The City Of Orlando Florida

Image of Orlando International Airport in Orlando Florida

Orlando is a city in the state of Florida in the United States and is Orange County’s county seat. It is situated about 60 miles northwest of Melbourne and 85 miles northeast of Tampa, in an area dotted with lakes. Orlando is the center of the Orlando metropolitan area in Central Florida, with a population of 2,509,831 and is the third largest metropolitan area in Florida.

Orlando

Orlando, Florida is perhaps best known for Disney World ¹ and Universal, but it has much more to offer. Each year, about 60 million tourists come to this central Florida area for the warm climate, the world-famous theme parks, the shopping malls, golf courses and the nightlife. Visitors flock to the Orlando beaches, as some of the finest in America are within easy reach.

You’ll find classics like Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as Legoland, SeaWorld, Aquatica and Gatorland ², theme park-wise, to name a few. International Drive ³, only a few miles southwest of Downtown, is another region Orlando is well known for. I-Drive is home to the Orange County Convention Center, the Pointe Orlando entertainment complex, Seaworld and Fun Spot America amusement park, extending for more than 10 miles.

History

The history of Orlando dates back to 1838 and to the height of the Seminole Wars. To shield settlers from attacks by Indians, the U.S. Army founded Fort Gatlin south of today’s Orlando City limits. A small community had built up around the Fort by 1840. It was known as Jernigan, named after the family of Jernigan, who had founded the area’s first permanent settlement.

Six years later, the city formally changed its name to Orlando as the settlement spread northward. The U.S. in 1857 name change was adopted by the post office. With 85 residents, 22 of whom were eligible voters, the town of Orlando was incorporated in 1875.

The history of where the name Orlando originated is not as clear. There are four stories commonly told. One includes Judge James Speer, who worked hard to get Orlando as the seat of the county, naming Orlando after a man who worked for him once.

Another one is that Speer called it ‘As You Like It’ after a character from Shakespeare. A third version of Mr. Orlando has a caravan of oxes on his way to Tampa ⁴. It is said that he got sick, died and was buried, and people would come by and say, “Orlando is lying there.”

During the height of the Seminole Wars, the final theory is about a company of soldiers on duty. The military troops settled there for the night after fighting Indians back in the swamps on the east side of Lake Minnie (now Cherokee). When he saw a log floating towards him, Sentinel Orlando Reeves was protecting the camp. He shot his rifle, seeing the Indian mask and trying to alert his fellow soldiers. As the Indians came out to ambush the camp, Arrows dropped the poor fellow. Again the Indians were chased back, and they preferred the south side of Lake Eola to bury Orlando Reeves.

Geography of Orlando

Orlando’s geography is largely wetlands, including several lakes and swamps. Generally, the surface of the land is toned, leaving the soil relatively small and wet. There is a vast range of lakes in the area and Lake Apopka is the biggest. The bedrock of Central Florida is predominantly limestone and unbelievably porous. The region of Orlando is prone to sinkholes.

Attractions

Each year, about 60 million tourists come to this central Florida area for the warm climate, the world-famous theme parks, the shopping malls, the golf courses and the nightlife. They even come for the beaches, as some of the finest in America are within easy reach.

You’ll find classics like Disney World and Universal Studios, as well as Legoland, SeaWorld, Aquatica and Gatorland, theme park-wise, to name a few. Most of the vacation rentals in Orlando are located in top resorts just minutes from Disney World, and within easy reach of other attractions in Orlando.

Transportation Options In Orlando

Orlando International Airport ⁵ is located about 20 minutes from International Drive, the heart of our tourism district, and partners with more than 40 scheduled airlines to provide nonstop service from more than 150 international and domestic destinations.

Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) ⁶ also services the city. It’s located 18 miles northeast of Orlando, about 45 minutes away from our tourist town.

Amtrak offers service through its station in downtown Orlando if you prefer rail travel. SunRail, the commuter rail operation, links key towns along the main corridor. Virgin Trains and the Florida High Speed Corridor are building express-rail service to Orlando in the coming years.

Traveling From Melbourne FL To Orlando FL

Melbourne is the closest major city to Orlando and it would only take 1 hour and 13 minuets to drive there. A non-stop drive from Melbourne Florida to Orlando Florida would take approx. 1 hour and 13 minuets.

There are 56.45 miles in the northwest direction from Melbourne To Orlando and 72 miles by car following the FL 528 Toll E path. Driving directions from Melbourne to Orlando.

The Orlando Florida Life Style

Contrary to what some may believe, the epicenter is not downtown Orlando. Mickey and Minnie are home to the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” but it also houses well-planned neighborhoods with eclectic houses and leafy side streets full of small businesses, from local markets to creative restaurants and funky bars.

Check out the neighborhoods in Thornton Park, College Park, and Winter Garden. Temps rarely drop below 60 degrees, Orlando residents will be kicked back into the pool with a cold drink in hand as northerners are shoveling snow and scratching their windshields. During the summer months, there is a rainy season where you can anticipate a brief thunderous downpour each afternoon. Central Florida is actually the US capital of lightning.

In a converted church, where bakers, butchers, brewers, and coffee roasters sell their products next to local farmers selling fresh produce, the East End Market is a very cool culinary center. In The Mills 50 Neighborhood, which is also home to the city’s largest Vietnamese population and thus the finest, most authentic Vietnamese cuisine, Orlando’s most diverse set of restaurants can be found.

The Orlando Museum of Art ⁷ (known as one of the best museums in the South), the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, the Orlando Repertory Theatre, the Orlando Science Center ⁸, and the Mennello Museum of American Art. Loch Haven Park is full of cultural attractions. In November 2014, The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts made its debut downtown with three theaters and an outdoor plaza and entertainment venue.