Orlando Vacation Travel Guide

Orlando, FL City Guide

The city of Orlando is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 185,951 (metropolitan area 1,644,561). A 2003 local population count gave the city had a total population of 199,336 (metropolitan area nearly 1.8 million).

The city is best known for the tourist attractions in the area, particularly the nearby Walt Disney World, which is in the Reedy Creek Improvement District. Other area attractions include SeaWorld and the Universal Orlando Resort, the latter of which is in Orlando proper.

Orlando FL, History

Some historians date Orlando's name to around 1836 when a soldier named Orlando Reeves allegedly died in the area, during the war against the Seminole Indian tribe.

The city was incorporated in 1872. During World War II, a number of Army personnel were stationed at the Pine Castle AAF, now the site of Orlando International Airport. Some of these servicemen stayed in Orlando to settle and raise families. In 1956 the aerospace/defense company Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) established a plant in Orlando.

In addition, Orlando is close enough to Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air 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, an important cruise ship terminal.

The most critical event for Orlando's economy occurred in 1965 when Walt Disney announced the plans for Walt Disney World. The famous theme park 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. Another important event was the hurricane season of 2004, when Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne battered the Orlando area, causing widespread damage and flooding.

Orlando FL, Geography

Orlando is located at 28°32'1" North, 81°22'33" West (28.533513, -81.375789)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 261.5 km² (100.9 mi²). 242.2 km² (93.5 mi²) of it is land and 19.3 km² (7.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 7.39% water.

Orlando FL, Neighborhoods

Tampa, FL (62 Miles)
Miami, FL (285 Miles)

Orlando FL, Metropolitan Area

The Orlando area like most metropolitan areas in Florida, the majority of the population lives outside the city proper.

Orlando FL, Transportation

Orlando FL, Airports
Orlando is served primarily by Orlando International Airport, though nearby Orlando Sanford International Airport also serves the area. Orlando Executive Airport is used for charter flights.

Orlando FL, Roads

Its major freeway is Interstate 4, which crosses Florida's Turnpike southwest of Downtown Orlando. It is also served by the toll roads of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, particularly the East-West Expressway (SR 408), which crosses I-4 downtown.

Orlando FL, Rail

The Orlando area is served by one through railroad, CSX's A line (formerly the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad's main line), and some spurs, mostly operated by the Florida Central Railroad. Amtrak passenger service runs along the CSX A line. See also a map of these railroads.

The following railroad stations have existed in Orlando:

Amtrak Orlando station (originally built by ACL to replace Church Street Station, the only one still in use)
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Orlando station (Church Street Station)
Seaboard Air Line Railroad Orlando station (Central Avenue Station)
Eight Oaks (ACL station)
Formosa (ACL station)
Livingston (SAL station)
Rowena (SAL station)

Orlando FL, Buses

Orlando is served by Lynx, which runs bus service in the tri-county area (Osceola-Orange-Seminole).

Orlando Universities and Colleges

Click Here to a list of Orlando Universities and Colleges

Orlando FL, Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 185,951 people, 80,883 households, and 42,382 families residing in the city. The population density is 767.9/km² (1,988.9/mi²). There are 88,486 housing units at an average density of 365.4/km² (946.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 61.10% White, 26.85% African American, 2.68% Asian, 0.34% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.41% from other races, and 3.54% from two or more races. 17.48% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 80,883 households out of which 24.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% are married couples living together, 15.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% are non-families. 35.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.25 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the city the population is spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $35,732, and the median income for a family is $40,648. Males have a median income of $30,866 versus $25,267 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,216. 15.9% of the population and 13.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 27.0% of those under the age of 18 and 12.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Orlando FL, Attractions:

* Walt Disney World

• Walt Disney World Tickets
• Disney Magic Kingdom
• Disney Epcot Center
• Disney MGM Studios
• Disney Animal Kingdom

* Universal Studios

• Universal Studios Tickets
• Universal Studios
• Island of Adventure

* Church Street Station


Orlando FL, Sports Teams

• Orlando Magic (NBA) (TD Waterhouse Centre)
• Orlando Predators (AFL) (TD Waterhouse Centre)

Orlando FL, Trivial Facts

ZIP codes for Orlando are in the range from 32801 to 32899. Orlando is considered to be in a subtropical climate zone, with below-freezing temperatures uncommon and snow very rare.

Among the famous people connected to Orlando are John Young, Wesley Snipes and Johnny Damon, all of whom graduated from high schools in the area.