
 • Land110.85 sq mi (287.10 km2)
 • Water8.23 sq mi (21.31 km2)
 • Urban
644.61 sq mi (1,669.5 km2)
Elevation
[1]
89 ft (27 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total307,573
 • Rank67th, U.S.
 • Density2,774.65/sq mi (1,071.30/km2)
 • Urban
1,853,896 (26th U.S.)
 • Urban density2,876.0/sq mi (1,110.4/km2)
 • Metro
2,691,925 (23rd U.S.)
 • CSA
4,222,422 (15th U.S.)
DemonymOrlandoan
GDP
[3]
 • Orlando (MSA)$194.5 billion (2022)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
32801-32812, 32814-32822, 32824-32837, 32839, 32853-32862, 32867-32869, 32872, 32877-32878, 32885-32887, 32891, 32896-32897, 32899
Area codes407, 689
FIPS code12-53000
GNIS feature ID2404443[1]
Websitewww.orlando.gov

Orlando is one of the most-visited cities in the world primarily due to tourism, major events, and convention traffic. It is the third-most visited city in the U.S. after New York City and Miami, with over 2.9 million visitors as of 2022.[5] Orlando International Airport is the 13th-busiest airport in the United States and the 29th-busiest in the world.[6] The two largest and most internationally renowned tourist attractions in the Orlando area are the Walt Disney World Resort, opened by the Walt Disney Company in 1971 and located about 21 miles (34 km) southwest of downtown Orlando in Bay Lake, and the Universal Orlando Resort, opened in 1990 as a major expansion of Universal Studios Florida and the only theme park inside Orlando city limits.

With the exception of the theme parks, most major cultural sites like the Orlando Museum of Art and Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and world-renowned nightlife, bars and clubs are located in Downtown Orlando. Other attractions like The Wheel at ICON Park are located along International Drive. The city is also one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions; Orange County Convention Center is the second-largest convention facility in the United States.

Like other major cities in the Sun Belt, Orlando grew rapidly from the 1960s into the first decade of the 21st century. Orlando is home to the University of Central Florida, which became the largest university campus in the United States in terms of enrollment as of 2015.[needs update] In 2010, Orlando was listed as a "Gamma+" level global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.[7]

Etymology edit

Fort Gatlin, as the Orlando area was once known, was established at what is now just south of the city limits by the 4th U.S. Artillery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander C. W. Fanning on November 9, 1838, during the construction of a series of fortified encampments across Florida during the Second Seminole War.[8] The fort and surrounding area were named for John S. Gatlin, an Army physician who was killed in Dade's Massacre on December 28, 1835. The site of construction for Fort Gatlin, a defensible position with fresh water between three small lakes, was likely chosen because the location was on a main trail and is less than 250 yards from a nearby Council Oak tree, where Native Americans had traditionally met. King Phillip and Coacoochee frequented this area and the tree was alleged to be the place where the previous 1835 ambush that had killed over 100 soldiers had been planned.[9] When the U.S. military abandoned the fort in 1839, the surrounding community was built up by settlers.[8]

Prior to being known by its current name, Orlando was once known as Jernigan. This name originates from the first European permanent settlers, Issac and Aaron Jernigan, cattlemen who moved from the state of Georgia and acquired land 2 miles (3.2 km) northwest of Fort Gatlin along the west end of Lake Holden in July 1843 by the terms of the Armed Occupation Act.[10][11] Aaron Jernigan became Orange County's first state representative in 1845, but his pleas for additional military protection went unanswered.[12]

Fort Gatlin was briefly reoccupied by the military for a few weeks during October and November 1849, and subsequently a volunteer militia was left to defend the settlement.[11] A historical marker indicates that by 1850, the Jernigan homestead (or Fort Gatlin in some sources)[13] served as the nucleus of a village named Jernigan.[14] According to an account written years later by his daughter, at that time, about 80 settlers were forced to shelter for about a year in "a stockade that Aaron Jernigan built on the north side of Lake Conway". One of the county's first records, a grand jury's report, mentions a stockade where it states homesteaders were "driven from their homes and forced to huddle together in hasty defences [sic]." Aaron Jernigan led a local volunteer militia during 1852.[11]

A post office opened at Jernigan in 1850. Jernigan appears on an 1855 map of Florida, and by 1856, the area had become the county seat of Orange County.[15][8] In 1857, the post office was removed from Jernigan, and opened under the name of Orlando at a new location in present-day downtown Orlando.[11] During the American Civil War, the post office closed, but reopened in 1866. The move is believed to be sparked, in part, by Aaron Jernigan's fall from grace after he was relieved of his militia command by military officials in 1856. His behavior was so notorious that United States Secretary of War Jefferson Davis wrote, "It is said they [Jernigan's militia] are more dreadful than the Indians."[16] In 1859, Jernigan and his sons were accused of committing a murder at the town's post office. They were then transported to Ocala, but escaped.[14]

At a meeting in 1857, debate had grown concerning the name of the town. Pioneer William B. Hull recalled how James Speer (a local resident, and prominent figure in the stories behind the naming of Orlando) rose in the heat of the argument and said, "This place is often spoken of as 'Orlando's Grave.' Let's drop the word 'grave' and let the county seat be Orlando."[13][16]

The origin of the name is unknown but at least five stories relate how Orlando got its name. The most common stories are that the name Orlando originated from the tale of a man who died in 1835 during an attack by Native Americans in the area during the Second Seminole War. Several of the stories relay an oral history of the marker for a person named Orlando, and the double entendre, "Here lies Orlando." One variant includes a man named Orlando who was passing by on his way to Tampa with a herd of oxen, died, and was buried in a marked grave.[17]

Through a retelling of history, a marker of some sort was believed to have been found by one of the original pioneers, but Speer's family has since claimed that Speer simply used the Orlando Reeves legend to help push his plan for naming the settlement after the Shakespearean character from As You Like It, his favorite play.[13] This has become the most common accepted version of how Orlando got its name.

Orlando Reeves edit

Historians agree that likely no soldier was named Orlando Reeves.[18] Folklore is that Reeves was acting as a sentinel for a company of soldiers that had set up camp for the night on the banks of Sandy Beach Lake.[19] Several different lakes are mentioned in the various versions, as no soldiers were in what is now downtown during 1835.[20]

The legend grew throughout the early 1900s, particularly with local historian Olive Brumbaugh (or Kena Fries[19][verification needed]) retelling in various writings and on local radio station WDBO in 1929.[13] Another historian, Eldon H. Gore, promoted the Reeves legend in History of Orlando published in 1949.[13] A memorial beside Lake Eola – originally placed by students of Orlando's Cherokee Junior School in 1939 and updated in 1990 – designates the spot where the city's supposed namesake fell.[18][19]

Conflicting legends exist. One legend has Reeves killed during an extended battle with the Seminoles after being field promoted after his platoon commander fell.[13] An in-depth review of military records in the 1970s and 1980s, though, turned up no record of Orlando Reeves ever existing.[13][18][19] Some versions attempt to account for Reeves having no military records by using the name of other people named Orlando that exist in some written records – Orlando Acosta; however, not much is known about Acosta or whether he even existed. Another version of the story has Orlando Reed, supposedly an Englishman and mail carrier between Fort Gatlin and Fort Mellon, allegedly killed while camping with his friends near Fort Gatlin.[13]

A second variation also places the story in 1835 during the Second Seminole War. This name is taken from a South Carolinian cattle rancher named Orlando Savage Rees. Rees owned a Volusia County sugar mill and plantation, as well as several large estates in Florida and Mississippi.[13] Rees' sugar farms in the area were burned out in the Seminole attacks of 1835 (the year Orlando Reeves supposedly died). Subsequently, Rees led an expedition to recover stolen slaves and cattle. In 1837, Rees also attempted to stop a peace treaty with the Seminoles because it did not reimburse him for the loss of slaves and crops.[16]

Rees could have left a pine-bough marker with his name next to the trail; later residents misread "Rees" as "Reeves" and also mistook it as a grave maker.[16] In subsequent years, this story has merged with the Orlando Reeves story (which may have originally incorporated part of Dr. Gatlin's story).[13]

On two separate occasions, relatives of Rees claimed their ancestor was the namesake of the city. F. K. Bull of South Carolina (Rees' great-grandson) told an Orlando reporter of a story in 1955; years later, Charles M. Bull Jr., of Orlando (Rees' great-great-grandson) offered local historians similar information.[16] Unlike Orlando Reeves, who cannot be traced to any historical record, the record is considerable that Orlando Rees did exist and was in Florida during that time. For example, in 1832, John James Audubon met with Rees in his large estate at Spring Garden, about 45 minutes from Orlando.[16]

Orlando (As You Like It) edit

 
Lake Lucerne, c. 1905

The final variation has the city named after the protagonist in the Shakespeare play As You Like It.[13]

In 1975, Judge Donald A. Cheney put forth a new version of the story in an Orlando Sentinel article.[16] Cheney (a local historian and then chairman of the county historical commission[21]) recounted a story told to him by his father, Judge John Moses Cheney (a major figure in Orlando's history, who arrived in Orlando in 1885).

The elder Cheney recounted that another gentleman at that time, James Speer, proposed the name Orlando after the character in As You Like It.[13] According to Cheney, Speer, "was a gentleman of culture and an admirer of William Shakespeare ..."[16] Quoting a letter that Speer wrote, "Orlando was a veritable Forest of Arden, the locale of As You Like It."[22] Speer's descendants have also confirmed this version of the naming and the legend has continued to grow.[16]

This account also has some validity in that, as mentioned above, Speer was instrumental in changing the name of the settlement from Jernigan to Orlando, though he may have used the Orlando Reeves legend in lieu of his true intent to use the Shakespearean character. According to yet another version of the story, Orlando may have been the name of one of his employees.[13][17] One of downtown Orlando's major streets is named Rosalind Avenue; Rosalind is the heroine of As You Like It, but this could also be a coincidence.

History edit

See also: Timeline of Orlando, Florida

Settlement edit

In 1823, the Treaty of Moultrie Creek created a Seminole reservation encompassing much of central Florida, including the area that would become Orlando. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized relocation of the Seminole from Florida to Oklahoma, leading to the Second Seminole War. In 1842, white settlement in the area was encouraged by the Armed Occupation Act. The first settler, Mr. Aaron Jernigan of Camden County, Georgia, arrived the following year and settled near Lake Holden.

 
Mizell-Leu House (built 1888), a fine example of Florida Vernacular Style Architecture. The home is located in the Mizell-Leu House Historic District.

Mosquito County was renamed Orange County in 1845, with the county seat shortly thereafter relocated to Mellonville, a few miles west of Sanford. By 1856, settlement had begun in earnest in the interior of the county and a more centrally-located Courthouse was sought. The new town of Orlando, laid out in 1857,[8] consisted of four streets surrounding a courthouse square. The fledgling village suffered greatly during the Union blockade. The Reconstruction Era brought on a population explosion, resulting in the incorporation of the Town of Orlando on July 31, 1875, with 85 residents (22 voters). For a short time in 1879, the town revoked its charter, and was subsequently reincorporated.[23] Orlando was established as a city in 1885.[24]

The period from 1875 to 1895 is remembered as Orlando's Golden Era, when it became the hub of Florida's citrus industry. The period ended with the Great Freeze of 1894–95, which forced many owners to give up their independent citrus groves, thus consolidating holdings in the hands of a few "citrus barons", who shifted operations south, primarily around Lake Wales in Polk County.[17] The freeze caused many in Florida, including many Orlandoans, to move elsewhere, mostly to the North, California, or the Caribbean.

 
The Wyoming Hotel, c. 1905

Notable homesteaders in the area included the Curry family. Through their property in east Orlando flowed the Econlockhatchee River, which travelers crossed by fording. This was commemorated by the street's name, Curry Ford Road. Also, just south of the Orlando International Airport in the Boggy Creek area are 150 acres (0.61 km2) of property homesteaded in the late 19th century by the Ward family. This property is still owned by the Ward family, and can be seen from southbound flights out of Orlando International Airport immediately on the south side of SR 417.

Post-Industrial Revolution edit

Orlando became a popular resort during the years between the Spanish–American War and World War I. In the 1920s, Orlando experienced extensive housing development during the Florida Land Boom, causing land prices to soar. During this period, dozens of neighborhoods in the vicinity of downtown were constructed. The boom ended when several hurricanes hit Florida in the late 1920s, along with the Great Depression.

During World War II, a number of Army personnel were stationed at the Orlando Army Air Base and nearby Pinecastle Army Air Field. Some of these servicemen stayed in Orlando to settle and raise families. In 1956, the aerospace and defense company Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) established a plant in the city. Orlando AAB and Pinecastle AAF were transferred to the United States Air Force in 1947 when it became a separate service and were redesignated as air force bases (AFB). In 1958, Pinecastle AFB was renamed McCoy Air Force Base after Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, a former commander of the 320th Bombardment Wing at the installation, killed in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet bomber north of Orlando. In the 1960s, the base subsequently became home to the 306th Bombardment Wing of the Strategic Air Command, operating B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, in addition to detachment operations by EC-121 and U-2 aircraft.

In 1968, Orlando AFB was transferred to the United States Navy and became Naval Training Center Orlando. In addition to boot camp facilities, the NTC Orlando was home of one of two Navy Nuclear Power Schools, and home of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division. When McCoy AFB closed in 1976, its runways and territory to its south and east were imparted to the city to become Orlando International Airport, while a small portion to the northwest was transferred to the Navy as McCoy NTC Annex. That closed in 1995, and became a housing, though the former McCoy AFB still hosts a Navy Exchange, as well as national guard and reserve units for several branches of service. NTC Orlando was completely closed by the end of 1999 by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and converted into the Baldwin Park neighborhood. The Naval Air Warfare Center had moved to Central Florida Research Park near UCF in 1989.

 
Lucerne Circle, c. 1905
 
Lake Eola in 1911

Tourism in history edit

Perhaps the most critical event for Orlando's economy occurred in 1965 when Walt Disney announced plans to build Walt Disney World. Although Disney had considered the regions of Miami and Tampa for his park, one of the major reasons behind his decision not to locate there was due to hurricanes – Orlando's inland location, although not free from hurricane damage, exposed it to less threat than coastal regions. The vacation resort opened in October 1971, ushering in an explosive population and economic growth for the Orlando metropolitan area, which now encompasses Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake Counties. As a result, tourism became the centerpiece of the area's economy. Orlando now has more theme parks and entertainment attractions than anywhere else in the world.[25]

Another major factor in Orlando's growth occurred in 1962, when the new Orlando Jetport, the precursor of the present-day Orlando International Airport, was built from a portion of the McCoy Air Force Base. By 1970, four major airlines (Delta Air Lines, National Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and Southern Airways) were providing scheduled flights. McCoy Air Force Base officially closed in 1975, and most of it is now part of the airport. The airport still retains the former Air Force Base airport code (MCO).

21st century edit

 
View of downtown Orlando (center) and periphery to Lake Apopka (upper-right); January 2011

Today, the historic core of "Old Orlando" resides in downtown Orlando along Church Street, between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue. The urban development and the central business district of downtown have rapidly shaped the downtown skyline during recent history. The present-day historic district is primarily associated with the neighborhoods around Lake Eola but stretches west across the city to Lake Lorna Dune and north into the College Park Neighborhood where you can find century-old oaks line brick streets. These neighborhoods include the "Downtown Business District," "North Quarter," "Parramore," "Callahan," "South Eola Heights, "Lake Eola Heights,"Thornton Park" and "College Park", and contain some of the oldest homes in Orlando.

2016 mass shooting edit

Main article: Orlando nightclub shooting

On June 12, 2016, more than 100 people were shot at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando. Fifty (including the gunman) were killed and 60 were wounded. The gunman, whom the police SWAT team shot to death, was identified as 29-year-old Omar Mir Seddique Mateen, an American security guard. The act of terrorism was both the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history at the time and one of the deadliest mass shootings perpetrated by a single person in recorded world history. Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State during his unsuccessful negotiations with police.[26] After the shooting, the city held numerous vigils. In November 2016, Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer announced the city's intention to acquire the Pulse Nightclub to build a permanent memorial for the 49 victims of the shooting. The city offered to buy it for $2.25 million, but the club's owner declined to sell.[27]

Geography and cityscape edit

The geography of Orlando is mostly wetlands, consisting of many lakes and swamps. The terrain is generally flat, making the land fairly low and wet.[28] The area is dotted with hundreds of lakes, the largest of which is Lake Apopka. Central Florida's bedrock is mostly limestone and very porous; the Orlando area is susceptible to sinkholes. Probably the most famous incident involving a sinkhole happened in 1981 in Winter Park, a city immediately north of downtown Orlando, dubbed "The Winter Park Sinkhole".

See also: List of neighborhoods in Orlando, Florida

There are 115 neighborhoods within the city limits and many unincorporated communities. Orlando's city limits resemble a checkerboard, with pockets of unincorporated Orange County surrounded by city limits. Such an arrangement results in some areas being served by both Orange County and the City of Orlando. This also explains Orlando's relatively low city population when compared to its metropolitan population. The city and county are working together in an effort to "round-out" the city limits with Orlando annexing portions of land already bordering the city limits.[29][failed verification]

Skyscrapers edit

 
Lake Eola with the backdrop of Orlando's skyline

Metro Orlando has a total of 19 completed skyscrapers. The majority are located in downtown Orlando and the rest are located in the tourist district southwest of downtown.[30] Skyscrapers built in downtown Orlando have not exceeded 441 ft (134 m), since 1988, when the SunTrust Center was completed.[citation needed] The main reason for this is the Orlando Executive Airport, just under 2 miles (3.2 km) from the city center, which does not allow buildings to exceed a certain height without approval from the FAA.[31]

Downtown Orlando edit

 
200 South Orange, formerly known as SunTrust Center, is the tallest skyscraper in the city
Main article: List of tallest buildings in Orlando

Outside downtown Orlando edit

Climate edit

 
Rainy season in the city

According to the Köppen climate classification, Orlando has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa/Cwa) like much of the deep Southern United States. The two basic seasons in Orlando are a hot and rainy season, lasting from May until late October (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season), and a warm and dry season from November through April.[33] The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation, its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer, and its location in the center of a peninsula. Many characteristics of its climate are a result of its proximity to the Gulf Stream, which flows around the peninsula of Florida.

During the height of Orlando's humid summer season, high temperatures are typically in the low 90s °F (32–34 °C), while low temperatures rarely fall below the low 70s °F (22–24 °C). The average window for 90 °F (32 °C) temperatures is April 9 to October 14. The area's humidity acts as a buffer, usually preventing actual temperatures from exceeding 100 °F (38 °C), but also pushing the heat index to over 110 °F (43 °C). The city's highest recorded temperature is 103 °F (39 °C), set on September 8, 1921. During these months, strong afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily. These storms are caused by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean colliding over Central Florida. They are highlighted by spectacular lightning and can also bring heavy rain (sometimes several inches per hour) and powerful winds as well as rare damaging hail.[34]

During the winter, humidity is much lower and temperatures are more moderate, and can fluctuate more readily. The monthly daily average temperature in January is 60.6 °F (15.9 °C). Temperatures dip below the freezing mark on an average of only 1.6 nights per year and the lowest recorded temperature is 18 °F (−8 °C), set on December 28, 1894. The annual mean minimum is just above 30 °F (−1 °C) putting Orlando in hardiness zone 10a. Because the winter season is dry and freezing temperatures usually occur only after cold fronts (and their accompanying precipitation) have passed, snow is exceptionally rare. The only accumulation ever to occur in the city proper since record keeping began was in 1948, although some accumulation occurred in surrounding areas in a snow event in January 1977 that reached Miami. Flurries have also been observed in 1989, 2006,[35] and 2010.[36]

The average annual rainfall in Orlando is 51.45 inches (1,307 mm), a majority of which occurs in the period from June to September. October through May are Orlando's dry season. During this period (especially in its later months), often a wildfire hazard exists. During some years, fires have been severe. In 1998, a strong El Niño caused an unusually wet January and February, followed by drought throughout the spring and early summer, causing a record wildfire season that created numerous air-quality alerts in Orlando and severely affected normal daily life, including the postponement of that year's Pepsi 400 NASCAR race in nearby Daytona Beach.[37]

Orlando is a major population center and has a considerable hurricane risk, although it is not as high as in South Florida's urban corridor or other coastal regions. Since the city is located 42 miles (68 km) inland from the Atlantic and 77 miles (124 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico,[a] hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. Storm surges are not a concern since the region is 100 feet (30 m) above mean sea level. Despite its location, the city does see strong hurricanes. During the notorious 2004 hurricane season, Orlando was hit by three hurricanes that caused significant damage, with Hurricane Charley the worst of these. The city also experienced widespread damage during Hurricane Donna in 1960.[38]

Tornadoes are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the humid summer. They are more common during the infrequent cold days of winter, as well as in passing hurricanes. The two worst major outbreaks in the area's history, a 1998 outbreak that killed 42 people and a 2007 outbreak that killed 21, both happened in February.

Climate data for Orlando (Orlando International Airport), Florida (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1892–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 88
(31) 		90
(32) 		97
(36) 		99
(37) 		102
(39) 		101
(38) 		101
(38) 		101
(38) 		103
(39) 		98
(37) 		93
(34) 		91
(33) 		103
(39)
Mean maximum °F (°C) 83.5
(28.6) 		85.5
(29.7) 		88.4
(31.3) 		91.1
(32.8) 		94.5
(34.7) 		96.1
(35.6) 		96.1
(35.6) 		95.4
(35.2) 		93.8
(34.3) 		91.0
(32.8) 		86.7
(30.4) 		83.7
(28.7) 		97.2
(36.2)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 71.8
(22.1) 		74.9
(23.8) 		78.9
(26.1) 		83.6
(28.7) 		88.4
(31.3) 		90.8
(32.7) 		92.0
(33.3) 		91.6
(33.1) 		89.6
(32.0) 		84.7
(29.3) 		78.3
(25.7) 		73.8
(23.2) 		83.2
(28.4)
Daily mean °F (°C) 60.6
(15.9) 		63.6
(17.6) 		67.3
(19.6) 		72.2
(22.3) 		77.3
(25.2) 		81.2
(27.3) 		82.6
(28.1) 		82.6
(28.1) 		81.0
(27.2) 		75.5
(24.2) 		68.2
(20.1) 		63.3
(17.4) 		73.0
(22.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 49.5
(9.7) 		52.4
(11.3) 		55.8
(13.2) 		60.7
(15.9) 		66.3
(19.1) 		71.6
(22.0) 		73.2
(22.9) 		73.7
(23.2) 		72.4
(22.4) 		66.2
(19.0) 		58.2
(14.6) 		52.9
(11.6) 		62.7
(17.1)
Mean minimum °F (°C) 33.2
(0.7) 		36.5
(2.5) 		41.3
(5.2) 		49.2
(9.6) 		58.2
(14.6) 		67.5
(19.7) 		70.5
(21.4) 		70.7
(21.5) 		67.8
(19.9) 		53.4
(11.9) 		44.4
(6.9) 		37.6
(3.1) 		31.3
(−0.4)
Record low °F (°C) 19
(−7) 		19
(−7) 		25
(−4) 		37
(3) 		47
(8) 		53
(12) 		64
(18) 		63
(17) 		50
(10) 		38
(3) 		28
(−2) 		18
(−8) 		18
(−8)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.48
(63) 		2.04
(52) 		3.03
(77) 		2.58
(66) 		4.02
(102) 		8.05
(204) 		7.46
(189) 		7.69
(195) 		6.37
(162) 		3.46
(88) 		1.79
(45) 		2.48
(63) 		51.45
(1,307)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 7.0 6.4 6.8 6.3 8.4 16.2 17.1 17.2 14.2 8.4 6.0 7.1 121.1
Source: NOAA[39][40]

Neighborhoods and suburbs edit

 
Single-family homes in the Thornton Park neighborhood, near Downtown
Main article: List of neighborhoods in Orlando, Florida

Demographics edit

Historical population
YearPop.±%
18902,856—    
19002,481−13.1%
19103,894+57.0%
19209,282+138.4%
193027,330+194.4%
194036,736+34.4%
195052,367+42.5%
196088,135+68.3%
197099,006+12.3%
1980128,251+29.5%
1990164,693+28.4%
2000185,951+12.9%
2010238,300+28.2%
2020307,573+29.1%
2022316,081+2.8%
Population 1890–2010[41][42]
2018 Estimate[43][44]
Source: U.S. Decennial Census[45]

2020 census edit

Orlando, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[46] Pop 2010[47] Pop 2020[48] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White (NH) 94,452 98,533 103,010 50.79% 41.35% 33.49%
Black or African American (NH) 48,547 63,584 70,183 26.11% 26.68% 22.81%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 485 483 446 0.26% 0.20% 0.15%
Asian (NH) 4,915 8,756 12,984 2.64% 3.67% 4.22%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) 127 130 177 0.07% 0.06% 0.06%
Some other race (NH) 634 1,688 3,908 0.34% 0.71% 1.27%
Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) 4,281 4,643 15,804 2.30% 1.95% 5.14%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 32,510 60,483 101,061 17.48% 25.38% 32.86%
Total 185,951 238,300 307,573 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 307,573 people, 113,238 households, and 61,667 families residing in the city.[49]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 238,300 people, 97,661 households, and 51,716 families residing in the city.[50]

 
Map of racial distribution in Orlando, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: ⬤ White ⬤ Black ⬤ Asian ⬤ Hispanic ⬤ Other

In 2014, the city's population was spread out, with 12.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 36.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.[51]

Orlando not only has the largest population of Puerto Ricans in Florida, but it is also home to the fastest-growing Puerto Rican community on the mainland US.[52] Between 1980 and 2010,[53] the overall Latino/Hispanic population in Orlando increased from 4.1 to 25.4%. In addition to Puerto Ricans, Cubans also have a large presence in the city.[54] Orlando also has a large and growing Brazilian population, and is a popular travel destination for many Brazilians. There are Brazilian restaurants and shops located on International Drive and, in addition to Spanish and English, Portuguese-language signs and information can be found throughout Orlando International Airport.

A large Caribbean population is also present in Orlando, with a significant West Indian community (particularly Bahamians, Dominicans, Jamaicans, Guyanese people—of both Indian and African descent—and Trinidadian and Tobagonian populations) and an established Haitian community.[citation needed] Orlando has a considerable Muslim population,[55][56] and an active Jewish community as well.[57][58]

Orlando has a large LGBT+ population and is recognized as one of the most accepting and tolerant cities in the Southeast. As of 2015, around 4.1% of Orlando's population identify as LGBT+,[59] making Orlando the city with the 20th-highest percentage of LGBT residents in the country.[60] The city is host to Gay Days every June (a Pride Month event at Walt Disney World),[61] holds a huge Pride festival and parade every October (since 2005), and is home to Florida's first openly gay City Commissioner, Patty Sheehan.[62]

According to the National Immigration Forum, the majority of Orlando's foreign-born population are from Latin America (64.1%): Mexico (35,357), Colombia (30,967), Haiti (29,464); Asia (17.3%): Philippines (13,267), India (12,610), Vietnam (11,407); Europe (12.4%): United Kingdom (14,395), Germany (8,358), Italy (3,302) and Africa (3.0%): Morocco (2,846), Egypt (1,306), South Africa (1,295).[63]

Languages edit

 
U.S. Census map

As of 2000, 75% of all residents speak English as their first language, while 16.60% speak Spanish, 1.9% speak Haitian Creole, 1.3% speak French, 0.99% speak Portuguese, and 0.5% of the population speak Arabic as their mother language. In total, 24% of the population 5 years and older speak a language other than English at home.[64]

According to the American Community Survey of 2006–2008, 69% of Orlando's residents over the age of five spoke only English at home. Spanish-speakers represented 19.2% of Orlando's population. Speakers of other Indo-European languages made up 9% of the city's population. Those who spoke an Asian language made up 1% of the population, and speakers of other languages made up the remaining 0.6% of the populace.[65]

Metropolitan statistical area edit

Main article: Greater Orlando

Orlando is the hub city of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, colloquially known as "Greater Orlando" or "Metro Orlando". The area encompasses four counties (Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole). As of 2020, the population of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was 2,673,376, making it the third largest in Florida and the 22nd-largest metro area in the United States.

When Combined Statistical Areas (CSA) were instituted in 2000, Orlando was initially joined with The Villages, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area, to form the "Orlando-The Villages, Florida, Combined Statistical Area". In 2006, the metropolitan areas of Deltona (Volusia County) and Palm Coast (Flagler County) were added to create the "Orlando-Deltona-Daytona Beach, Florida, Combined Statistical Area".[66] As of 2020, the CSA has been renamed the Orlando–Lakeland–Deltona, Florida Combined Statistical Area and had the 15th highest population in the US, with a total of 4,197,095 people.

Economy edit

See also: List of Florida companies and List of Orlando companies
 
The North/South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center

Industry edit

Orlando is a major industrial and hi-tech center. The metro area has a $13.4 billion technology industry employing 53,000 people;[citation needed] and is a nationally recognized cluster of innovation in digital media, agricultural technology, aviation, aerospace, and software design. More than 150 international companies, representing approximately 20 countries, have facilities in Metro Orlando.

Orlando has the 7th-largest research park in the country, Central Florida Research Park, with over 1,025 acres (4.15 km2). It is home to over 120 companies, employs more than 8,500 people, and is the hub of the nation's military simulation and training programs. Near the end of each year, the Orange County Convention Center hosts the world's largest modeling and simulation conference: Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC). Metro Orlando is home to the simulation procurement commands for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

Lockheed Martin has a large manufacturing facility for missile systems, aeronautical craft and related high-tech research. Other notable engineering firms have offices or labs in Metro Orlando: KDF, General Dynamics, Harris, Mitsubishi Power Systems, Siemens, Veritas/Symantec, multiple United States Air Force facilities, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Delta Connection Academy, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, General Electric, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation, U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, United States Army Simulation and Training Technology Center, AT&T, Boeing, CAE Systems Flight and Simulation Training, Hewlett-Packard, Institute for Simulation and Training, National Center for Simulation, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon. The Naval Training Center until a few years ago was one of the two places where nuclear engineers were trained for the United States Navy. Now the land has been converted into the Baldwin Park development. Numerous office complexes for large corporations have popped up along the Interstate 4 corridor north of Orlando, especially in Maitland, Lake Mary and Heathrow.

Orlando is close enough to Patrick Space Force Base, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and Kennedy Space Center for residents to commute to work from the city's suburbs. It also allows easy access to Port Canaveral, a cruise ship terminal.

Orlando is the home base of Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, and the largest operator of casual dining restaurants in the world by revenue. In September 2009 it moved to a new headquarters and central distribution facility.[67]

Former Darden Restaurants subsidiary Red Lobster is based in Downtown Orlando.

Film, television, and entertainment edit

Another important sector is the film, television, and electronic gaming industries, aided by the presence of Universal Studios, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Full Sail University, UCF College of Arts and Humanities, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, and other entertainment companies and schools. The U.S. modeling, simulation, and training (MS&T) industry is centered on the Orlando region as well, with a particularly strong presence in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to University of Central Florida (UCF). Nearby Maitland is the home of Tiburon, a division of the video game company Electronic Arts. Tiburon Entertainment was acquired by EA in 1998 after years of partnership, particularly in the Madden NFL series and NCAA Football series of video games. Nearby Full Sail University, located in Winter Park, draws new-media students in the areas of video game design, film, show production, and computer animation, among others, its graduates spawning several start-ups in these fields in the Orlando area. The headquarters of Ripley Entertainment Inc. are also located in Orlando.

Healthcare edit

 
Nemours Children's Hospital located in Lake Nona Medical City, a rapidly growing healthcare hub[68]

Orlando has two non-profit hospital systems: Orlando Health and AdventHealth. Orlando Health's Orlando Regional Medical Center is home to Central Florida's only Level I trauma center, and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and AdventHealth Orlando have the area's only Level III neonatal intensive care units. Orlando's medical leadership was further advanced with the completion of University of Central Florida's College of Medicine, a new VA Hospital and the new Nemours Children's Hospital, which is located in a new medical district in the Lake Nona area of the city.[69]

Housing and employment edit

Historically, the unemployment rate in Greater Orlando was low, which resulted in growth that led to urban sprawl in the surrounding area and, in combination with the United States housing bubble, to a large increase in home prices. Metro Orlando's unemployment rate in June 2010 was 11.1 percent, was 11.4 percent in April 2010, and was about 10 percent in about the same time of year in 2009.[70] As of August 2013, the area's jobless rate was 6.6 percent.[71] Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 37.08% in one year, from a median of $182,300 in November 2004 to $249,900 in November 2005, and eventually peaked at $264,436 in July 2007. From there, with the economic meltdown, prices plummeted, with the median falling below $200,000 in September 2008, at one point falling at an annual rate of 39.27%. The median dipped below $100,000 in 2010 before stabilizing around $110,000 in 2011. As of April 2012, the median home price is $116,000.[72]

Tourism edit

See also: List of amusement parks in Central Florida and List of Orlando, Florida attractions
 
Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

One of the main driving forces in Orlando's economy is its tourism industry and the city is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world. Nicknamed the 'Theme Park Capital of the World', the Orlando area is home to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland, and Fun Spot America Theme Parks. A record 75 million visitors came to the Orlando region in 2018, making it the top tourist destination in the United States.[73]

The Orlando area features 7 of the 10 most visited theme parks in North America (5 of the top 10 in the world), as well as the 4 most visited water parks in the U.S.[74] The Walt Disney World resort is the area's largest attraction with its many facets such as the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, and Disney Springs. Universal Orlando, like Walt Disney World, is a multi-faceted resort comprising Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal CityWalk. SeaWorld Orlando is a large park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters like Mako, Manta, and Kraken. The property also comprises more than one park, alongside Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove. Fun Spot Orlando and Kissimmee are more typical amusement parks with big thrills in a small space with roller coasters like White Lightning and Freedom Flyer in Orlando and Mine Blower and Rockstar Coaster in Kissimmee. Orlando is also home to I-Drive 360 on International Drive home to The Wheel at ICON Park, Madame Tussauds, and Sealife Aquarium. Orlando attractions also appeal to many locals who want to enjoy themselves close to home.

The convention industry is also critical to the region's economy. The Orange County Convention Center, expanded in 2004 to over two million square feet (190,000 m2) of exhibition space, is now the second-largest convention complex in terms of space in the United States, trailing only McCormick Place in Chicago. The city vies with Chicago and Las Vegas for hosting the most convention attendees in the United States.[75] Major events at the venue include the annual IAAPA theme park trade show and the large multigenre fan convention, MegaCon.

Golf edit

Numerous golf courses can be found in the city, with the most famous[76] being Bay Hill Club and Lodge, home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Culture edit

Film edit

In the mid-to-late 1990s, Orlando was known as "Hollywood East" because of numerous film production studios in the area, although such activity has slowed down considerably into the 2000s. Perhaps the most famous film-making moment in the city's history occurred with the implosion of Orlando's previous City Hall for the movie Lethal Weapon 3. The same year, Orlando native Wesley Snipes starred in the film Passenger 57, which was shot predominantly in his hometown. For the next decade, Orlando was production center for television shows, direct-to-video productions, and commercial production.[77] In 1997, Walt Disney Feature Animation operated a studio in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. The feature animation studio produced the films Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and the early stages of Brother Bear, but shutdown in 2004 due to the company's newfound focus on computer animation.[78] Universal Studios Florida's Soundstage 21 is home to TNA Wrestling's flagship show TNA Impact!. Nickelodeon Studios, which through the 1990s produced hundreds of hours of GAK-filled game shows targeted at children,[citation needed] no longer operates out of Universal Studios Florida. In the 2000s–2020s, entertainment related operations have predominantly consolidated the city's tourism-related businesses — namely events, concerts, hotels, and trade shows.[79]

The Florida Film Festival, which takes place in venues throughout the area, is one of the most respected regional film festivals in the country and attracts budding filmmakers from around the world. Orlando's indie film scene has been active since Haxan Film's The Blair Witch Project (1999) and a few years later with Charlize Theron winning her Academy Award for Monster (2003). A Florida state film incentive has also helped increase the number of films being produced in Orlando and the rest of the state.

Theater and performing arts edit

 
Dr. Phillips Center

The Orlando Metropolitan Area is home to a substantial theater population. Several professional and semi-professional houses and many community theaters include the Central Florida Ballet, Orlando Ballet, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Repertory Theatre, and IceHouse Theatre in Mount Dora. Orlando Theatre Project, closed in 2009. Additionally, both University of Central Florida and Rollins College (Winter Park) are home to theater departments that attract an influx of young artists to the area.

The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre had hosted national Broadway tours on a regular basis. This venue was built in 1926 and underwent a major renovation in 1974.[80] The Bob Carr has since closed due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to host a show since February 2020. While waiting on the completion of Phase II construction of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the newly designated Bob Carr Theater will continue to host non-Broadway events.[81]

The Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival, which draws touring companies from around the world, is hosted in various venues over Orlando's Loch Haven Park every spring. At the festival, there are also readings and fully staged productions of new and unknown plays by local artists.[82] Also in the spring, there is The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays, hosted by Orlando Shakespeare Theater.[83] Founded in 2002, the Orlando Cabaret Festival showcases local, national, and internationally renowned cabaret artist to Mad Cow Theatre in Downtown Orlando each spring.[84]

Classical Music and Music Theater are also represented. Orlando has two professional orchestras – the Orlando Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1991 when the Central Florida Friends of Music reorganized, and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1993, the second of which also serves as the orchestra for productions of Opera Orlando, which developed when the Florida Opera Theater, founded in 2009, reorganized in 2016.

Literary arts edit

 
Orange County Regional History Center

The indie literary presses Burrow Press and Autofocus are based in Orlando. There is also a large concentration of slam poets and poetry events in and around the metro area which has led to the city being dubbed Litlando. This name is fitting as legend goes that the city's name and Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando were taken from characters from the Shakespeare play "As You Like It" while Lake Ivanhoe was named after the namesake character from the 1820 book, Ivanhoe, by Walter Scott.

Music and local culture edit

Orlando is home to numerous recording studios and producers, and as a result, contributed heavily to the boyband craze of the mid-1990s. The groups Backstreet Boys, N Sync, and O-Town were each formed in Orlando prior to their mainstream commercial breakthroughs. The alternative rock groups Matchbox Twenty, Seven Mary Three, and Alter Bridge hail from Orlando, as well as the Christian hip hop act Group 1 Crew. Orlando also has a prominent metal scene, spawning bands such as Death and Trivium. There are also hip hop music, metal, rock music, reggaeton and Latino music scenes that have all been active within the city.

A substantial amount of the teenage and young adult populations identify as being goth, emo, or punk.[85][failed verification] Orlando experienced its own Second Summer of Love between 1991 and 1992 that popularized the subculture surrounding electronic dance music in Florida.[86][87] Over the years, the intensity of the music increased. In the late 1990s, Skrape, a metal band, was established, shortly followed by the screamo band From First to Last as well as the alternative metal band Fireflight.[citation needed] In the early 2000s, the heavy metal bands Trivium and Mindscar formed.[citation needed] In the later 2000s, more screamo bands, such as Blood on the Dance Floor, Sleeping with Sirens, and Broadway were established.[88][failed verification] The Vans Warped Tour, a concert containing metalcore/screamo/punk bands, takes place in Orlando annually.[89][failed verification]

Sprawling urban developments have led a number of hip hop artists from Orlando to garner mainstream recognition and sign with major labels, most notably Tyla Yaweh (signed to Epic Records), Hotboii (signed to Interscope Records) and 9lokkNine (signed to Cash Money Records). The highest charting song from an Orlando-based rapper is the 2019 single "223's by YNW Melly and 9lokkNine, which peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 (9lokkNine featured on as a guest artist on its official release).[90][91]

Gaming YouTuber Dream is based in Orlando. He has accumulated 40 million combined subscribers and signed a recording deal with Republic Records in 2023.[92]

Shopping malls edit

 
The Mall at Millenia

Lifestyle centers edit

In popular culture edit

The films Miami Connection, Ernest Saves Christmas, Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, Never Back Down, and The Florida Project take place in and were filmed entirely in Orlando. The novel Paper Towns takes place in the city, but the film adaptation was shot in North Carolina. Establishing shots were filmed around Orlando; notably in downtown and along Orange Blossom Trail. Geostorm has a scene where Orlando is destroyed by a lightning storm. However, those scenes were filmed in New Orleans. Parenthood was filmed entirely in Orlando, but takes place in St. Louis. D.A.R.Y.L. was partially filmed in Orlando; notably the climactic chase scene takes place in downtown Orlando along State Road 408 (East/West Expressway).[citation needed] Scenes were also filmed for Transformers: Dark of the Moon at the Orlando International Airport in early October 2010.[93] Orlando is also the city very prominently featured in the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. Though set in Louisiana, filming for Passenger 57 took place in Wesley Snipes' hometown of Orlando, Florida, with Orlando-Sanford International Airport standing in for "Lake Lucille" airport.[94] The airport's former combination main hangar and control tower from its time as Naval Air Station Sanford was used for many key scenes just prior to its demolition after filming.[95] Various scenes from Monster, set in Daytona Beach, were also filmed in the Orlando, Winter Park, Florida and Kissimmee areas.[96]

Sports edit

Main article: Sports in Orlando, Florida
 
The Kia Center

Orlando is the home city of two major league professional sports teams: the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Orlando has three minor league professional teams: the Orlando Solar Bears ECHL ice hockey team, the Orlando Predators of the National Arena League (NAL), and the Orlando Anarchy of the Women's Football Alliance.

The original Orlando Solar Bears were part of the International Hockey League winning the last Turner Cup championship in 2001, before the league folded. From 1991 to 2016, the city was also home to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League. Orlando was home to the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League in 1985. The team folded along with the league in 1986.[99]

In 2016, the Orlando Pride began to play in the National Women's Soccer League. Starting in 2017, they shared Inter&Co Stadium with Orlando City SC.

Orlando's sports teams have collectively won two Arena Bowls (1998, 2000), two titles in ice hockey, three titles in minor league baseball, and two titles in soccer.

The city has hosted the NBA All-Star Game twice: in 1992 at the old Orlando Arena, and in 2012 at the current Kia Center. Orlando also hosted the 2015 ECHL All-Star Game at Kia Center.

Orlando also hosts the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights college athletics teams, which compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Big 12 Conference (Big 12 Conference).

Camping World Stadium (the former Citrus Bowl stadium) hosts two annual college football bowl games: the Citrus Bowl and the Pop-Tarts Bowl. It also hosted the 1998 Major League Soccer All-Star Game. Orlando is the host city for the annual Florida Classic, one of the largest FCS football classics in the nation. It also began hosting the National Football League's Pro Bowl, as well as a series of FBS kickoff games called the Orlando Kickoff, in 2016.

Inter&Co Stadium, home of the Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride, also hosts one FBS college bowl game, The Cure Bowl, and hosted the 2019 MLS All-Star Game.

Orlando is home to many notable athletes former and present, including baseball players Carlos Peña, Frank Viola, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin; basketball players Shaquille O'Neal and Tracy McGrady; soccer players Alex Morgan, Marta, Nani and Kaká; and golfers, including Tiger Woods, Mark O'Meara and Arnold Palmer.[citation needed]

The annual Community Effort Orlando (CEO) is the second-biggest fighting game tournament of the country. Having grown since its introduction in 2010, the event got over 4,000 attendees from more than 25 countries in 2016.[100][101]

In 2020, the remaining games of the 2019–20 NBA season were arranged to be played in the NBA Bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Orlando suburb Bay Lake, Florida.[102]

Government and politics edit

 
The Orange County Courthouse complex comprises the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and the Orange County Court
Orlando
Crime rates* (2014)
Violent crimes
Homicide15
Rape167
Robbery620
Aggravated assault1,538
Total violent crime2,340
Property crimes
Burglary3,342
Larceny-theft12,182
Motor vehicle theft991
Arson55
Total property crime16,515
Notes

*Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population.

2014 population: 259,675

Source: 2014 FBI UCR Data

Municipal government edit

Orlando is governed via the mayor-council system the mayor is a strong-mayor.[103] The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The six members of the city council are each elected from districts.

Main article: List of mayors of Orlando, Florida

Mayor: Buddy Dyer (D)

City Council:

 
Current composition of Orlando City Council
District Name Party (officially nonpartisan)
1 Jim Gray Republican[104]
2 Tony Ortiz Republican[104]
3 Robert Stuart Democratic[104]
4 Patty Sheehan Democratic[104]
5 Regina Hill Democratic[104]
6 Bakari F. Burns Democratic[105]

Police brutality lawsuit settlements edit

In April 2015 it was reported that 56 year old June Walker Scott had filed a $4.5 million federal lawsuit against the City of Orlando and certain officers. According to the suit, the city has paid $3.3 million since 2012 to people who have accused officers of excessive force.[106]

Politics edit

From the mid-20th century to the early 21st century, Orlando was one of the most politically conservative cities in the United States, having voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election from 1948 to 2004. This streak was broken when Barack Obama won it in 2008, becoming the first Democrat to carry the city in a presidential election since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944. It has since become a Democratic stronghold in statewide and local elections.

Education edit

Public primary and secondary education is handled by Orange County Public Schools. Some of the private schools include Saint James Cathedral School (founded 1928), Orlando Lutheran Academy, Forest Lake Academy, The First Academy, Ibn Seena Academy, Trinity Preparatory School, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Bishop Moore High School and Orlando Christian Prep.

Area institutions of higher education edit

 
The University of Central Florida Library
 
Full Sail University

State universities edit

State colleges edit

Private universities, colleges, and others edit

Supplementary schools edit

The Orlando Hoshuko, a weekend supplementary school for Japanese children, is held at the Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando.[107]

Media edit

See also: List of newspapers in Florida, List of radio stations in Florida, and List of television stations in Florida

Television edit

Orlando is the center of the 19th-largest media market in the United States according to Nielsen Media Research as of the 2010–2011 TV season.[108] Three major network affiliates operate in the city: WKMG-TV 6 (CBS), WFTV 9 (ABC) and Fox O&O WOFL 35. WFTV and WOFL operate additional stations in Orlando, with WFTV operating independent station WRDQ 27 and WOFL operating MyNetworkTV O&O WRBW 65. The market's NBC affiliate, WESH 2, is licensed to Daytona Beach and also owns and operates CW affiliate WKCF 18, licensed to Clermont; both stations operate out of studios based in nearby Eatonville.

The city is also served by three public television stations: WUCF-TV 24, the market's PBS member station operated by the University of Central Florida, and two independent stations: Daytona State College's WDSC-TV 15 in New Smyrna Beach and Eastern Florida State College's WEFS 68 in Cocoa.

Four Spanish-language channels are licensed in Orlando, including UniMás O&O WOTF-DT 43 and Telemundo affiliate WTMO-CD 31. Univision affiliate WVEN-TV 43, which operates WOTF-DT under a LMA, is based in Daytona Beach. Several English-language stations also operate Spanish-language subchannels.

The city's cable system is run by Bright House Networks, which merged with Charter in May 2016, and is now called Spectrum. Spectrum operates News 13, a cable-exclusive regional 24/7 news channel which covers Central Florida news, including that of Orlando.

Orlando is also home to NBC Sports' Golf Channel cable television network. Facilities, including studios and administration, are located at 7580 Golf Channel Drive, just blocks from the I-Drive tourism corridor.

Radio edit

25 AM and 28 FM stations transmit to the Orlando area. Some of the country's biggest radio station owners have major presences in Orlando, including iHeartMedia, Cox Radio, and Audacy.

Newspapers edit

Orlando's primary newspaper, the Orlando Sentinel, is the second-largest newspaper in Florida by circulation. The Sentinel's Spanish language edition, El Sentinel, is the largest Spanish language newspaper in Florida.[109]

The city is also served by the following newspapers:

Transportation edit

Orlando uses the Lynx bus system as well as a downtown bus service called Lymmo. Orlando and other neighboring communities are also serviced by SunRail, a local commuter rail line that began service in 2014.

Airports edit

 
Orlando International Airport

Roads edit

Orlando, like other major cities, experiences gridlock and traffic jams daily, especially when commuting from the northern suburbs in Seminole County south to downtown and from the eastern suburbs of Orange County to Downtown. Heavy traffic is also common in the tourist district south of downtown. Rush hours (peak traffic hours) are usually weekday mornings (after 7 am) and afternoons (after 4 pm). There are various traffic advisory resources available for commuters including downloading the Tele-Traffic App (available for iPhone and Android), dialing 5-1-1 (a free automated traffic advisory system provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, available by dialing 511), visiting the Florida 511 Web site, listening to traffic reports on major radio stations, and reading electronic traffic advisory displays (also called Variable-message signs, information is also provided by FDOT) on the major highways and roadways.

Major highways edit

 
I-4 eastbound approaching Downtown Orlando
  •   Interstate 4 is Orlando's primary interstate highway. Orlando is the second-largest city served by only one interstate, surpassed only by Austin, Texas, and is the largest metropolitan area in the US serviced by a single interstate. The interstate begins in Tampa, Florida, and travels northeast across the midsection of the state directly through Orlando, ending in Daytona Beach. As a key connector to Orlando's suburbs, downtown, area attractions, and both coasts, I-4 commonly experiences heavy traffic and congestion. I-4 is also known as State Road 400.
  •   East-West Expressway (Toll 408) is a major east–west highway managed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority. The highway intersects with I-4 in Downtown Orlando, providing a key artery for residents commuting from eastern and western suburbs including the University of Central Florida and Waterford Lakes area. The highway also intersects with the Central Florida Greeneway (Toll 417) and Florida's Turnpike. By late 2006, the I-4/408 interchange had almost completed undergoing a major overhaul that creates multiple fly-over bridges and connectors to ease heavy traffic. The agency recently[when?] finished construction of lane expansions, new toll plazas, and sound barriers along the roadway, though much work remains to be done.
  •   Beachline Expressway (Toll 528) provides key access to the Orlando International Airport and serves as a gateway to the Atlantic coast, specifically Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
  •   Central Florida Greeneway (Toll 417) is a key highway for East Orlando, the highway is also managed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and serves as Orlando's eastern beltway. The highway intersects with the East-West Expressway (Toll 408), the Beachline Expressway (Toll 528), and begins and ends on Interstate 4.
  •   Daniel Webster Western Beltway (Toll 429) serves as Orlando's western beltway. It is managed jointly by the Florida Turnpike and the Central Florida Expressway Authority. The highway serves as a "back entrance" to Walt Disney World from Orlando's northwestern suburbs including Apopka via Florida's Turnpike.
  •   John Land Apopka Expressway (Toll 414) A new east to west tollway serving northern Orlando. Phase I opened on February 14, 2009, and extends from US 441 to State Road 429. Phase II opened on January 19, 2013, and links SR 429 to US 441 several miles west of the former SR 429 (now renamed State Road 451) intersection.
  •   Florida's Turnpike (Toll 91) is a major highway that connects northern Florida with Orlando and terminates in Miami.

Rail edit

The Orlando area is served by one through railroad. The line, now known as the Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC), was previously known as the "A" line (formerly the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's main line). The line was purchased from CSX Transportation by the State of Florida in 2013 and is now used by SunRail, the Central Florida commuter rail system. Some freight spurs still exist off of the line, which are operated by the Florida Central Railroad. Amtrak passenger service runs along CFRC. See also a map of these railroads.

 
Platform-side, Orlando Amtrak Station

Amtrak intercity passenger rail service operates from the Orlando Amtrak Station south of downtown. The Mission Revival-style station has been in continuous use since 1927,[110] first for the Atlantic Coast Line, then the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (signage for which is still displayed over the station's main entrance). Amtrak's Silver Meteor and Silver Star service Orlando four times daily, twice bound for points north to New York City and twice bound for points south to Miami. Orlando also serves as a transfer hub for Amtrak Thruway bus service. Orlando Station has the highest Amtrak ridership in the state, with the exception of the Auto Train depot located in nearby Sanford.[111]

Historically, Orlando's other major railroad stations have included:

Commuter rail edit

Main article: SunRail
 
A southbound SunRail train leaving Winter Park station

In 2005, federal and state funding was granted for the establishment of SunRail, a local commuter rail service, to operate on the former CSX "A" line tracks between DeLand and Poinciana, passing through the downtown area and surrounding urban neighborhoods along the way. The service is expected to substantially reduce traffic congestion along the I-4 corridor, especially between Downtown Orlando and the suburban communities in Seminole and Volusia Counties. Federal and state funds covered approximately 80% of the estimated $400 million cost for track modifications and construction of stations along the route. The counties involved approved local matching funds in 2007 and the line was originally projected to begin operations in 2011.[112] However, the project was ultimately voted down by Florida State Senate in 2008 and again in 2009 due to an amendment that would have approved a $200 million insurance policy for the system. Although there had been growing concern the system would be scrapped, a deadline extension combined with a new insurance arrangement with CSX brought new hope that SunRail will be completed after all.[113] In a special session in December 2009, the Florida Legislature approved commuter rail for Florida, which also enabled high-speed rail federal funding. SunRail began passenger service on May 1, 2014. Phase I of the rail system runs from DeBary to Sand Lake Road in South Orlando. Phase II, connects DeBary and continues north to DeLand, as well as extending from Sand Lake Road in Orlando south to Poinciana. Attempts to establish a smaller light rail service for the Orlando area were also considered at one time,[when?] but were also met with much resistance.

Inter-city rail edit

 
The Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal is the terminus for Brightline, an inter-city rail service between Orlando and Miami
Main article: Brightline

A privately funded initiative known as All Aboard Florida, which would provide inter-city rail service from Miami to Orlando, was announced in March 2012.[114] Now known as Brightline, the train currently runs from Downtown Miami to the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal. The Orlando extension includes 40 miles (64 km) of new railway track and top speeds reach 125 mph (201 km/h), becoming one of the fastest rail services in the United States.[115] Service to Orlando began on September 22, 2023.[116] Future plans are underway to add a station near Disney Springs.[117]

Bus edit

 
Lynx bus on the Route 102 line in Orlando

Lynx provides local transit service covering a five-county area: Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, and Volusia.[118][119] Lynx bus frequency varies depending on the route and time of day.

Greyhound Lines offers intercity bus service from Orlando to multiple locations across the country. The Orlando Greyhound Station is located west of Downtown Orlando.

Having a very well-developed tourism industry and millions of visitors per year the City of Orlando has multiple options for groups arriving and touring the city and surrounding areas by local charter bus companies.

Taxi edit

Orlando is served by a collection of independently owned taxi companies. In downtown Orlando, taxis can be hailed on a regular basis. Taxis are also available in and around the Amway Center, Orlando Convention Center, and all major attractions/theme parks. Orlando also has service from car-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, which offer service at all airports.

Airport shuttles edit

Transportation between the Orlando International Airport and various locations in and around Orlando is provided by airport shuttle services. Several shuttles operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

International relations edit

Sister cities edit

See also: List of sister cities in Florida

Orlando's sister cities are:[120]

Foreign consulates edit

Given Orlando's status as a busy international tourist destination and growing industrial and commercial base, there are several foreign consulates and honorary consulates in Orlando including (as of April 2023): Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Haiti, Iceland (Honorary), Italy (Honorary), Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Switzerland (Honorary).[121] In 1999, Orlando had the second-highest number of foreign consulates in Florida next to Miami.[122]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Distance measured from Orlando City Hall to nearest Atlantic coastline, near Oak Hill, Brevard County, and nearest Gulf coastline, near, Pine Island, Hernando County, using Google Earth's Ruler tool.

References edit

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  • The Economic Contribution of Conventions: The Case of Orlando, Florida

Bibliography edit

See also: Bibliography of the history of Orlando, Florida

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Orlando, Florida at Curlie

January 01, 1970
orlando, florida, orlando, redirects, here, other, uses, orlando, disambiguation, orlando, ɔːr, city, county, seat, orange, county, florida, united, states, part, central, florida, center, orlando, metropolitan, area, which, population, 2017, according, census. Orlando redirects here For other uses see Orlando disambiguation Orlando ɔːr ˈ l ae n d oʊ or LAN doh is a city in and the county seat of Orange County Florida United States Part of Central Florida it is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area which had a population of 2 509 831 in 2017 according to the U S Census Bureau It is the sixth largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States and the third largest metropolitan area in Florida behind Miami and Tampa Bay Orlando had a city population of 307 573 in the 2020 census making it the fourth most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville Miami and Tampa 4 It is the state s most populous inland city OrlandoCityDowntown Orlando skylineUniversal Studios FloridaCinderella Castle at Magic KingdomSeaWorld OrlandoChurch Street StationThe Wheel at ICON ParkKia CenterOrlando City HallOrange County CourthouseFlagSealNicknames The City Beautiful O Town Theme Park Capital of the WorldInteractive map of OrlandoOrlandoLocation within FloridaShow map of FloridaOrlandoLocation within the United StatesShow map of the United StatesCoordinates 28 32 24 N 81 22 48 W 28 54000 N 81 38000 W 28 54000 81 38000 1 CountryUnited StatesStateFloridaCountyOrangeSettled Jernigan 1843 181 years ago 1843 Incorporated Town of Orlando July 31 1875 148 years ago 1875 07 31 Incorporated City of Orlando February 4 1885 139 years ago 1885 02 04 Named forOrlando Reeves a soldier killed during the Seminole WarGovernment TypeStrong Mayor Council MayorBuddy Dyer D City CouncilMembers Jim Grey R Tony Ortiz R Robert Stuart D Patty Sheehan D Regina Hill D Bakari F Burns D Area 2 Total119 08 sq mi 308 41 km2 Land110 85 sq mi 287 10 km2 Water8 23 sq mi 21 31 km2 Urban644 61 sq mi 1 669 5 km2 Elevation 1 89 ft 27 m Population 2020 Total307 573 Rank67th U S Density2 774 65 sq mi 1 071 30 km2 Urban1 853 896 26th U S Urban density2 876 0 sq mi 1 110 4 km2 Metro2 691 925 23rd U S CSA4 222 422 15th U S DemonymOrlandoanGDP 3 Orlando MSA 194 5 billion 2022 Time zoneUTC 5 EST Summer DST UTC 4 EDT ZIP Code32801 32812 32814 32822 32824 32837 32839 32853 32862 32867 32869 32872 32877 32878 32885 32887 32891 32896 32897 32899Area codes407 689FIPS code12 53000GNIS feature ID2404443 1 Websitewww orlando gov Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the world primarily due to tourism major events and convention traffic It is the third most visited city in the U S after New York City and Miami with over 2 9 million visitors as of 2022 5 Orlando International Airport is the 13th busiest airport in the United States and the 29th busiest in the world 6 The two largest and most internationally renowned tourist attractions in the Orlando area are the Walt Disney World Resort opened by the Walt Disney Company in 1971 and located about 21 miles 34 km southwest of downtown Orlando in Bay Lake and the Universal Orlando Resort opened in 1990 as a major expansion of Universal Studios Florida and the only theme park inside Orlando city limits With the exception of the theme parks most major cultural sites like the Orlando Museum of Art and Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and world renowned nightlife bars and clubs are located in Downtown Orlando Other attractions like The Wheel at ICON Park are located along International Drive The city is also one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions Orange County Convention Center is the second largest convention facility in the United States Like other major cities in the Sun Belt Orlando grew rapidly from the 1960s into the first decade of the 21st century Orlando is home to the University of Central Florida which became the largest university campus in the United States in terms of enrollment as of 2015 needs update In 2010 Orlando was listed as a Gamma level global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network 7 Contents 1 Etymology 1 1 Orlando Reeves 1 2 Orlando As You Like It 2 History 2 1 Settlement 2 2 Post Industrial Revolution 2 3 Tourism in history 2 4 21st century 2 4 1 2016 mass shooting 3 Geography and cityscape 3 1 Skyscrapers 3 1 1 Downtown Orlando 3 1 2 Outside downtown Orlando 3 2 Climate 4 Neighborhoods and suburbs 5 Demographics 5 1 2020 census 5 2 Languages 5 3 Metropolitan statistical area 6 Economy 6 1 Industry 6 2 Film television and entertainment 6 3 Healthcare 6 4 Housing and employment 6 5 Tourism 6 5 1 Golf 7 Culture 7 1 Film 7 2 Theater and performing arts 7 3 Literary arts 7 4 Music and local culture 7 5 Shopping malls 7 5 1 Lifestyle centers 7 6 In popular culture 8 Sports 9 Government and politics 9 1 Municipal government 9 2 Police brutality lawsuit settlements 9 3 Politics 10 Education 10 1 Area institutions of higher education 10 1 1 State universities 10 1 2 State colleges 10 1 3 Private universities colleges and others 10 1 4 Supplementary schools 11 Media 11 1 Television 11 2 Radio 11 3 Newspapers 12 Transportation 12 1 Airports 12 2 Roads 12 2 1 Major highways 12 3 Rail 12 3 1 Commuter rail 12 3 2 Inter city rail 12 4 Bus 12 5 Taxi 12 6 Airport shuttles 13 International relations 13 1 Sister cities 13 2 Foreign consulates 14 See also 15 Notes 16 References 17 Bibliography 18 External linksEtymology editFort Gatlin as the Orlando area was once known was established at what is now just south of the city limits by the 4th U S Artillery under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Alexander C W Fanning on November 9 1838 during the construction of a series of fortified encampments across Florida during the Second Seminole War 8 The fort and surrounding area were named for John S Gatlin an Army physician who was killed in Dade s Massacre on December 28 1835 The site of construction for Fort Gatlin a defensible position with fresh water between three small lakes was likely chosen because the location was on a main trail and is less than 250 yards from a nearby Council Oak tree where Native Americans had traditionally met King Phillip and Coacoochee frequented this area and the tree was alleged to be the place where the previous 1835 ambush that had killed over 100 soldiers had been planned 9 When the U S military abandoned the fort in 1839 the surrounding community was built up by settlers 8 Prior to being known by its current name Orlando was once known as Jernigan This name originates from the first European permanent settlers Issac and Aaron Jernigan cattlemen who moved from the state of Georgia and acquired land 2 miles 3 2 km northwest of Fort Gatlin along the west end of Lake Holden in July 1843 by the terms of the Armed Occupation Act 10 11 Aaron Jernigan became Orange County s first state representative in 1845 but his pleas for additional military protection went unanswered 12 Fort Gatlin was briefly reoccupied by the military for a few weeks during October and November 1849 and subsequently a volunteer militia was left to defend the settlement 11 A historical marker indicates that by 1850 the Jernigan homestead or Fort Gatlin in some sources 13 served as the nucleus of a village named Jernigan 14 According to an account written years later by his daughter at that time about 80 settlers were forced to shelter for about a year in a stockade that Aaron Jernigan built on the north side of Lake Conway One of the county s first records a grand jury s report mentions a stockade where it states homesteaders were driven from their homes and forced to huddle together in hasty defences sic Aaron Jernigan led a local volunteer militia during 1852 11 A post office opened at Jernigan in 1850 Jernigan appears on an 1855 map of Florida and by 1856 the area had become the county seat of Orange County 15 8 In 1857 the post office was removed from Jernigan and opened under the name of Orlando at a new location in present day downtown Orlando 11 During the American Civil War the post office closed but reopened in 1866 The move is believed to be sparked in part by Aaron Jernigan s fall from grace after he was relieved of his militia command by military officials in 1856 His behavior was so notorious that United States Secretary of War Jefferson Davis wrote It is said they Jernigan s militia are more dreadful than the Indians 16 In 1859 Jernigan and his sons were accused of committing a murder at the town s post office They were then transported to Ocala but escaped 14 At a meeting in 1857 debate had grown concerning the name of the town Pioneer William B Hull recalled how James Speer a local resident and prominent figure in the stories behind the naming of Orlando rose in the heat of the argument and said This place is often spoken of as Orlando s Grave Let s drop the word grave and let the county seat be Orlando 13 16 The origin of the name is unknown but at least five stories relate how Orlando got its name The most common stories are that the name Orlando originated from the tale of a man who died in 1835 during an attack by Native Americans in the area during the Second Seminole War Several of the stories relay an oral history of the marker for a person named Orlando and the double entendre Here lies Orlando One variant includes a man named Orlando who was passing by on his way to Tampa with a herd of oxen died and was buried in a marked grave 17 Through a retelling of history a marker of some sort was believed to have been found by one of the original pioneers but Speer s family has since claimed that Speer simply used the Orlando Reeves legend to help push his plan for naming the settlement after the Shakespearean character from As You Like It his favorite play 13 This has become the most common accepted version of how Orlando got its name Orlando Reeves edit Historians agree that likely no soldier was named Orlando Reeves 18 Folklore is that Reeves was acting as a sentinel for a company of soldiers that had set up camp for the night on the banks of Sandy Beach Lake 19 Several different lakes are mentioned in the various versions as no soldiers were in what is now downtown during 1835 20 The legend grew throughout the early 1900s particularly with local historian Olive Brumbaugh or Kena Fries 19 verification needed retelling in various writings and on local radio station WDBO in 1929 13 Another historian Eldon H Gore promoted the Reeves legend in History of Orlando published in 1949 13 A memorial beside Lake Eola originally placed by students of Orlando s Cherokee Junior School in 1939 and updated in 1990 designates the spot where the city s supposed namesake fell 18 19 Conflicting legends exist One legend has Reeves killed during an extended battle with the Seminoles after being field promoted after his platoon commander fell 13 An in depth review of military records in the 1970s and 1980s though turned up no record of Orlando Reeves ever existing 13 18 19 Some versions attempt to account for Reeves having no military records by using the name of other people named Orlando that exist in some written records Orlando Acosta however not much is known about Acosta or whether he even existed Another version of the story has Orlando Reed supposedly an Englishman and mail carrier between Fort Gatlin and Fort Mellon allegedly killed while camping with his friends near Fort Gatlin 13 A second variation also places the story in 1835 during the Second Seminole War This name is taken from a South Carolinian cattle rancher named Orlando Savage Rees Rees owned a Volusia County sugar mill and plantation as well as several large estates in Florida and Mississippi 13 Rees sugar farms in the area were burned out in the Seminole attacks of 1835 the year Orlando Reeves supposedly died Subsequently Rees led an expedition to recover stolen slaves and cattle In 1837 Rees also attempted to stop a peace treaty with the Seminoles because it did not reimburse him for the loss of slaves and crops 16 Rees could have left a pine bough marker with his name next to the trail later residents misread Rees as Reeves and also mistook it as a grave maker 16 In subsequent years this story has merged with the Orlando Reeves story which may have originally incorporated part of Dr Gatlin s story 13 On two separate occasions relatives of Rees claimed their ancestor was the namesake of the city F K Bull of South Carolina Rees great grandson told an Orlando reporter of a story in 1955 years later Charles M Bull Jr of Orlando Rees great great grandson offered local historians similar information 16 Unlike Orlando Reeves who cannot be traced to any historical record the record is considerable that Orlando Rees did exist and was in Florida during that time For example in 1832 John James Audubon met with Rees in his large estate at Spring Garden about 45 minutes from Orlando 16 Orlando As You Like It edit nbsp Lake Lucerne c 1905 The final variation has the city named after the protagonist in the Shakespeare play As You Like It 13 In 1975 Judge Donald A Cheney put forth a new version of the story in an Orlando Sentinel article 16 Cheney a local historian and then chairman of the county historical commission 21 recounted a story told to him by his father Judge John Moses Cheney a major figure in Orlando s history who arrived in Orlando in 1885 The elder Cheney recounted that another gentleman at that time James Speer proposed the name Orlando after the character in As You Like It 13 According to Cheney Speer was a gentleman of culture and an admirer of William Shakespeare 16 Quoting a letter that Speer wrote Orlando was a veritable Forest of Arden the locale of As You Like It 22 Speer s descendants have also confirmed this version of the naming and the legend has continued to grow 16 This account also has some validity in that as mentioned above Speer was instrumental in changing the name of the settlement from Jernigan to Orlando though he may have used the Orlando Reeves legend in lieu of his true intent to use the Shakespearean character According to yet another version of the story Orlando may have been the name of one of his employees 13 17 One of downtown Orlando s major streets is named Rosalind Avenue Rosalind is the heroine of As You Like It but this could also be a coincidence History editSee also Timeline of Orlando Florida Settlement edit In 1823 the Treaty of Moultrie Creek created a Seminole reservation encompassing much of central Florida including the area that would become Orlando The Indian Removal Act of 1830 authorized relocation of the Seminole from Florida to Oklahoma leading to the Second Seminole War In 1842 white settlement in the area was encouraged by the Armed Occupation Act The first settler Mr Aaron Jernigan of Camden County Georgia arrived the following year and settled near Lake Holden nbsp Mizell Leu House built 1888 a fine example of Florida Vernacular Style Architecture The home is located in the Mizell Leu House Historic District Mosquito County was renamed Orange County in 1845 with the county seat shortly thereafter relocated to Mellonville a few miles west of Sanford By 1856 settlement had begun in earnest in the interior of the county and a more centrally located Courthouse was sought The new town of Orlando laid out in 1857 8 consisted of four streets surrounding a courthouse square The fledgling village suffered greatly during the Union blockade The Reconstruction Era brought on a population explosion resulting in the incorporation of the Town of Orlando on July 31 1875 with 85 residents 22 voters For a short time in 1879 the town revoked its charter and was subsequently reincorporated 23 Orlando was established as a city in 1885 24 The period from 1875 to 1895 is remembered as Orlando s Golden Era when it became the hub of Florida s citrus industry The period ended with the Great Freeze of 1894 95 which forced many owners to give up their independent citrus groves thus consolidating holdings in the hands of a few citrus barons who shifted operations south primarily around Lake Wales in Polk County 17 The freeze caused many in Florida including many Orlandoans to move elsewhere mostly to the North California or the Caribbean nbsp The Wyoming Hotel c 1905 Notable homesteaders in the area included the Curry family Through their property in east Orlando flowed the Econlockhatchee River which travelers crossed by fording This was commemorated by the street s name Curry Ford Road Also just south of the Orlando International Airport in the Boggy Creek area are 150 acres 0 61 km2 of property homesteaded in the late 19th century by the Ward family This property is still owned by the Ward family and can be seen from southbound flights out of Orlando International Airport immediately on the south side of SR 417 Post Industrial Revolution edit Orlando became a popular resort during the years between the Spanish American War and World War I In the 1920s Orlando experienced extensive housing development during the Florida Land Boom causing land prices to soar During this period dozens of neighborhoods in the vicinity of downtown were constructed The boom ended when several hurricanes hit Florida in the late 1920s along with the Great Depression During World War II a number of Army personnel were stationed at the Orlando Army Air Base and nearby Pinecastle Army Air Field Some of these servicemen stayed in Orlando to settle and raise families In 1956 the aerospace and defense company Martin Marietta now Lockheed Martin established a plant in the city Orlando AAB and Pinecastle AAF were transferred to the United States Air Force in 1947 when it became a separate service and were redesignated as air force bases AFB In 1958 Pinecastle AFB was renamed McCoy Air Force Base after Colonel Michael N W McCoy a former commander of the 320th Bombardment Wing at the installation killed in the crash of a B 47 Stratojet bomber north of Orlando In the 1960s the base subsequently became home to the 306th Bombardment Wing of the Strategic Air Command operating B 52 Stratofortress and KC 135 Stratotanker aircraft in addition to detachment operations by EC 121 and U 2 aircraft In 1968 Orlando AFB was transferred to the United States Navy and became Naval Training Center Orlando In addition to boot camp facilities the NTC Orlando was home of one of two Navy Nuclear Power Schools and home of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division When McCoy AFB closed in 1976 its runways and territory to its south and east were imparted to the city to become Orlando International Airport while a small portion to the northwest was transferred to the Navy as McCoy NTC Annex That closed in 1995 and became a housing though the former McCoy AFB still hosts a Navy Exchange as well as national guard and reserve units for several branches of service NTC Orlando was completely closed by the end of 1999 by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and converted into the Baldwin Park neighborhood The Naval Air Warfare Center had moved to Central Florida Research Park near UCF in 1989 nbsp Lucerne Circle c 1905 nbsp Lake Eola in 1911 Tourism in history edit Perhaps the most critical event for Orlando s economy occurred in 1965 when Walt Disney announced plans to build Walt Disney World Although Disney had considered the regions of Miami and Tampa for his park one of the major reasons behind his decision not to locate there was due to hurricanes Orlando s inland location although not free from hurricane damage exposed it to less threat than coastal regions The vacation resort opened in October 1971 ushering in an explosive population and economic growth for the Orlando metropolitan area which now encompasses Orange Seminole Osceola and Lake Counties As a result tourism became the centerpiece of the area s economy Orlando now has more theme parks and entertainment attractions than anywhere else in the world 25 Another major factor in Orlando s growth occurred in 1962 when the new Orlando Jetport the precursor of the present day Orlando International Airport was built from a portion of the McCoy Air Force Base By 1970 four major airlines Delta Air Lines National Airlines Eastern Airlines and Southern Airways were providing scheduled flights McCoy Air Force Base officially closed in 1975 and most of it is now part of the airport The airport still retains the former Air Force Base airport code MCO 21st century edit nbsp View of downtown Orlando center and periphery to Lake Apopka upper right January 2011 Today the historic core of Old Orlando resides in downtown Orlando along Church Street between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue The urban development and the central business district of downtown have rapidly shaped the downtown skyline during recent history The present day historic district is primarily associated with the neighborhoods around Lake Eola but stretches west across the city to Lake Lorna Dune and north into the College Park Neighborhood where you can find century old oaks line brick streets These neighborhoods include the Downtown Business District North Quarter Parramore Callahan South Eola Heights Lake Eola Heights Thornton Park and College Park and contain some of the oldest homes in Orlando 2016 mass shooting edit Main article Orlando nightclub shooting On June 12 2016 more than 100 people were shot at Pulse a gay nightclub in Orlando Fifty including the gunman were killed and 60 were wounded The gunman whom the police SWAT team shot to death was identified as 29 year old Omar Mir Seddique Mateen an American security guard The act of terrorism was both the deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history at the time and one of the deadliest mass shootings perpetrated by a single person in recorded world history Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State during his unsuccessful negotiations with police 26 After the shooting the city held numerous vigils In November 2016 Orlando mayor Buddy Dyer announced the city s intention to acquire the Pulse Nightclub to build a permanent memorial for the 49 victims of the shooting The city offered to buy it for 2 25 million but the club s owner declined to sell 27 Geography and cityscape editThe geography of Orlando is mostly wetlands consisting of many lakes and swamps The terrain is generally flat making the land fairly low and wet 28 The area is dotted with hundreds of lakes the largest of which is Lake Apopka Central Florida s bedrock is mostly limestone and very porous the Orlando area is susceptible to sinkholes Probably the most famous incident involving a sinkhole happened in 1981 in Winter Park a city immediately north of downtown Orlando dubbed The Winter Park Sinkhole See also List of neighborhoods in Orlando Florida There are 115 neighborhoods within the city limits and many unincorporated communities Orlando s city limits resemble a checkerboard with pockets of unincorporated Orange County surrounded by city limits Such an arrangement results in some areas being served by both Orange County and the City of Orlando This also explains Orlando s relatively low city population when compared to its metropolitan population The city and county are working together in an effort to round out the city limits with Orlando annexing portions of land already bordering the city limits 29 failed verification Skyscrapers edit nbsp Lake Eola with the backdrop of Orlando s skyline Metro Orlando has a total of 19 completed skyscrapers The majority are located in downtown Orlando and the rest are located in the tourist district southwest of downtown 30 Skyscrapers built in downtown Orlando have not exceeded 441 ft 134 m since 1988 when the SunTrust Center was completed citation needed The main reason for this is the Orlando Executive Airport just under 2 miles 3 2 km from the city center which does not allow buildings to exceed a certain height without approval from the FAA 31 Downtown Orlando edit nbsp 200 South Orange formerly known as SunTrust Center is the tallest skyscraper in the city Main article List of tallest buildings in Orlando 200 South Orange 1988 441 ft 134 m formerly SunTrust Center it s the tallest skyscraper in Greater Orlando 32 The Vue at Lake Eola 2008 426 ft 130 m Orange County Courthouse 1997 416 ft 127 m Bank of America Center 1988 409 ft 125 m 55 West on the Esplanade 2009 377 ft 115 m Solaire at the Plaza 2006 359 ft 109 m Church Street Plaza Tower 1 2019 315 ft 96 m Dynetech Center 2009 357 ft 109 m Regions Bank Tower 1986 292 ft 89 m Premiere Trade Plaza Office Tower II 2006 277 ft 84 m Citrus Center 1971 281 ft 86 m Citi Tower 2017 275 ft 84 m SkyHouse Orlando 2013 262 ft 80 m Modera Central 2018 260 ft 79 m The Waverly on Lake Eola 2001 280 ft 85 m Outside downtown Orlando edit Hyatt Regency Orlando 2010 428 ft 130 m SeaWorld SkyTower 400 ft 122 m The Wheel at ICON Park 2015 400 ft 122 m Orlando International Airport s ATC tower 2002 346 ft 105 m StarFlyer Orlando on International Drive 2018 450 ft 137 m Climate edit nbsp Rainy season in the city According to the Koppen climate classification Orlando has a humid subtropical climate Cfa Cwa like much of the deep Southern United States The two basic seasons in Orlando are a hot and rainy season lasting from May until late October roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season and a warm and dry season from November through April 33 The area s warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer and its location in the center of a peninsula Many characteristics of its climate are a result of its proximity to the Gulf Stream which flows around the peninsula of Florida During the height of Orlando s humid summer season high temperatures are typically in the low 90s F 32 34 C while low temperatures rarely fall below the low 70s F 22 24 C The average window for 90 F 32 C temperatures is April 9 to October 14 The area s humidity acts as a buffer usually preventing actual temperatures from exceeding 100 F 38 C but also pushing the heat index to over 110 F 43 C The city s highest recorded temperature is 103 F 39 C set on September 8 1921 During these months strong afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily These storms are caused by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean colliding over Central Florida They are highlighted by spectacular lightning and can also bring heavy rain sometimes several inches per hour and powerful winds as well as rare damaging hail 34 During the winter humidity is much lower and temperatures are more moderate and can fluctuate more readily The monthly daily average temperature in January is 60 6 F 15 9 C Temperatures dip below the freezing mark on an average of only 1 6 nights per year and the lowest recorded temperature is 18 F 8 C set on December 28 1894 The annual mean minimum is just above 30 F 1 C putting Orlando in hardiness zone 10a Because the winter season is dry and freezing temperatures usually occur only after cold fronts and their accompanying precipitation have passed snow is exceptionally rare The only accumulation ever to occur in the city proper since record keeping began was in 1948 although some accumulation occurred in surrounding areas in a snow event in January 1977 that reached Miami Flurries have also been observed in 1989 2006 35 and 2010 36 The average annual rainfall in Orlando is 51 45 inches 1 307 mm a majority of which occurs in the period from June to September October through May are Orlando s dry season During this period especially in its later months often a wildfire hazard exists During some years fires have been severe In 1998 a strong El Nino caused an unusually wet January and February followed by drought throughout the spring and early summer causing a record wildfire season that created numerous air quality alerts in Orlando and severely affected normal daily life including the postponement of that year s Pepsi 400 NASCAR race in nearby Daytona Beach 37 Orlando is a major population center and has a considerable hurricane risk although it is not as high as in South Florida s urban corridor or other coastal regions Since the city is located 42 miles 68 km inland from the Atlantic and 77 miles 124 km inland from the Gulf of Mexico a hurricanes usually weaken before arriving Storm surges are not a concern since the region is 100 feet 30 m above mean sea level Despite its location the city does see strong hurricanes During the notorious 2004 hurricane season Orlando was hit by three hurricanes that caused significant damage with Hurricane Charley the worst of these The city also experienced widespread damage during Hurricane Donna in 1960 38 Tornadoes are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the humid summer They are more common during the infrequent cold days of winter as well as in passing hurricanes The two worst major outbreaks in the area s history a 1998 outbreak that killed 42 people and a 2007 outbreak that killed 21 both happened in February Climate data for Orlando Orlando International Airport Florida 1991 2020 normals extremes 1892 present Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high F C 88 31 90 32 97 36 99 37 102 39 101 38 101 38 101 38 103 39 98 37 93 34 91 33 103 39 Mean maximum F C 83 5 28 6 85 5 29 7 88 4 31 3 91 1 32 8 94 5 34 7 96 1 35 6 96 1 35 6 95 4 35 2 93 8 34 3 91 0 32 8 86 7 30 4 83 7 28 7 97 2 36 2 Mean daily maximum F C 71 8 22 1 74 9 23 8 78 9 26 1 83 6 28 7 88 4 31 3 90 8 32 7 92 0 33 3 91 6 33 1 89 6 32 0 84 7 29 3 78 3 25 7 73 8 23 2 83 2 28 4 Daily mean F C 60 6 15 9 63 6 17 6 67 3 19 6 72 2 22 3 77 3 25 2 81 2 27 3 82 6 28 1 82 6 28 1 81 0 27 2 75 5 24 2 68 2 20 1 63 3 17 4 73 0 22 7 Mean daily minimum F C 49 5 9 7 52 4 11 3 55 8 13 2 60 7 15 9 66 3 19 1 71 6 22 0 73 2 22 9 73 7 23 2 72 4 22 4 66 2 19 0 58 2 14 6 52 9 11 6 62 7 17 1 Mean minimum F C 33 2 0 7 36 5 2 5 41 3 5 2 49 2 9 6 58 2 14 6 67 5 19 7 70 5 21 4 70 7 21 5 67 8 19 9 53 4 11 9 44 4 6 9 37 6 3 1 31 3 0 4 Record low F C 19 7 19 7 25 4 37 3 47 8 53 12 64 18 63 17 50 10 38 3 28 2 18 8 18 8 Average precipitation inches mm 2 48 63 2 04 52 3 03 77 2 58 66 4 02 102 8 05 204 7 46 189 7 69 195 6 37 162 3 46 88 1 79 45 2 48 63 51 45 1 307 Average precipitation days 0 01 in 7 0 6 4 6 8 6 3 8 4 16 2 17 1 17 2 14 2 8 4 6 0 7 1 121 1 Source NOAA 39 40 Neighborhoods and suburbs edit nbsp Single family homes in the Thornton Park neighborhood near Downtown Main article List of neighborhoods in Orlando Florida Downtown Orlando Winter Park Florida Celebration Florida Pine Hills Florida Windermere Florida Dr Phillips Florida Hunter s Creek Florida Lake Nona Parramore Williamsburg Florida Lake Buena Vista Florida Bay Lake Florida Winter Garden Florida Four Corners Florida Altamonte Springs Florida Meadow Woods Florida Debary Florida MetroWest College Park Baldwin Park Wedgefield AvalonDemographics editHistorical populationYearPop 18902 856 19002 481 13 1 19103 894 57 0 19209 282 138 4 193027 330 194 4 194036 736 34 4 195052 367 42 5 196088 135 68 3 197099 006 12 3 1980128 251 29 5 1990164 693 28 4 2000185 951 12 9 2010238 300 28 2 2020307 573 29 1 2022316 081 2 8 Population 1890 2010 41 42 2018 Estimate 43 44 Source U S Decennial Census 45 2020 census edit Orlando Florida Racial and ethnic compositionNote the US Census treats Hispanic Latino as an ethnic category This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category Hispanics Latinos may be of any race Race Ethnicity NH Non Hispanic Pop 2000 46 Pop 2010 47 Pop 2020 48 2000 2010 2020 White NH 94 452 98 533 103 010 50 79 41 35 33 49 Black or African American NH 48 547 63 584 70 183 26 11 26 68 22 81 Native American or Alaska Native NH 485 483 446 0 26 0 20 0 15 Asian NH 4 915 8 756 12 984 2 64 3 67 4 22 Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian NH 127 130 177 0 07 0 06 0 06 Some other race NH 634 1 688 3 908 0 34 0 71 1 27 Two or more races Multiracial NH 4 281 4 643 15 804 2 30 1 95 5 14 Hispanic or Latino any race 32 510 60 483 101 061 17 48 25 38 32 86 Total 185 951 238 300 307 573 100 00 100 00 100 00 As of the 2020 United States census there were 307 573 people 113 238 households and 61 667 families residing in the city 49 As of the 2010 United States census there were 238 300 people 97 661 households and 51 716 families residing in the city 50 nbsp Map of racial distribution in Orlando 2010 U S Census Each dot is 25 people White Black Asian Hispanic Other In 2014 the city s population was spread out with 12 0 under the age of 18 5 7 from 18 to 24 27 3 from 25 to 44 18 6 from 45 to 64 and 36 3 who were 65 years of age or older The median age was 33 years For every 100 females there were 95 3 males For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91 3 males 51 Orlando not only has the largest population of Puerto Ricans in Florida but it is also home to the fastest growing Puerto Rican community on the mainland US 52 Between 1980 and 2010 53 the overall Latino Hispanic population in Orlando increased from 4 1 to 25 4 In addition to Puerto Ricans Cubans also have a large presence in the city 54 Orlando also has a large and growing Brazilian population and is a popular travel destination for many Brazilians There are Brazilian restaurants and shops located on International Drive and in addition to Spanish and English Portuguese language signs and information can be found throughout Orlando International Airport A large Caribbean population is also present in Orlando with a significant West Indian community particularly Bahamians Dominicans Jamaicans Guyanese people of both Indian and African descent and Trinidadian and Tobagonian populations and an established Haitian community citation needed Orlando has a considerable Muslim population 55 56 and an active Jewish community as well 57 58 Orlando has a large LGBT population and is recognized as one of the most accepting and tolerant cities in the Southeast As of 2015 update around 4 1 of Orlando s population identify as LGBT 59 making Orlando the city with the 20th highest percentage of LGBT residents in the country 60 The city is host to Gay Days every June a Pride Month event at Walt Disney World 61 holds a huge Pride festival and parade every October since 2005 and is home to Florida s first openly gay City Commissioner Patty Sheehan 62 According to the National Immigration Forum the majority of Orlando s foreign born population are from Latin America 64 1 Mexico 35 357 Colombia 30 967 Haiti 29 464 Asia 17 3 Philippines 13 267 India 12 610 Vietnam 11 407 Europe 12 4 United Kingdom 14 395 Germany 8 358 Italy 3 302 and Africa 3 0 Morocco 2 846 Egypt 1 306 South Africa 1 295 63 Languages edit nbsp U S Census map As of 2000 75 of all residents speak English as their first language while 16 60 speak Spanish 1 9 speak Haitian Creole 1 3 speak French 0 99 speak Portuguese and 0 5 of the population speak Arabic as their mother language In total 24 of the population 5 years and older speak a language other than English at home 64 According to the American Community Survey of 2006 2008 69 of Orlando s residents over the age of five spoke only English at home Spanish speakers represented 19 2 of Orlando s population Speakers of other Indo European languages made up 9 of the city s population Those who spoke an Asian language made up 1 of the population and speakers of other languages made up the remaining 0 6 of the populace 65 Metropolitan statistical area edit Main article Greater Orlando Orlando is the hub city of the Orlando Kissimmee Sanford Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area colloquially known as Greater Orlando or Metro Orlando The area encompasses four counties Lake Orange Osceola and Seminole As of 2020 the population of the metropolitan statistical area MSA was 2 673 376 making it the third largest in Florida and the 22nd largest metro area in the United States When Combined Statistical Areas CSA were instituted in 2000 Orlando was initially joined with The Villages Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area to form the Orlando The Villages Florida Combined Statistical Area In 2006 the metropolitan areas of Deltona Volusia County and Palm Coast Flagler County were added to create the Orlando Deltona Daytona Beach Florida Combined Statistical Area 66 As of 2020 the CSA has been renamed the Orlando Lakeland Deltona Florida Combined Statistical Area and had the 15th highest population in the US with a total of 4 197 095 people Economy editSee also List of Florida companies and List of Orlando companies nbsp The North South Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center Industry edit Orlando is a major industrial and hi tech center The metro area has a 13 4 billion technology industry employing 53 000 people citation needed and is a nationally recognized cluster of innovation in digital media agricultural technology aviation aerospace and software design More than 150 international companies representing approximately 20 countries have facilities in Metro Orlando Orlando has the 7th largest research park in the country Central Florida Research Park with over 1 025 acres 4 15 km2 It is home to over 120 companies employs more than 8 500 people and is the hub of the nation s military simulation and training programs Near the end of each year the Orange County Convention Center hosts the world s largest modeling and simulation conference Interservice Industry Training Simulation and Education Conference I ITSEC Metro Orlando is home to the simulation procurement commands for the U S Army Navy Air Force Marines and Coast Guard Lockheed Martin has a large manufacturing facility for missile systems aeronautical craft and related high tech research Other notable engineering firms have offices or labs in Metro Orlando KDF General Dynamics Harris Mitsubishi Power Systems Siemens Veritas Symantec multiple United States Air Force facilities Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division Delta Connection Academy Embry Riddle Aeronautical University General Electric Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation U S Army Program Executive Office for Simulation Training and Instrumentation PEO STRI United States Army Research Development and Engineering Command United States Army Simulation and Training Technology Center AT amp T Boeing CAE Systems Flight and Simulation Training Hewlett Packard Institute for Simulation and Training National Center for Simulation Northrop Grumman and Raytheon The Naval Training Center until a few years ago was one of the two places where nuclear engineers were trained for the United States Navy Now the land has been converted into the Baldwin Park development Numerous office complexes for large corporations have popped up along the Interstate 4 corridor north of Orlando especially in Maitland Lake Mary and Heathrow Orlando is close enough to Patrick Space Force Base Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center for residents to commute to work from the city s suburbs It also allows easy access to Port Canaveral a cruise ship terminal Orlando is the home base of Darden Restaurants the parent company of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse and the largest operator of casual dining restaurants in the world by revenue In September 2009 it moved to a new headquarters and central distribution facility 67 Former Darden Restaurants subsidiary Red Lobster is based in Downtown Orlando Film television and entertainment edit Another important sector is the film television and electronic gaming industries aided by the presence of Universal Studios Disney s Hollywood Studios Full Sail University UCF College of Arts and Humanities the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy and other entertainment companies and schools The U S modeling simulation and training MS amp T industry is centered on the Orlando region as well with a particularly strong presence in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to University of Central Florida UCF Nearby Maitland is the home of Tiburon a division of the video game company Electronic Arts Tiburon Entertainment was acquired by EA in 1998 after years of partnership particularly in the Madden NFL series and NCAA Football series of video games Nearby Full Sail University located in Winter Park draws new media students in the areas of video game design film show production and computer animation among others its graduates spawning several start ups in these fields in the Orlando area The headquarters of Ripley Entertainment Inc are also located in Orlando Healthcare edit nbsp Nemours Children s Hospital located in Lake Nona Medical City a rapidly growing healthcare hub 68 Orlando has two non profit hospital systems Orlando Health and AdventHealth Orlando Health s Orlando Regional Medical Center is home to Central Florida s only Level I trauma center and Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies and AdventHealth Orlando have the area s only Level III neonatal intensive care units Orlando s medical leadership was further advanced with the completion of University of Central Florida s College of Medicine a new VA Hospital and the new Nemours Children s Hospital which is located in a new medical district in the Lake Nona area of the city 69 Housing and employment edit Historically the unemployment rate in Greater Orlando was low which resulted in growth that led to urban sprawl in the surrounding area and in combination with the United States housing bubble to a large increase in home prices Metro Orlando s unemployment rate in June 2010 was 11 1 percent was 11 4 percent in April 2010 and was about 10 percent in about the same time of year in 2009 70 As of August 2013 the area s jobless rate was 6 6 percent 71 Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 37 08 in one year from a median of 182 300 in November 2004 to 249 900 in November 2005 and eventually peaked at 264 436 in July 2007 From there with the economic meltdown prices plummeted with the median falling below 200 000 in September 2008 at one point falling at an annual rate of 39 27 The median dipped below 100 000 in 2010 before stabilizing around 110 000 in 2011 As of April 2012 the median home price is 116 000 72 Tourism edit See also List of amusement parks in Central Florida and List of Orlando Florida attractions nbsp Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom Walt Disney WorldOne of the main driving forces in Orlando s economy is its tourism industry and the city is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world Nicknamed the Theme Park Capital of the World the Orlando area is home to Walt Disney World Universal Orlando SeaWorld Orlando Legoland and Fun Spot America Theme Parks A record 75 million visitors came to the Orlando region in 2018 making it the top tourist destination in the United States 73 The Orlando area features 7 of the 10 most visited theme parks in North America 5 of the top 10 in the world as well as the 4 most visited water parks in the U S 74 The Walt Disney World resort is the area s largest attraction with its many facets such as the Magic Kingdom Epcot Disney s Hollywood Studios Disney s Animal Kingdom Typhoon Lagoon Blizzard Beach and Disney Springs Universal Orlando like Walt Disney World is a multi faceted resort comprising Universal Studios Florida Islands of Adventure Volcano Bay and Universal CityWalk SeaWorld Orlando is a large park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters like Mako Manta and Kraken The property also comprises more than one park alongside Aquatica water park and Discovery Cove Fun Spot Orlando and Kissimmee are more typical amusement parks with big thrills in a small space with roller coasters like White Lightning and Freedom Flyer in Orlando and Mine Blower and Rockstar Coaster in Kissimmee Orlando is also home to I Drive 360 on International Drive home to The Wheel at ICON Park Madame Tussauds and Sealife Aquarium Orlando attractions also appeal to many locals who want to enjoy themselves close to home The convention industry is also critical to the region s economy The Orange County Convention Center expanded in 2004 to over two million square feet 190 000 m2 of exhibition space is now the second largest convention complex in terms of space in the United States trailing only McCormick Place in Chicago The city vies with Chicago and Las Vegas for hosting the most convention attendees in the United States 75 Major events at the venue include the annual IAAPA theme park trade show and the large multigenre fan convention MegaCon Golf edit Numerous golf courses can be found in the city with the most famous 76 being Bay Hill Club and Lodge home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational Culture editFilm edit In the mid to late 1990s Orlando was known as Hollywood East because of numerous film production studios in the area although such activity has slowed down considerably into the 2000s Perhaps the most famous film making moment in the city s history occurred with the implosion of Orlando s previous City Hall for the movie Lethal Weapon 3 The same year Orlando native Wesley Snipes starred in the film Passenger 57 which was shot predominantly in his hometown For the next decade Orlando was production center for television shows direct to video productions and commercial production 77 In 1997 Walt Disney Feature Animation operated a studio in Disney s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World The feature animation studio produced the films Mulan Lilo amp Stitch and the early stages of Brother Bear but shutdown in 2004 due to the company s newfound focus on computer animation 78 Universal Studios Florida s Soundstage 21 is home to TNA Wrestling s flagship show TNA Impact Nickelodeon Studios which through the 1990s produced hundreds of hours of GAK filled game shows targeted at children citation needed no longer operates out of Universal Studios Florida In the 2000s 2020s entertainment related operations have predominantly consolidated the city s tourism related businesses namely events concerts hotels and trade shows 79 The Florida Film Festival which takes place in venues throughout the area is one of the most respected regional film festivals in the country and attracts budding filmmakers from around the world Orlando s indie film scene has been active since Haxan Film s The Blair Witch Project 1999 and a few years later with Charlize Theron winning her Academy Award for Monster 2003 A Florida state film incentive has also helped increase the number of films being produced in Orlando and the rest of the state Theater and performing arts edit nbsp Dr Phillips Center The Orlando Metropolitan Area is home to a substantial theater population Several professional and semi professional houses and many community theaters include the Central Florida Ballet Orlando Ballet Orlando Shakespeare Theater Orlando Repertory Theatre and IceHouse Theatre in Mount Dora Orlando Theatre Project closed in 2009 Additionally both University of Central Florida and Rollins College Winter Park are home to theater departments that attract an influx of young artists to the area The Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre had hosted national Broadway tours on a regular basis This venue was built in 1926 and underwent a major renovation in 1974 80 The Bob Carr has since closed due to the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic and has yet to host a show since February 2020 While waiting on the completion of Phase II construction of the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts the newly designated Bob Carr Theater will continue to host non Broadway events 81 The Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival which draws touring companies from around the world is hosted in various venues over Orlando s Loch Haven Park every spring At the festival there are also readings and fully staged productions of new and unknown plays by local artists 82 Also in the spring there is The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays hosted by Orlando Shakespeare Theater 83 Founded in 2002 the Orlando Cabaret Festival showcases local national and internationally renowned cabaret artist to Mad Cow Theatre in Downtown Orlando each spring 84 Classical Music and Music Theater are also represented Orlando has two professional orchestras the Orlando Symphony Orchestra which was founded in 1991 when the Central Florida Friends of Music reorganized and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra founded in 1993 the second of which also serves as the orchestra for productions of Opera Orlando which developed when the Florida Opera Theater founded in 2009 reorganized in 2016 Literary arts edit nbsp Orange County Regional History Center The indie literary presses Burrow Press and Autofocus are based in Orlando There is also a large concentration of slam poets and poetry events in and around the metro area which has led to the city being dubbed Litlando This name is fitting as legend goes that the city s name and Rosalind Avenue in downtown Orlando were taken from characters from the Shakespeare play As You Like It while Lake Ivanhoe was named after the namesake character from the 1820 book Ivanhoe by Walter Scott Music and local culture edit Orlando is home to numerous recording studios and producers and as a result contributed heavily to the boyband craze of the mid 1990s The groups Backstreet Boys N Sync and O Town were each formed in Orlando prior to their mainstream commercial breakthroughs The alternative rock groups Matchbox Twenty Seven Mary Three and Alter Bridge hail from Orlando as well as the Christian hip hop act Group 1 Crew Orlando also has a prominent metal scene spawning bands such as Death and Trivium There are also hip hop music metal rock music reggaeton and Latino music scenes that have all been active within the city A substantial amount of the teenage and young adult populations identify as being goth emo or punk 85 failed verification Orlando experienced its own Second Summer of Love between 1991 and 1992 that popularized the subculture surrounding electronic dance music in Florida 86 87 Over the years the intensity of the music increased In the late 1990s Skrape a metal band was established shortly followed by the screamo band From First to Last as well as the alternative metal band Fireflight citation needed In the early 2000s the heavy metal bands Trivium and Mindscar formed citation needed In the later 2000s more screamo bands such as Blood on the Dance Floor Sleeping with Sirens and Broadway were established 88 failed verification The Vans Warped Tour a concert containing metalcore screamo punk bands takes place in Orlando annually 89 failed verification Sprawling urban developments have led a number of hip hop artists from Orlando to garner mainstream recognition and sign with major labels most notably Tyla Yaweh signed to Epic Records Hotboii signed to Interscope Records and 9lokkNine signed to Cash Money Records The highest charting song from an Orlando based rapper is the 2019 single 223 s by YNW Melly and 9lokkNine which peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 9lokkNine featured on as a guest artist on its official release 90 91 Gaming YouTuber Dream is based in Orlando He has accumulated 40 million combined subscribers and signed a recording deal with Republic Records in 2023 92 Shopping malls edit nbsp The Mall at Millenia The Mall at Millenia is a contemporary two level upscale shopping mall including the department stores of Bloomingdale s Macy s and Neiman Marcus The mall covers an area of 1 118 million square feet 103 900 m2 IKEA Orlando opened adjacent to the mall on November 14 2007 Orlando Fashion Square is located on East Colonial Drive near Downtown Orlando Seritage Growth Properties NYSE SRG is planning a late summer 2017 completion of a major renovation that will welcome new shops and restaurants to the East Colonial Drive area Orlando International Premium Outlets is an outdoor outlet mall with over 180 stores Lifestyle centers edit Universal CityWalk is an entertainment and retail district located at the entrance of Universal Studios Florida CityWalk originally began as an expansion at Universal s first park in Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk Orlando opened in February 1999 as one major component of the expansion that transformed Universal Studios Florida into the renowned resort it is today In popular culture edit The films Miami Connection Ernest Saves Christmas Larry the Cable Guy Health Inspector Never Back Down and The Florida Project take place in and were filmed entirely in Orlando The novel Paper Towns takes place in the city but the film adaptation was shot in North Carolina Establishing shots were filmed around Orlando notably in downtown and along Orange Blossom Trail Geostorm has a scene where Orlando is destroyed by a lightning storm However those scenes were filmed in New Orleans Parenthood was filmed entirely in Orlando but takes place in St Louis D A R Y L was partially filmed in Orlando notably the climactic chase scene takes place in downtown Orlando along State Road 408 East West Expressway citation needed Scenes were also filmed for Transformers Dark of the Moon at the Orlando International Airport in early October 2010 93 Orlando is also the city very prominently featured in the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat Though set in Louisiana filming for Passenger 57 took place in Wesley Snipes hometown of Orlando Florida with Orlando Sanford International Airport standing in for Lake Lucille airport 94 The airport s former combination main hangar and control tower from its time as Naval Air Station Sanford was used for many key scenes just prior to its demolition after filming 95 Various scenes from Monster set in Daytona Beach were also filmed in the Orlando Winter Park Florida and Kissimmee areas 96 Sports editMain article Sports in Orlando Florida Professional sports teams Club Sport League Venue Average attendance Founded Titles Orlando Magic Basketball NBA Kia Center 16 785 1989 0 Orlando City SC Soccer MLS Inter amp Co Stadium 20 404 97 2015 1 Orlando Predators Arena football NAL Kia Center 2019 0 Orlando Solar Bears 98 Ice hockey ECHL Kia Center 6 209 2012 0 Orlando Anarchy Women s football WFA Trinity Preparatory School 2010 1 Orlando Pride Women s soccer NWSL Inter amp Co Stadium 4 837 2016 0 nbsp The Kia Center Orlando is the home city of two major league professional sports teams the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association NBA and Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer MLS Orlando has three minor league professional teams the Orlando Solar Bears ECHL ice hockey team the Orlando Predators of the National Arena League NAL and the Orlando Anarchy of the Women s Football Alliance The original Orlando Solar Bears were part of the International Hockey League winning the last Turner Cup championship in 2001 before the league folded From 1991 to 2016 the city was also home to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League Orlando was home to the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League in 1985 The team folded along with the league in 1986 99 In 2016 the Orlando Pride began to play in the National Women s Soccer League Starting in 2017 they shared Inter amp Co Stadium with Orlando City SC Orlando s sports teams have collectively won two Arena Bowls 1998 2000 two titles in ice hockey three titles in minor league baseball and two titles in soccer The city has hosted the NBA All Star Game twice in 1992 at the old Orlando Arena and in 2012 at the current Kia Center Orlando also hosted the 2015 ECHL All Star Game at Kia Center Orlando also hosts the University of Central Florida UCF Knights college athletics teams which compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA as a member of the Big 12 Conference Big 12 Conference Camping World Stadium the former Citrus Bowl stadium hosts two annual college football bowl games the Citrus Bowl and the Pop Tarts Bowl It also hosted the 1998 Major League Soccer All Star Game Orlando is the host city for the annual Florida Classic one of the largest FCS football classics in the nation It also began hosting the National Football League s Pro Bowl as well as a series of FBS kickoff games called the Orlando Kickoff in 2016 Inter amp Co Stadium home of the Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride also hosts one FBS college bowl game The Cure Bowl and hosted the 2019 MLS All Star Game Orlando is home to many notable athletes former and present including baseball players Carlos Pena Frank Viola Ken Griffey Jr and Barry Larkin basketball players Shaquille O Neal and Tracy McGrady soccer players Alex Morgan Marta Nani and Kaka and golfers including Tiger Woods Mark O Meara and Arnold Palmer citation needed The annual Community Effort Orlando CEO is the second biggest fighting game tournament of the country Having grown since its introduction in 2010 the event got over 4 000 attendees from more than 25 countries in 2016 100 101 In 2020 the remaining games of the 2019 20 NBA season were arranged to be played in the NBA Bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Orlando suburb Bay Lake Florida 102 Government and politics edit nbsp The Orange County Courthouse complex comprises the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Florida and the Orange County Court OrlandoCrime rates 2014 Violent crimesHomicide15Rape167Robbery620Aggravated assault1 538Total violent crime2 340Property crimesBurglary3 342Larceny theft12 182Motor vehicle theft991Arson55Total property crime16 515Notes Number of reported crimes per 100 000 population 2014 population 259 675Source 2014 FBI UCR Data Municipal government edit Orlando is governed via the mayor council system the mayor is a strong mayor 103 The mayor is elected in a citywide vote The six members of the city council are each elected from districts Main article List of mayors of Orlando Florida Mayor Buddy Dyer D City Council nbsp Current composition of Orlando City Council District Name Party officially nonpartisan 1 Jim Gray Republican 104 2 Tony Ortiz Republican 104 3 Robert Stuart Democratic 104 4 Patty Sheehan Democratic 104 5 Regina Hill Democratic 104 6 Bakari F Burns Democratic 105 Police brutality lawsuit settlements edit In April 2015 it was reported that 56 year old June Walker Scott had filed a 4 5 million federal lawsuit against the City of Orlando and certain officers According to the suit the city has paid 3 3 million since 2012 to people who have accused officers of excessive force 106 Politics edit From the mid 20th century to the early 21st century Orlando was one of the most politically conservative cities in the United States having voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election from 1948 to 2004 This streak was broken when Barack Obama won it in 2008 becoming the first Democrat to carry the city in a presidential election since Franklin D Roosevelt in 1944 It has since become a Democratic stronghold in statewide and local elections Education editPublic primary and secondary education is handled by Orange County Public Schools Some of the private schools include Saint James Cathedral School founded 1928 Orlando Lutheran Academy Forest Lake Academy The First Academy Ibn Seena Academy Trinity Preparatory School Lake Highland Preparatory School Bishop Moore High School and Orlando Christian Prep Area institutions of higher education edit nbsp The University of Central Florida Library nbsp Full Sail University State universities edit University of Central Florida Florida A amp M University College of Law Florida State University College of Medicine State colleges edit Valencia College Seminole State College of Florida Sanford Oviedo amp Altamonte Springs Private universities colleges and others edit Adventist University of Health Sciences Main Campus Ana G Mendez University System Anthem College Orlando Campus Asbury Theological Seminary Orlando Campus Belhaven University Orlando Campus Columbia College Orlando Campus Connecticut School of Broadcasting Orlando Campus DeVry University Orlando campus Dwayne O Andreas School of Law Barry University Everest University Orlando campus Florida Institute of Technology Orlando campus Full Sail University in Winter Park Herzing College in Winter Park Hindu University of America International Academy of Design amp Technology Orlando ITT Technical Institute Lake Mary Campus Keiser University Orlando Campus Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Orlando Campus closed in 2015 McBurney College Orlando Campus Nova Southeastern University Orlando campus Palm Beach Atlantic University Orlando Campus Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando Campus Reformed Theological Seminary Orlando campus Remington College of Nursing in Lake Mary Rollins College in Winter Park Southern Technical College Strayer University Orlando campus University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Apopka Supplementary schools edit The Orlando Hoshuko a weekend supplementary school for Japanese children is held at the Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando 107 Media editSee also List of newspapers in Florida List of radio stations in Florida and List of television stations in Florida Television edit Orlando is the center of the 19th largest media market in the United States according to Nielsen Media Research as of the 2010 2011 TV season 108 Three major network affiliates operate in the city WKMG TV 6 CBS WFTV 9 ABC and Fox O amp O WOFL 35 WFTV and WOFL operate additional stations in Orlando with WFTV operating independent station WRDQ 27 and WOFL operating MyNetworkTV O amp O WRBW 65 The market s NBC affiliate WESH 2 is licensed to Daytona Beach and also owns and operates CW affiliate WKCF 18 licensed to Clermont both stations operate out of studios based in nearby Eatonville The city is also served by three public television stations WUCF TV 24 the market s PBS member station operated by the University of Central Florida and two independent stations Daytona State College s WDSC TV 15 in New Smyrna Beach and Eastern Florida State College s WEFS 68 in Cocoa Four Spanish language channels are licensed in Orlando including UniMas O amp O WOTF DT 43 and Telemundo affiliate WTMO CD 31 Univision affiliate WVEN TV 43 which operates WOTF DT under a LMA is based in Daytona Beach Several English language stations also operate Spanish language subchannels The city s cable system is run by Bright House Networks which merged with Charter in May 2016 and is now called Spectrum Spectrum operates News 13 a cable exclusive regional 24 7 news channel which covers Central Florida news including that of Orlando Orlando is also home to NBC Sports Golf Channel cable television network Facilities including studios and administration are located at 7580 Golf Channel Drive just blocks from the I Drive tourism corridor Radio edit 25 AM and 28 FM stations transmit to the Orlando area Some of the country s biggest radio station owners have major presences in Orlando including iHeartMedia Cox Radio and Audacy Newspapers edit Orlando s primary newspaper the Orlando Sentinel is the second largest newspaper in Florida by circulation The Sentinel s Spanish language edition El Sentinel is the largest Spanish language newspaper in Florida 109 The city is also served by the following newspapers Orlando Business Journal Orlando Weekly Bungalower The Community PaperTransportation editOrlando uses the Lynx bus system as well as a downtown bus service called Lymmo Orlando and other neighboring communities are also serviced by SunRail a local commuter rail line that began service in 2014 Airports edit nbsp Orlando International Airport Orlando International Airport MCO is Orlando s primary airport and the busiest airport in the state of Florida The airport serves as a hub and a focus hub city for Frontier Airlines JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines The airport serves as a major international gateway for the mid Florida region with major foreign carriers including Aerolineas Argentinas Aer Lingus Aeromexico Air Canada British Airways Lufthansa Emirates Airlines Norwegian Air Shuttle Latam and Virgin Atlantic Orlando Sanford International Airport SFB in nearby suburb of Sanford Florida serves as a secondary airport for the region and is a focus city airport for Allegiant Air Orlando Executive Airport ORL near Downtown Orlando serves primarily executive jets flight training schools and general small aircraft aviation Roads edit Orlando like other major cities experiences gridlock and traffic jams daily especially when commuting from the northern suburbs in Seminole County south to downtown and from the eastern suburbs of Orange County to Downtown Heavy traffic is also common in the tourist district south of downtown Rush hours peak traffic hours are usually weekday mornings after 7 am and afternoons after 4 pm There are various traffic advisory resources available for commuters including downloading the Tele Traffic App available for iPhone and Android dialing 5 1 1 a free automated traffic advisory system provided by the Florida Department of Transportation available by dialing 511 visiting the Florida 511 Web site listening to traffic reports on major radio stations and reading electronic traffic advisory displays also called Variable message signs information is also provided by FDOT on the major highways and roadways Major highways edit nbsp I 4 eastbound approaching Downtown Orlando nbsp Interstate 4 is Orlando s primary interstate highway Orlando is the second largest city served by only one interstate surpassed only by Austin Texas and is the largest metropolitan area in the US serviced by a single interstate The interstate begins in Tampa Florida and travels northeast across the midsection of the state directly through Orlando ending in Daytona Beach As a key connector to Orlando s suburbs downtown area attractions and both coasts I 4 commonly experiences heavy traffic and congestion I 4 is also known as State Road 400 nbsp East West Expressway Toll 408 is a major east west highway managed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority The highway intersects with I 4 in Downtown Orlando providing a key artery for residents commuting from eastern and western suburbs including the University of Central Florida and Waterford Lakes area The highway also intersects with the Central Florida Greeneway Toll 417 and Florida s Turnpike By late 2006 the I 4 408 interchange had almost completed undergoing a major overhaul that creates multiple fly over bridges and connectors to ease heavy traffic The agency recently when finished construction of lane expansions new toll plazas and sound barriers along the roadway though much work remains to be done nbsp Beachline Expressway Toll 528 provides key access to the Orlando International Airport and serves as a gateway to the Atlantic coast specifically Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral nbsp Central Florida Greeneway Toll 417 is a key highway for East Orlando the highway is also managed by the Central Florida Expressway Authority and serves as Orlando s eastern beltway The highway intersects with the East West Expressway Toll 408 the Beachline Expressway Toll 528 and begins and ends on Interstate 4 nbsp Daniel Webster Western Beltway Toll 429 serves as Orlando s western beltway It is managed jointly by the Florida Turnpike and the Central Florida Expressway Authority The highway serves as a back entrance to Walt Disney World from Orlando s northwestern suburbs including Apopka via Florida s Turnpike nbsp John Land Apopka Expressway Toll 414 A new east to west tollway serving northern Orlando Phase I opened on February 14 2009 and extends from US 441 to State Road 429 Phase II opened on January 19 2013 and links SR 429 to US 441 several miles west of the former SR 429 now renamed State Road 451 intersection nbsp Florida s Turnpike Toll 91 is a major highway that connects northern Florida with Orlando and terminates in Miami Rail edit The Orlando area is served by one through railroad The line now known as the Central Florida Rail Corridor CFRC was previously known as the A line formerly the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad s main line The line was purchased from CSX Transportation by the State of Florida in 2013 and is now used by SunRail the Central Florida commuter rail system Some freight spurs still exist off of the line which are operated by the Florida Central Railroad Amtrak passenger service runs along CFRC See also a map of these railroads nbsp Platform side Orlando Amtrak Station Amtrak intercity passenger rail service operates from the Orlando Amtrak Station south of downtown The Mission Revival style station has been in continuous use since 1927 110 first for the Atlantic Coast Line then the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad signage for which is still displayed over the station s main entrance Amtrak s Silver Meteor and Silver Star service Orlando four times daily twice bound for points north to New York City and twice bound for points south to Miami Orlando also serves as a transfer hub for Amtrak Thruway bus service Orlando Station has the highest Amtrak ridership in the state with the exception of the Auto Train depot located in nearby Sanford 111 Historically Orlando s other major railroad stations have included Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Orlando station now Church Street Station a commercial development Seaboard Air Line Railroad Orlando station Central Avenue Station 1898 1955 Commuter rail edit This section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information January 2023 Main article SunRail nbsp A southbound SunRail train leaving Winter Park station In 2005 federal and state funding was granted for the establishment of SunRail a local commuter rail service to operate on the former CSX A line tracks between DeLand and Poinciana passing through the downtown area and surrounding urban neighborhoods along the way The service is expected to substantially reduce traffic congestion along the I 4 corridor especially between Downtown Orlando and the suburban communities in Seminole and Volusia Counties Federal and state funds covered approximately 80 of the estimated 400 million cost for track modifications and construction of stations along the route The counties involved approved local matching funds in 2007 and the line was originally projected to begin operations in 2011 112 However the project was ultimately voted down by Florida State Senate in 2008 and again in 2009 due to an amendment that would have approved a 200 million insurance policy for the system Although there had been growing concern the system would be scrapped a deadline extension combined with a new insurance arrangement with CSX brought new hope that SunRail will be completed after all 113 In a special session in December 2009 the Florida Legislature approved commuter rail for Florida which also enabled high speed rail federal funding SunRail began passenger service on May 1 2014 Phase I of the rail system runs from DeBary to Sand Lake Road in South Orlando Phase II connects DeBary and continues north to DeLand as well as extending from Sand Lake Road in Orlando south to Poinciana Attempts to establish a smaller light rail service for the Orlando area were also considered at one time when but were also met with much resistance Inter city rail edit nbsp The Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal is the terminus for Brightline an inter city rail service between Orlando and Miami Main article Brightline A privately funded initiative known as All Aboard Florida which would provide inter city rail service from Miami to Orlando was announced in March 2012 114 Now known as Brightline the train currently runs from Downtown Miami to the Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal The Orlando extension includes 40 miles 64 km of new railway track and top speeds reach 125 mph 201 km h becoming one of the fastest rail services in the United States 115 Service to Orlando began on September 22 2023 116 Future plans are underway to add a station near Disney Springs 117 Bus edit nbsp Lynx bus on the Route 102 line in Orlando Lynx provides local transit service covering a five county area Orange Seminole Osceola Polk and Volusia 118 119 Lynx bus frequency varies depending on the route and time of day Greyhound Lines offers intercity bus service from Orlando to multiple locations across the country The Orlando Greyhound Station is located west of Downtown Orlando Having a very well developed tourism industry and millions of visitors per year the City of Orlando has multiple options for groups arriving and touring the city and surrounding areas by local charter bus companies Taxi edit Orlando is served by a collection of independently owned taxi companies In downtown Orlando taxis can be hailed on a regular basis Taxis are also available in and around the Amway Center Orlando Convention Center and all major attractions theme parks Orlando also has service from car sharing companies like Uber and Lyft which offer service at all airports Airport shuttles edit Transportation between the Orlando International Airport and various locations in and around Orlando is provided by airport shuttle services Several shuttles operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week International relations editSister cities edit See also List of sister cities in Florida Orlando s sister cities are 120 Curitiba Brazil Guilin China Monterrey Mexico Seine et Marne France Tainan Taiwan Urayasu Japan Valladolid Spain Foreign consulates edit Given Orlando s status as a busy international tourist destination and growing industrial and commercial base there are several foreign consulates and honorary consulates in Orlando including as of April 2023 Austria Brazil Chile Colombia Czech Republic France Germany Haiti Iceland Honorary Italy Honorary Japan Mexico the Netherlands and Switzerland Honorary 121 In 1999 Orlando had the second highest number of foreign consulates in Florida next to Miami 122 See also editList of people from Orlando FloridaNotes edit Distance measured from Orlando City Hall to nearest Atlantic coastline near Oak Hill Brevard County and nearest Gulf coastline near Pine Island Hernando County using Google Earth s Ruler tool References edit a b c U S Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System Orlando Florida 2020 U S Gazetteer Files United States Census Bureau Retrieved October 31 2021 Total Gross Domestic Product for Orlando Kissimmee Sanford FL MSA fred stlouisfed org https www orlando gov files sharedassets public v 1 departments edv city planning growth projections 2022 2022 to 2050 growth projections report october 2020 pdf America s 10 most visited cities World Atlas December 5 2023 Passenger Traffic for past 12 months ending May 2011 Archived August 12 2011 at the Wayback Machine Airports org Retrieved August 21 2011 The World According to GaWC 2020 GaWC Research Network Globalization and World Cities Retrieved August 31 2020 a b c d Fort Gatlin established myfloridahistory org Florida Historical Society Archived from the original on March 2 2017 Retrieved March 1 2017 Wallace Dickinson Joy July 6 2003 Giant Council Oak Is Gone But Its Presence Is Felt The Orlando Sentinel Retrieved March 1 2017 Dickinson Joy Wallace 2003 Orlando city of dreams Charleston South Carolina Arcadia Pub pp 21 22 ISBN 978 0 7385 2442 9 a b c d Andrews Mark May 7 2000 Site s Key To Orlando History Fort Gatlin The Orlando Sentinel Retrieved March 1 2017 By June 14 1998 AARON JERNIGAN POSTMASTER LEGISLATOR MURDER SUSPECT Orlando Sentinel Retrieved January 8 2024 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Andrews Mark January 18 1998 Legendary Orlando Reeves Was A Remarkable Man Or Was He Orlando Sentinel Retrieved March 3 2017 a b Orlando s First Settler Aaron Jernigan Retrieved March 2 2017 Dickinson Joy Wallace March 13 2005 You re Really Living in the Land of Jernigan The Orlando Sentinel Retrieved March 4 2017 a b c d e f g h i Dickinson Joy Wallace 2003 Orlando city of dreams Charleston South Carolina Arcadia Pub pp 24 25 ISBN 978 0 7385 2442 9 a b c History of Orlando Florida Backroads Travel Retrieved March 2 2017 a b c Dickinson Joy Wallace January 28 2001 Mystery of Name Tracked Down Long Winding Trail Orlando Sentinel Retrieved March 3 2017 a b c d Dickinson Joy Wallace 2003 Orlando city of dreams Charleston South Carolina Arcadia Pub pp 13 14 24 ISBN 978 0 7385 2442 9 Andrews Mark November 13 1994 The Legend of Orlando s Name Crumbles Under Expert Scrutiny Orlando Sentinel Retrieved March 4 2017 About Historical Society of Central Florida Retrieved April 17 2022 Reflections Fall 2015 Vol 13 No 4 Retrieved March 1 2017 Mosier Tana 2009 Historic Orange County The Story of Orlando and Orange County Texas Mahler Books p 51 ISBN 9781893619999 1 Archived March 14 2014 at the Wayback Machine 10 Best Hotels in Orlando for AARP Members in 2017 AARP Travel Center Expedia Retrieved May 5 2017 Doornbos Caitlin September 23 2016 Transcripts of 911 calls reveal Pulse shooter s terrorist motives Lotan Jeff Weiner Gal Tziperman Pulse nightclub owner says she won t sell to city a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Topography Florida www city data com Retrieved December 4 2018 Map of Orlando PDF Cityoforlando net Archived from the original PDF on July 13 2014 Retrieved August 2 2014 Buildings of Orlando Emporis com Archived from the original on June 2 2004 Retrieved November 17 2012 Schlueb Mark January 25 2015 No Space Needle or Gateway Arch What defines Orlando s skyline OrlandoSentinel com Retrieved December 6 2018 200 South Orange Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Retrieved October 3 2022 Sweezey Amy June 10 2019 What is the Central Florida rainy season WESH Thunderstorms Florida Climate Center Retrieved January 10 2019 Snow falls in central Florida as state endures unusual Nov cold snap USA Today Retrieved May 23 2012 Florida cold spell brings flurries to Orlando The Washington Post Retrieved May 23 2012 Pepsi 400 Postponed By Fires Sun Sentinel Articles sun sentinel com July 3 1998 Archived from the original on May 7 2013 Retrieved October 16 2012 Hurricane Donna is born HISTORY Retrieved March 14 2022 NOWData NOAA Online Weather Data National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Retrieved October 24 2022 Monthly Normals 1991 2020 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Retrieved October 24 2022 Census of Population And Housing U S Census Bureau Retrieved October 25 2008 Census 2010 News U S Census Bureau Delivers Florida s 2010 Census Population Totals Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting 2010 census gov March 17 2011 Archived from the original on December 14 2012 Retrieved November 17 2012 Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places of 50 000 or More April 1 2010 to July 1 2018 Retrieved June 15 2019 Florida Department of Agriculture 1906 Census of the State of Florida Urbana I L a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link Census of Population and Housing Census gov Retrieved June 4 2016 P004 Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2000 DEC Summary File 1 Orlando city Florida United States Census Bureau P2 Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2010 DEC Redistricting Data PL 94 171 Orlando city Florida United States Census Bureau P2 Hispanic or Latino and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race 2010 DEC Redistricting Data PL 94 171 Orlando city Florida United States Census Bureau S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES 2020 Orlando city Florida United States Census Bureau S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES 2010 Orlando city Florida United States Census Bureau Bureau U S Census American FactFinder Results factfinder census gov Archived from the original on February 13 2020 Retrieved January 21 2016 Puerto Ricans Gain Political Clout in Florida NPR org NPR Retrieved November 17 2012 Orlando city Florida State amp County QuickFacts U S Census Bureau Archived from the original on April 27 2012 Retrieved April 21 2012 Florida Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places Earliest Census to 1990 U S Census Bureau Archived from the original on August 12 2012 Retrieved April 21 2012 Being Muslim in Greater Orlando Orlando Family Magazine Retrieved December 6 2023 Muslim Women s Organization Muslim Women s Organization Retrieved December 6 2023 The Art of Parenting course offered at JLI Heritage Florida Jewish News January 16 2015 Sheskin Ira M December 1994 Jewish identity in the sunbelt the Jewish population of Orlando Florida Contemporary Jewry 15 1 26 38 doi 10 1007 BF02986640 S2CID 147133009 Leonhardt David Miller Claire Cain March 20 2015 The Metro Areas With the Largest and Smallest Gay Populations The New York Times Retrieved June 8 2017 via NYTimes com Barth Cindy March 24 2015 Orlando has 20th highest LGBT percentage among largest U S metros Orlando Business Journal Retrieved July 29 2021 Disney Gay Days 2017 www WDWInfo com Retrieved June 8 2017 Commissioner Patty Sheehan Biography beta orlando gov Retrieved February 20 2019 ORLANDO AN IMMIGRATION SNAPSHOT PDF Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Orlando Florida MLA org March 15 2006 Retrieved November 17 2012 Orlando city Florida Selected Social Characteristics in the United States 2006 2008 Factfinder census gov Archived from the original on February 11 2020 Retrieved November 17 2012 2 Archived August 25 2009 at the Wayback Machine Darden headquarters to open Wednesday in Orlando Orlando Sentinel September 26 2009 Archived from the original on February 11 2010 Retrieved November 17 2012 Vatner Jonathan Orlando s Newest Attraction Is Medical The New York Times September 7 2010 Accessed April 7 2024 Lake Nona Is Site of New VA Hospital Internet Broadcasting Systems WKMG TV March 2 2007 Archived from the original on February 12 2009 Retrieved July 15 2008 Nemours Children s Hospital Orlando Nemours Foundation Archived from the original on October 17 2011 Retrieved November 18 2011 Stratton Jim Florida jobless rate drops to 11 7 percent Orlando Sentinel June 18 2010 Stratton Jim September 20 2013 Florida unemployment rate falls to 7 percent Orlando Sentinel Retrieved October 27 2015 Metropolitan Orlando Housing Trends Summary Orlando Regional Realtor Association May 9 2012 Retrieved on My 17 2012 Santana Marco May 9 2019 Surge in Latin American visitors push Visit Orlando tourism to record in 2018 Orlando Sentinel Retrieved May 19 2019 2012 TEA AECOM Themed Index Archived November 27 2013 at the Wayback Machine May 23 2014 Bergen Kathy Las Vegas and Orlando Bruising Chicago s Trade Show Business The Chicago Tribune September 11 2003 Orlando Golf Courses Find Private amp Public Golf Courses www visitorlando com Retrieved June 19 2020 What Happened to Hollywood East Southwest Orlando Bulletin July 17 2004 Disney Closes Florida Animation Studio Lawmakers debate repealing Florida s film and entertainment office Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre City of Orlando Venues Archived from the original on September 24 2014 Dr Phillips Center s 3 month out update News 13 Spectrum News Archived from the original on January 22 2016 Retrieved September 23 2014 2010 Orlando Fringe Festival Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival Orlandofringe org Retrieved November 17 2012 Playfest The Harriet Lake Festival of New Plays Vroomvroomvroom com Retrieved March 19 2014 About Us Orlando Cabaret Festival Orlandocabaret com Archived from the original on May 8 2013 Retrieved November 17 2012 Thee Grotto carves out dance floor space in downtown Orlando tribunedigital orlandosentinel Kelemen Matt September 2 1998 Wizards of Aahz The Florida winter had ju orlandoweekly com The Orlando Weekly Retrieved November 30 2015 Collins could not be aware of it at the time but those Saturday nights eventually known as Aahz would kick start an underground culture and spawn countless DJ careers Orlando would never be the same By 1991 1992 Orlando experienced its own summer of love through the culture that sprang up around the weekend acid house nights at the Beacham Theatre presided over by Collins and Dave Cannalte and nurtured by Beacham promoter StaceBass only New York San Francisco and L A had similar scenes and they were characterized by warehouse parties Orlando had a headquarters in the heart of its downtown district From then on the crowds would refer to the Beacham as Aahz no matter what the owners called it Spanos Brittany March 23 2018 N Sync vs Backstreet Boys Remembering Their Fierce Boy Band Rivalry Rolling Stone Retrieved March 14 2022 Epitaph Records March 21 2006 From First To Last Epitaph Records The Vans Warped Tour 2014 last fm 3 Rappers from Orlando You Need to Have on Your Radar September 18 2021 https genius com who is 19 year old orlando rapper 9lokknine with viral hits 223 s 10 percent crayola The timing is immaculate Dream gives fans a heads up informs of hurricane impeding his face reveal plans September 28 2022 Transformers 3 Begins Filming in Central Fla News Story WFTV Orlando October 3 2010 Archived from the original on October 3 2010 Retrieved December 12 2018 Passenger 57 1992 IMDb via www imdb com unreliable source Greene James Jr June 27 2014 Location Matters the Orlando Sanford Airport from Passenger 57 Orlando Weekly Retrieved July 29 2021 13 Movies You Didn t Know Were Filmed in Orlando Orlando Economic Partnership June 27 2018 MLS attendance 2023 Orlando City SC Goal May 1 2023 Retrieved May 23 2023 ECHL Attendance Down 2 Ontario CA Reign Lead In Final Season With League May 12 2015 USFL info Orlando Renegades www usfl info Archived from the original on December 8 2015 Retrieved December 25 2015 Richardson Matthew June 1 2016 3 new things coming to Orlando s biggest video game tournament Orlando Business Journal Alphonse Craig June 23 2016 Community Effort Orlando is What it Sounds Like Red Bull Reynolds Tim NBA Board of Governors approves 22 team restart of 2019 20 season NBA com Associated Press Florida Cities by Population amp Form of Government PDF Retrieved April 13 2019 a b c d e Municipal elections in Orlando Florida 2017 Ballotpedia The Rainbow Democrats endorses Bakari Burns for Orlando City Commissioner District 6 Rainbow Democrats Inc November 27 2019 Retrieved December 4 2019 Stutzman Rene April 6 2015 Woman files 4 5M excessive force suit against Orlando police Orlando Sentinel Retrieved April 24 2019 地図 Archived February 16 2015 at the Wayback Machine Orlando Hoshuko Retrieved on February 16 2015 住所 901 Highland Ave Orlando Florida 32803 Number of U S TV Households Climbs by One Million for 2010 11 TV Season Nielsen Wire Blog nielsen com August 27 2010 Retrieved December 10 2011 Highest Circulation Florida Newspapers the biggest newspapers in Florida at Mondo Times Mondonewspapers com Archived from the original on August 19 2010 Retrieved December 10 2011 Mulligan M Railroad Depots of Central Florida page 42 Arcadia Publishing 2008 Amtrak Fact Sheet Fiscal Year 2009 Amtrak Retrieved February 2 2010 A Better Way To Go SunRail Retrieved August 2 2014 3 Archived July 4 2009 at the Wayback Machine Brightline Book Rides amp Enjoy Florida Train Travel Archived from the original on February 9 2015 Retrieved February 16 2015 Tate Curtis High speed rail coming down the track America s newest fastest trains from Acela to Brightline USA TODAY Retrieved June 7 2021 Orlando Brightline Retrieved September 23 2023 Lynch Ryan Bilbao Richard Brightline confirms alternative train station near Disney but not on property in the works Orlando Business Journal Retrieved June 30 2022 The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority LYNX Golynx com Retrieved November 17 2012 Lake County to End Commuter Contract to LYNX Golynx com August 29 2013 International Affairs orlando gov City of Orlando Retrieved February 10 2023 Directory of Consulates Bi National Chambers and Sister Cities in Florida PDF Florida Department of State April 2023 Archived PDF from the original on May 4 2023 Retrieved October 7 2023 Foreign Embassies and Consulates in United States Embassiesabroad com September 15 1999 Archived from the original on April 29 2010 Retrieved November 17 2012 The Economic Contribution of Conventions The Case of Orlando FloridaBibliography editSee also Bibliography of the history of Orlando FloridaExternal links editOrlando Florida at Wikipedia s sister projects nbsp Definitions from Wiktionary nbsp Media from Commons nbsp News from Wikinews nbsp Quotations from Wikiquote nbsp Texts from Wikisource nbsp Textbooks from Wikibooks nbsp Resources from Wikiversity nbsp Travel information from Wikivoyage Official website Orlando Florida at Curlie Portals nbsp North America nbsp United States nbsp Florida nbsp Cities Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Orlando Florida amp oldid 1223796625, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.