Orlando, Florida

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

City of Orlando
Flag Seal
Nickname: The City Beautiful, O-Town, 407
Location in Orange County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 28°32′01″N 81°22′6.72″W / 28.53361, -81.3685333
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Orange
Government
- Mayor	Buddy Dyer (D)
Area
- City	101.0 sq mi (261.5 km²)
- Land	93.5 sq mi (242.2 km²)
- Water	7.5 sq mi (19.3 km²)
Elevation	98 ft (34 m)
Population (2006)
- City	220,186
- Density	1,988.9/sq mi (797.9/km²)
- Metro	2,633,282
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Area code(s)	321, 407
FIPS code	12-53000[1]
GNIS feature ID	0288240[2]
Website: http://www.cityoforlando.net/

The city of Orlando is a major city in central Florida, USA and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida. A 2006 U.S. Census population estimate gave the city population as 220,186 [2], making it the sixth largest city in Florida. It is also the principal city of Greater Orlando. The Orlando-Kissimmee MSA is Florida's third-largest metropolitan area, behind Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater. Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida, which is the second largest university in Florida in student enrollment and has the 6th largest enrollment in the nation.

The city is best known for the many tourist attractions in the area, in particular the nearby Walt Disney World Resort, which is located in Lake Buena Vista about 20 miles (32 km) south of Orlando city limits via Interstate 4. Other notable area attractions include SeaWorld and Universal Orlando Resort. The region sees an estimated 52 million tourists a year. Orlando has the second largest number of hotel rooms in the country (after Las Vegas, Nevada), and is one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions with the Orange County Convention Center, the country's second largest in square footage. It is also known for its wide array of golf courses, with numerous courses available for any level of golfer. Despite being several miles away from the main tourist attractions, downtown Orlando is undergoing major redevelopment with a number of residential and commercial towers.

Its symbol is the fountain of Lake Eola. The current mayor is Buddy Dyer.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Topography 2.2 Climate 3 Cityscape 3.1 Neighborhoods 3.2 Metropolitan Statistical Area 3.2.1 Suburbs 4 Demographics 4.1 Languages 5 Crime 6 Culture 6.1 Entertainment and performing arts 6.2 Tourism 6.3 Shopping malls 6.4 Museums 6.5 Sports 6.6 Media 6.6.1 Newspapers 6.6.2 Radio 6.6.3 Television 6.6.4 Magazines 6.6.5 Internet Radio 7 Economy 8 Education 8.1 Area institutions of higher education 8.1.1 State University 8.1.2 Community Colleges 8.1.3 Private Universities, Colleges, and Others 9 Infrastructure 9.1 Airports 9.2 Roads 9.2.1 Major Highways 9.2.2 Rush Hours 9.3 Rail 9.4 Buses 9.5 Light rail 9.6 Commuter rail 10 Sister cities 11 Foreign consulates 12 See also 13 References 14 External links

[edit] History

Some historians date Orlando's name to around 1837 when a soldier named Orlando Reeves allegedly died in the area, during the war against the Seminole Indian tribe. It seems, however, that Orlando Reeves (sometimes Rees) operated a sugar mill and plantation about 30 miles (50 km) to the north at Spring Garden in Volusia County, and pioneer settlers simply found his name carved into a tree and assumed it was a marker for his grave site. They then referred to the area as "Orlando's grave" and later simply "Orlando."

During the Second Seminole War, the U.S. Army established an outpost at Fort Gatlin, a few miles south of the modern downtown, in 1838. But it was quickly abandoned when the war came to an end.

Prior to being known as its current name, Orlando was known as Jernigan, after the first permanent settler, cattleman Aaron Jernigan, who acquired land along Lake Holden by the terms of the Armed Occupation Act of 1842. But most pioneers did not arrive until after the Third Seminole War in the 1850s. Most of the early residents made their living by cattle racing.

Orlando remained a rural backwater during the American Civil War, and suffered greatly during the Union blockade. The Reconstruction Era brought a population explosion, which led to the city's incorporation in 1875.

The period from 1875 to 1895 is remembered as Orlando's "Gilded Era," when it became the hub of Florida's citrus industry. But a great freeze in 1894-1895 forced many owners to give up their independent groves, thus consolidating holdings in the hands of a few "citrus barons" which shifted operations south, primarily around Lake Wales in Polk County.

There are a couple of notable homesteaders in the area. First is the Curry family. On their property in east Orlando there was the Econlockhatchee River and every time it had to be crossed the settlers would "ford the river". This lends its name to one of Orlando's roads, Curry Ford Rd. Also, just south of the airport in the Boggy Creek area was 150 acres of property homesteaded in the late 1800s by the Ward family. This property is still owned by the Ward family and can be seen from flights out of MCO southbound immediately on the south side of SR-417.

Orlando, as Florida's largest inland city, became a popular resort during the years between the Spanish-American War and World War I. The city was also host to several sanitariums, which serves as the basis for its hospitals today.

In the 1920s Orlando experienced a large housing boom. Land prices soared. During this period several neighborhoods in downtown were constructed leaving behind many bungalows. The boom ended when several hurricanes hit Florida in the late 20s and by the 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/defense company Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) established a plant in Orlando. 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 (SAC), operating B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, in addition to detachment operations by EC-121 and U-2 aircraft.

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. Because of its proximity to the "Space Coast" near the Kennedy Space Center, many high-tech companies have shifted to the Orlando area.

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 hurricanes) would not expose it to an increased threat like coastal locations. The famous 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 and Orlando is consistently ranked as one of the top vacation destinations in the world, now boasting more theme parks and entertainment attractions than anywhere else in the world.

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).

In addition to McCoy Air Force Base, Orlando also had a naval presence with the establishment of Naval Training Center Orlando on the former Orlando AFB in 1968. The newest of three Naval Training Centers in the United States providing training to recruits, as well as being a base for selected post basic training programs for enlisted personnel, NTC Orlando also conducted nuclear power training for commissioned officers and the base had a prominent presence in the area. In 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission ordered that NTC Orlando be closed, along with a companion installation, NTC San Diego. NTC Orlando continued in a diminished capacity until the base closed for good in 1999 with the last graduates of the base's Naval Nuclear Power School leaving in December of 1998. The former base has been developed into tracts for upscale housing called Baldwin Park. Other than Reserve and National Guard activities, the Orlando area's remaining military presence is the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division/Naval Support Activity Orlando, located just east of the city limits in the Central Florida Research Park.. The U.S. Army's Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI), the U.S. Marine Corps' Program Manager for Training Systems (PMTRASYS) and the U.S. Air Force's Agency for Modeling and Simulation are also collocated at that location.

The SunTrust Center, the tallest building in Orlando at 441 ft. (134 m), was built in 1988. The next tallest buildings are the Orange County Courthouse (1997, 416 ft (127 m)./127 m), the Bank of America Center (Formerly Barnett Plaza, 1988, 409 ft (125 m)./123 m), Solaire at the Plaza (2006, 359 ft (109 m)./109 m) and the Orlando International Airport ATC Tower (2002, 346 ft (105 m)./105 m). The VUE at Lake Eola, currently under construction, will become the second-tallest building in Orlando upon completion at 426 ft. (130 m) tall, but with 35 stories it will have more stories than the SunTrust Center. ([3][4]

The SeaWorld SkyTower, at 400 ft. (122 m) tall, is the tallest tower in Orange County outside Orlando proper. There are also several tall transmission towers in Orange County, the tallest of which is the WFTV transmission tower in Christmas at 1,617 ft. (491.6 m) tall.

In the hurricane season of 2004, Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jeanne battered the Orlando area, causing widespread damage and flooding and impeding tourism to the area.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Topography

Orlando is located at 28°32′1″N, 81°22′33″W (28.533513, -81.375789).^[3] 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 (7.39%) is water. Orlando is, on average, 106 feet (32 m) above sea level.

[edit] Climate

Orlando has a warm and humid subtropical climate, and there are two major seasons each year. One of those seasons is hot and rainy, lasting from May until October (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season). The other is a cooler season (November through March) that brings more moderate temperatures and less frequent rainfall. The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation and its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer, and much of its weather is affected by the movement of the Gulf Stream.

During the height of Orlando's very humid summer season, temperatures rarely fall below 70 °F (21 °C), and daytime highs average in the 90s (32-37 °C). Although the city rarely records temperatures over 100 °F (38 °C), extreme humidity often pushes the heat index to over 110 °F (45 °C). The city's highest recorded temperature is 102 °F (39 °C), set in 1998. 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, and they often bring high wind, damaging hail, heavy rainfall (sometimes several inches per hour), and violent lightning.

During the winter season, humidity is lower and temperatures are more moderate, and can fluctuate more readily. Average nighttime lows in January are around 50 °F (10 °C), and average daytime highs are about 72 °F (22 °C). Temperatures rarely reach below 32 °F (0 °C), though the city can drop below freezing once or twice a year. Because the winter season is dry and most freezing temperatures occur after cold fronts (and their accompanying precipitation) have passed, Orlando experiences no real snowfall. Although no measurable amount of snow has ever fallen (though areas just west recorded up to 2" in 1977), trace amounts were officially observed on December 23, 1989, and trace flurries of ocean effect snow were also reported in nearby coastal Brevard County on January 24, 2003. [5]

The average annual rainfall in Orlando is 50.1 in. (128 cm), most of it occurring in the period from June to September. The months of December through May are Orlando's driest season. During this period (especially in its later months), there is often a wildfire hazard. During some years, fires have been severe. In 1998, an El Niño condition caused an usually wet January and February, followed by drought throughout the spring and early summer, causing a record wildfire season that created Greater Orlando's first instances of unhealthy air quality alerts.

Orlando has a considerable hurricane risk, although it is not as high as it is 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,^[4] hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. Storm surges are not a concern since the region is 100 ft (30 m) above 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.

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C) (year)	87 (31) (1991)	90 (32) (1962)	92 (33) (1994)	96 (36) (1968)	100 (38) (1962)	100 (38) (1998)	102 (39) (1998)	100 (38) (1980)	98 (37) (1988)	95 (35) (1986)	89 (32) (1992)	90 (32) (1978)	102 (39) (1998)
Average high °F (°C)	72 (22)	73 (22)	77 (25)	83 (28)	88 (31)	91 (32)	92 (33)	92 (33)	89 (31)	84 (28)	77 (25)	73 (22)	83 (28)
Average low °F (°C)	50 (10)	51 (10)	55 (12)	61 (16)	67 (19)	71 (21)	73 (22)	73 (22)	72 (22)	65 (18)	56 (13)	51 (10)	62 (16)
Record low °F (°C) (year)	19 (-7) (1985)	26 (-3) (1996)	25 (-4) (1980)	38 (4) (1987)	48 (9) (1992)	60 (16) (1984)	64 (18) (1981)	64 (18) (1957)	56 (13) (1956)	43 (6) (1957)	29 (-2) (1950)	20 (-7) (1983)	19 (-7) (1985)
Average rainfall in. (cm)	2.1 (5)	3.1 (7)	3.5 (8)	2.6 (6)	3.0 (7)	6.5 (16)	8.1 (20)	7.2 (18)	6.8 (17)	3.9 (9)	1.7 (4)	2.1 (5)	50.6 (128)
Record rainfall in. (cm)	6.4 (16)	6.8 (17)	10.5 (26)	6.2 (15)	8.6 (21)	18.3 (46)	19.6 (49)	16.1 (40)	12.2 (30)	14.1 (36)	6.4 (16)	4.7 (11)	68.7 (174)
Source: Weatherbase. Temperature color representation based on Weather Underground.

NOTE: The record high of 102 °F (39 °C) was recorded at Orlando International Airport, and is available from AccuWeather.com. (historical data from July is only visible in July and August unless you buy into their premium services) WeatherBase only uses historical data recorded at Orlando Executive Airport. Both airports have official National Weather Service recording stations.

[edit] Cityscape

[edit] Neighborhoods

The city of Orlando has many neighborhoods in the city limits,^[5] some of which are:

Airport North Audubon Park Baldwin Park Callahan Central Business District College Park Colonialtown North Colonialtown South Conway

Coytown Crescent Park Delaney Park Florida Center Florida Center North Johnson Village Lake Cherokee Historic District Lake Davis/Greenwood Lake Eola Heights Lake Formosa

Lake Nona Lake Richmond Metro West Millennia Park Central Park Lake/Highland Parramore Palomar Randall Park Rock Lake Rosemont

Richmond Heights Roosevelt Park Thornton Park Ventura Wadeview Park Washington Shores

[edit] Metropolitan Statistical Area

Orlando is the hub city of the Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, colloquially known as "Greater Orlando" or "Metro Orlando". The area encompasses four counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake), and is currently the 27th-largest metro area in the United States with a 2006 Census-estimated population of 1,984,855.

When Combined Statistical Areas were instituted in 2000, Orlando was initially joined together 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. [6] This new larger CSA carries a total population (as of 2006) of 2,633,282 [7], and carries three of the 25 fastest-growing counties in the nation--Flagler ranks 1st; Osceola, 17th; and Lake, 23rd.[8]

The metro area is one of the fastest-growing areas in the nation, and the surrounding counties, such as Polk, Brevard and Marion, are also seeing high growth rates.

[edit] Suburbs

Northwest: Apopka, Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares, Leesburg, The Villages	North: Maitland, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Deltona, Longwood, Bunnell, Lake Mary	Northeast: Casselberry, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Palm Coast
West: Ocoee, Winter Garden, Gotha, Windermere, Clermont, Oakland, Bushnell	ORLANDO	East: Bithlo, Union Park, Wedgefield, Eastwood
Southwest: Lake Buena Vista, Celebration, Citrus Ridge , Doctor Phillips	South: Edgewood, Belle Isle, Kissimmee, Poinciana, Meadow Woods	Southeast: Saint Cloud, Harmony, Holopaw, Yeehaw Junction

[edit] Demographics

Year	Population
1890	2,856
1900	2,481
1910	3,894
1920	9,282
1930	27,330
1940	36,736
1950	52,367
1960	86,135
1970	99,006
1980	128,291
1990	164,693
2000	185,951
2006	220,186

As of the census^[6] of 2000, there were 185,951 people, 80,883 households, and 42,382 families residing in the city. The population density was 767.9/km² (1,988.9/mi²). There were 188,486 housing units at an average density of 365.4/km² (946.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 61.10% White, 26.70% African American, 1.43% Asian, 0.34% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 5.41% from other races, and 2.54% from two or more races. 17.79% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. Non-Hispanic Whites made up 50.8% of the population.^[7]

The city has large Puerto Rican, Colombian, Venezuelan, Haitian, French, Brazilian, Canadian, German, Arab, Russian, Indian, and Vietnamese communities (among others), as well as a growing number of British (mostly English) residents.

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

In the city the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,732, and the median income for a family was $40,648. Males had a median income of $30,866 versus $25,267 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,216. About 13.3% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Orlando is also home to one of the nation's highest population percentage of GLBT people. According to a study by UCLA, 7.7% of Orlando's population is gay, lesbian, or bisexual and with 5.7% of the entire metropolitan population, it ranks 9th in the nation.^[8]

[edit] Languages

As of 2000, 75.43% of all residents spoke English as their first language, while 16.60% spoke Spanish language, 1.93% spoke Haitian Creole, 1.33% spoke French, and 0.99% of the population spoke Portuguese as their mother language.^[9]

[edit] Crime

In 2006, based on the Department of Justice's FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division, Orlando reported 4,300 violent crimes including 49 murders,^[10] a record number since 36 in 1982. Crime in Orlando has been up 329% since 2006. Based on the Morgan Quitno Press 2006 national crime rankings, Orlando ranked #1 in Florida and #25 in the United states for overall standings.^[11] As of Nov 19, 2007, Orlando ranked most dangerous city in Florida and 11th nationwide, 14 rankings up from 2006.^[12]

[edit] Culture

Like Florida cities Miami and Tampa, Orlando has a large and increasing number of Latino residents living in the city. Orlando is home to one of the nation's largest and most rapidly growing Puerto Rican communities (particularly its metropolitan area). This is reflected by the abundance of mainly Puerto Rican-themed restaurants and radio stations. Spanish-language music, such as Reggaeton and Salsa, are common on Orlando radio stations. The Orlando Magic basketball team is the only team in the NBA to have a Latin Night, which is geared towards the Hispanic population in the area. Throughout the city, many Puerto Rican flags can be found on or near buildings, including car dealerships. The city's local newspaper, The Orlando Sentinel, publishes a weekly all-Spanish newspaper called El Sentinel. The Orlando-Central Florida area is home to the most affluent Puerto Rican families in the United States, followed by Los Angeles and Texas. Many Puerto Ricans have relocated to Central Florida, mainly to the Orlando-Kissimmee area. The short air travel distance from Orlando to Puerto Rico, similar climate and job opportunities have attracted many Puerto Ricans to choose Orlando-Kissimmee as their number one immigration destination. Orlando also has many residents of Cuban descent, largely refugees or their children from the Cuban Revolution.

Orlando has an even larger African-American population. The city is located within six miles (10 km) of the suburb Eatonville, Florida, the first all-black town to be incorporated in the United States.

A thriving Vietnamese quarter called "Little Vietnam" or "Little Saigon" exists in the Colonialtown district of Orlando.^[13] The neighborhood has become a landmark in the city of Orlando and consist of a countless, and always growing, number of restaurants, groceries, and merchants selling music, videos, collectibles, etc from across Asia. The heart of the district is the intersection of East Colonial Drive/HWY50 and Mills Ave, also known as the "Vi-Mi" district. The Orlando Vietnamese community has its roots in war refugees seeking a new life in America after the fall of Saigon. Notable pro-democracy activists, such as Thuong Nguyen Cuc Foshee, who was just recently released from prison in Vietnam, call Orlando their home. Several local and statewide media groups serve the Orlando Vietnamese and Asian communities, notably the online and in-print Asia Trend Magazine, and Saigon Moi magazine.

Orlando is also becoming popular with Russian immigrants seeking careers or relocating their families to warmer climates. The growth rate of Russians in Central Florida is second only to the rising Hispanic population. The Russian community, made up of several countries of the former Soviet Union, has the Russian language as their common bond. Community and cultural groups are growing in popularity as is the number of Russian-American marriages.

[edit] Entertainment and performing arts

The hip hop music scene, metal scene, rock music scene, Reggaeton and Latino scene, are all active within the city and is largely home to the Florida Breakbeat movement.

Orlando has also been called Hollywood East because of numerous cinematic enterprises in the area.^[14] Until recently, Walt Disney Feature Animation operated a studio out of Disney/MGM Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort. Feature Animation-Florida was primarily responsible for the films Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and the early stages of Brother Bear and contributed on various other projects. Nickelodeon Studios, which through the 90s produced hundreds of hours of GAK-filled game shows targeted at children, no longer operates out of Universal Studios Florida. The Florida Film Festival in nearby Maitland is one of the most respected regional film festivals in the country and attracts budding filmmakers from around the world. In addition, the implosion of Orlando's previous City Hall was filmed for the movie Lethal Weapon 3. Orlando's indie film scene has been picking back up 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 amount of films being produced in Orlando and the rest of the state. Film production news is documented on Green Room Orlando.

The Orlando Metropolitan Area is also home to a substantial theatre population. Several professional and semi-professional houses and many community theaters dot the area including Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, Orlando Repertory Theatre (Central Florida's only Professional Theatre for Young Audiences), Orlando Theatre Project, Starlight Dinner Theatre, Mad Cow Theatre, Theatre Downtown, The Osceola Center for the Arts, Winter Park Playhouse, Theatre Winter Haven, IceHouse Theatre, and Seaside Music Theatre. Orlando also hosts the Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival every summer. Disney also a cast theater company known as S.T.A.G.E. as well as Encore, a cast choir and orchestra whose annual charity concerts have raised thousands of dollars. In addition, the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center brings national tours through town on a regular basis. Each spring, local theaters and downtown venues play host to the Orlando International Fringe Festival, which draws touring companies from all around the world as well as readings and fully staged productions of new and unknown plays by local artists. Also in the spring, Darden Restaurants sponsors a Festival of New Plays, hosted by Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival.

Orlando's Culture Coast consists of Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach and includes many cultural attractions including the Museum of Arts and Sciences, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Southeast Museum of Photography, Ormond Beach Art Museum, plus numerous galleries and shops located in the quaint downtown districts of Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach and New Smyrna Beach. This area really is like Orlando's cultural district on the beach.

[edit] Tourism

See also List of amusement parks in Greater Orlando

For tourist information, see Wikitravel:Orlando.

The Orlando area is home to a wide variety of tourist attractions, including the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld Orlando. 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 Downtown Disney. SeaWorld Orlando is a large adventure park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters and water park. Universal Orlando, like Walt Disney World, is a multi-faceted resort comprising Universal Studios, CityWalk, and the Islands of Adventure theme park. Orlando has also become one of the fastest growing retail markets in the USA with at least five major upscale department stores opening last year alone and more than 50,000,000 square feet (4,650,000 m²) of shopping space in Central Florida. [9]

[edit] Shopping malls

• The Florida Mall is the largest mall in Orlando, one of the largest single-story malls in the USA at over 1,849,000 ft² with over 250 stores, seven anchor department stores, and the Florida Mall Hotel & Conference Center tower.
• The Mall at Millenia is a contemporary two-level 1.2 million square-foot upscale shopping mall, including the world-famous department stores of Bloomingdale's, Macy's and Neiman Marcus. The mall is also home to Blue Martini, a popular trendy lounge and night club. In addition, IKEA Orlando opened adjacent to the mall on November 14, 2007.
• Orlando Fashion Square Mall is the nearest indoor shopping mall to Downtown Orlando. The mall features 4 anchor department stores and a 14-screen Premiere Cinema theater.
• Festival Bay Mall on International Drive is home to stores, a skate park, and a theater. The Ron Jon Surf Park is currently under construction.
• Pointe Orlando is a 2-story outdoor mall on International Drive that features many shops, restaurants, and nightlife including a Regal Cinemas and IMAX experience.
• Prime Outlets Mall is an indoor and outdoor outlet mall on International Drive. The mall has recently been re-constructed and caters primarily to tourists.
• Orlando Premium Outlets is an outdoor shopping outlet mall that hosts many designer stores.
• Waterford Lakes Town Center is an outdoor mall on Orlando's east side located at Alafaya Trail, Lake Underhill Road and The East-West Expressway (State Road 408) Waterford Lakes has many stores and restaurants and features a 20-screen movie theater. The mall is popular with students who attend the University of Central Florida.

[edit] Museums

• The Orlando Museum of Art is Orlando's largest modern art museum. Located in Loch Haven Park, the museum has ongoing exhibitions of American portraits and landscapes, American impressionist works, and art of the ancient Americas. In 2003, the museum hosted the world-renowned full exhibition of the famous glass sculptor, Dale Chihuly.
• Orlando Science Center, is a 207,000 square foot (19,000 m²) hands-on learning center with hundreds of interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. Images surround visitors on the giant screen of the Dr. Phillips CineDome. Other attractions include the Body Zone, teaching health and fitness, as well as an observatory. The center has the largest refracting telescope in Florida. In 2007 the Orlando Science Center hosted the nationally-renowned exhibit "Our Body, The Universe Within" featuring real human corpses.
• The Morse Museum of American Art, located in nearby Winter Park, houses the world's "most comprehensive" collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, among its permanent exhibits. It includes Tiffany art glass, jewelry, pottery, and the chapel interior designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. There is also an exhibit on the Tiffany home, and American paintings from the 19th century. The museum was founded in 1942.
• The Orange County Regional History Center Features exhibits and artifacts from the earliest days of the region to the modern day. Includes information on everything from the time of the Seminole Indians to the founding of the city to the Civil Rights era to the Disney period to today.
• Mennello Museum of American Art features a variety of American Art exhibits, mostly from the 20th century. The museum is located in Loch Haven Park.
• Cornell Fine Arts Museum, situated on the campus of Rollins College, located in nearby Winter Park, features significant loans, recent acquisitions, and items from the Cornell's renowned permanent collection. Admission is free.
• Harry P. Leu Gardens, which is an inner city oasis covering 50 acres (20,000 m²) and features colorful annuals, palms, an orchid house, a floral clock and a butterfly garden.

• Arboretum of the University of Central Florida is an arboretum and botanical garden located in the heart of the University of Central Florida main campus in East Orlando.
• The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida is a non-profit museum and education center dedictated to the Holocaust during World War II.

Other Attractions in the Greater Orlando area include:

• Blue Spring State Park, which is the winter home of large numbers of Florida manatees that come upstream from the St. Johns River to bask in the warm 72 °F (22 °C) waters of the springs. Canoeing, swimming and fishing are popular activities at Blue Springs.
• Blue Man Group at the Sharp Aquos Theatre, located in Universal Citywalk, brings the music, humor, and excitement of the Blue Man Group to Orlando in this new 1,015 seat venue.
• Bok Tower, located in Lake Wales, FL.
• Central Florida Zoological Park, located in Sanford, FL on Lake Monroe. This 100 acre (400,000 m²) zoo is home to a butterfly garden, herpetarium, and numerous tropical animals. The zoo originally started as a collection in the Sanford Fire Department, but grew into a regional zoo in 1975. It is currently in the planning stages of expansion and renaming the facility to "Zoo Orlando at Sanford".
• Church Street Station, a multi-level shopping mall and entertainment center that once featured an abundance of specialty shops, restaurants, nightclubs, and bars. Purchased in the late 1990s by TransContinental Talent owner Lou Pearlman, it is now virtually defunct, as the area suffered in post-9/11 tourist-industry slump. The area is being redeveloped with residential condominiums. Now closed due to bankruptcy and is due to be bought over.
• Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba, in Downtown Disney West Side, features its renowned blend of acrobatics and special effects with more than 70 artists from around the globe performing in a custom-designed, 1,671-seat theater.
• Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, an amusement park opened in 1936. This park features beautiful botanical gardens, 40 rides, 5 roller coasters and a water park. But it is most famous for it lovely southern belles and world-renowned Ski Shows. Located in Winter Haven, FL.
• Discovery Cove, a resort that is part of the SeaWorld Adventure Park complex. Some attraction features are tropical fish in a coral reef, snorkeling with stingrays, and interacting with birds in an aviary, as well as swimming and playing with dolphins during a half-hour session.
• Gatorland houses thousands of alligators and crocodiles. A few of Gatorland's residents have made wrangling appearances in movies, television shows and commercial spots. The 54 year old park combines a petting zoo, bird sanctuary, mini-water park, eco-tour and outdoor entertainment, including daily alligator wrestling.
• Hard Rock Café is the Orlando location of the famed restaurant chain with the typical HRC music memorabilia. There is also Hard Rock Live, a 3,000-capacity live music venue, and the Hard Rock Hotel, a resort hotel with a California-style restaurant called "The Kitchen". It is one of eight worldwide, and one of three in Florida. (Miami and Tampa are the other two.)
• The Holy Land Experience is a biblical themepark and museum complex.
• International Trolley and Train Museum features 14 model railroad trains with sound and lighting traveling through an indoor garden with 12 foot (4 m) high mountains, waterfalls, and more than 30 trestles and tunnels. Also on display are toy trains from the 1920s to the present. Visitors can catch a ride in a California Victorian-style half open/half closed trolley or the 5/8 replica of an 1880 locomotive (a Mason Bogey) with its passenger cars.
• Kennedy Space Center is 45 minutes from Orlando and south of Daytona Beach. Visitors can tour launch areas, see giant rockets, "train" in spaceflight simulators, and much more. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is open every day except Christmas Day and certain launch days. Apart from the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Space Center bus tours run every 15 minutes with stops at an observation gantry and the Apollo / Saturn V Center. Other guided tours include NASA Up Close, Cape Canaveral: Then and Now, and Lunch With An Astronaut. Combo tickets offer maximum access admission, plus one guided tour.
• The Kerouac House, in the College Park neighborhood of Orlando, is where writer Jack Kerouac lived during the time his novel On the Road was published and released, making him a national sensation and Beat Generation icon. He lived in the house with his mother Gabrielle from July 1957 to the spring of 1958, and wrote his three-act play, The Beat Generation, a 51-chorus poem called Orlanda Blues, and the novel The Dharma Bums during his time there. In 1997, the Kerouac Project of Orlando formed, and restored the Kerouac house. It is now a haven for aspiring writers who can live in the house as they create their own work.
• The World's Largest McDonald's PlayPlace, located on the corner of Sand Lake Road and International Drive, looks like a fry box from the exterior. The interior features an arcade with 60+ games with prize redemption, a 1950s room, a waterfall and a gift shop. The Bistro Gourmet at McDonald's features chef-prepared food, such as panini and deli sandwiches, pasta, soup, desserts, and hand-dipped ice cream, plus the standard McDonald's menu.
• Mary, Queen of the Universe Shrine
• Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, in Kissimmee. Six brave knights on horseback compete in tournament games, jousting, and sword fighting while guests dine on a medieval-style banquet.
• Old Town, in Kissimmee, features eight restaurants, fifteen amusement park rides and 75 shops along its brick-lined streets. Classic car shows every Friday and Saturday feature hundreds of vintage automobiles. Admission and parking are free.
• The Ripley's Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium is located in a building artfully constructed to appear as if it were collapsing to one side, which may be a sly reference to central Florida's infamous sinkholes. Visitors can explore bizarre artifacts, strange collections, weird art/hobbies and interactive exhibits in sixteen odd galleries. It is one of 27 Ripley museums in ten countries.
• Wonder Works A funhouse located on International Drive. Can be easily identified as an upside down white building.
• Wekiwa Springs State Park, which comprises around 7,000 acres (28 km²) of wild Florida. The springs pump out 42 million gallons of crystal clear water a day. Popular activities at the park include canoeing, swimming, picnicking and fishing.
• World of Orchids, featuring thousands of blooms in an enclosed tropical rainforest. World of Orchids is a working greenhouse shipping orchids and other plants nationwide. A greenhouse covers nearly an acre (4,000 m²), and in this controlled climate of warm, humid air some 1,000 orchids are displayed in a natural jungle setting, with streams, waterfalls, and squawking parrots. World of Orchids also has a 1,000 foot (300 m) long boardwalk meandering off into nearby wetlands. Admission is free.
• Wet 'n Wild - Orlando A large waterpark located just minutes from Universal Studios on International Drive
• Orlando Welcome Center Tourist Information Center for Orlando Florida theme parks and attractions. Theme park information and discount tickets.

[edit] Sports

Orlando is home to the Orlando Magic, an NBA pro basketball franchise that plays at Amway Arena in downtown Orlando. Led by Shaquille O'Neal, the Magic made it to the NBA Finals in 1995. Orlando's Amway Arena, opened in 1989 is already one of the oldest arenas in the NBA. It will be replaced around 2010 by the $480-million Orlando Events Center. Orlando also received an expansion franchise in the American Basketball Association for the 2006-07 season, the Orlando Aces.

In the 1990s, ice hockey became popular in Orlando, perhaps due to large influx of northerners to the city. On December 26, 1993, Orlando saw its first big league regular-season game in any sport when the Orlando Arena hosted a contest between the expansion Florida Panthers and the second-year Tampa Bay Lightning. The Orlando Solar Bears, of the now-defunct International Hockey League, were formed in 1995 and were very successful, making the playoffs in each of its six seasons and qualifying for Turner Cup Finals twice (losing both times) before finally taking the title in 2001. Unfortunately, that was the IHL's final season, and the Solar Bears folded. In 2002, the Atlantic Coast Hockey League was formed with Orlando hosting one of the charter franchises, the Orlando Seals, which won their Commissioner's Cup in 2003; this made Orlando the only Florida city with two hockey championships. The Seals moved to the World Hockey Association 2 in 2003, then the Southern Professional Hockey League in 2004. The City of Orlando revoked their lease for the present Amway Arena, however, forcing them to sit out the 2004-05 season. They moved to Kissimmee and became the Florida Seals in November 2004. The team resumed play in the 2005-2006 season, playing home games at the Silver Spurs Arena, making it to the President's Cup Finals before losing to Knoxville. Then on January 4, 2007, the Silver Spurs Arena abruptly booted the Seals due to unpaid rent, forcing the franchise to fold. There will be no pro hockey in Orlando in 2007-08.

The Citrus Bowl is the home of the Capital One Bowl (formerly the Florida Citrus Bowl) and the Champs Sports Bowl (formerly the Tangerine Bowl). It also hosts regular-season football games for Jones High School, as well as the annual Florida Classic played between the NCAA Division I-AA Football teams from Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University. The University of Central Florida (NCAA Division I-A) played regular season games at the Citrus Bowl through the 2006 season, until the construction of a new stadium on the UCF campus. The Orlando Renegades were a USFL team playing at the Citrus Bowl in 1985. They folded with the league in 1986. The Orlando Thunder were a charter team in the World League of American Football in 1991 and 1992. They lost the World Bowl to the Sacramento Surge in 1992. Like all other American teams, it was dropped in the World League reorganization of 1995. The Orlando Rage were a member of the XFL that played at the Citrus Bowl, and only played in 2001. That team has since been revived in the minor-league Southern States Football League (SSFL). The Citrus Bowl will host some of the games for the Florida team in the All American Football League beginning in 2008, hosting its inaugural tryouts on July 2-3, 2007.

In arena football, the Orlando Predators have been one of the Arena Football League's flagship franchises since entering the league in 1991. Playing at Amway Arena, the Predators have won seven divisional titles and two Arena Bowls, in 1998 and 2000.

The Citrus Bowl was also the home of the fictional NFL team, the Orlando Breakers, which was featured in the last two seasons of the television sitcom Coach. The team was a plot device to reflect the 1995 addition of the Jacksonville Jaguars to the real-life NFL.

In soccer, the Citrus Bowl hosted games for the FIFA World Cup '94 and the 1996 Summer Olympics. Orlando will gain an expansion franchise in the Major Indoor Soccer League, the Orlando Sharks, for the 2007-08 season. The Orlando Lions were a member of the third incarnation of the American Soccer League in the late 1980s/early 1990s. The Orlando Sundogs were a minor-league soccer team in the A-League that played in the Citrus Bowl, disbanding after their season in 1997. Presently, two lower-division soccer teams call Orlando home: the Premier Development League's (PDL) Central Florida Kraze, and Ajax Orlando. The Kraze won the PDL Championship in 2004, while Ajax (pronounced EYE-acks) is the only American subsidiary of global soccer power Ajax Amsterdam of the Dutch Eredivisie (professional soccer league).

Tinker Field, named for baseball hall-of-famer Joe Tinker, is a historic baseball stadium next to the Citrus Bowl, currently out of use. It was formerly the spring training home of the Minnesota Twins (and the Washington Nationals/Senators before them) and the AA Southern League affiliates of the Twins, Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In 2000, the Orlando Rays moved from Tinker Field to Cracker Jack Stadium at the Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. Despite having a beautiful new ballpark (which also serves as spring training home of the Atlanta Braves), the Rays drew poorly at Disney and moved to Montgomery, Alabama for the 2004. The stadium has been mostly empty ever since, although it did play host to first-round (Pool D) games in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Orlando is the largest metropolitan area in the United States without a pro baseball team.

Orlando is also the home to the NBA Pre-Draft camp, the MLB Draft, the MLB Winter Meetings, and the NFL Annual Meeting.

The University of Central Florida plays college sports at the highest level. The UCF football team, the Knights play in a new, on-campus stadium called Bright House Networks Stadium.

Since 2005, Orlando has hosted the PSP World Cup paintball tournament.

[edit] Media

[edit] Newspapers

• Orlando Sentinel
• Orlando Business Journal
• Orlando Weekly
• El Sentinel
• The Orlando Times
• Living Orlando
• El Nuevo Dia
• La Prensa
• The Central Florida Future
• The Pine Hills News
• Watermark

[edit] Radio

AM

• WFLF 540 AM, Fox News Radio - Talk radio††
• WDBO 580 AM, Talk radio†*
• WORL 660 AM, SRN - Talk radio
• WQTM 740 AM, Spanish music
• WEUS 810 AM, oldies
• WTLN 950 AM, Christian Radio
• WDYZ 990 AM, top 40 - Radio Disney†
• WHOO 1080 AM, ESPN Radio - Sports radio
• WAMT 1190 AM, ABC Radio (news) and Fox News Radio (talk shows) - Talk radio
• WRLZ 1270 AM, Spanish music
• WWFL 1340 AM, Adult contemporary music
• 1700 AM, Radio MCO (Orlando International Airport Information)

FM

• WPOZ, 88.3 FM, Union Park, Contemporary Christian†
• WMYZ, 88.7 FM, Clermont, Contemporary Christian†
• WKTO, 88.9 FM, Edgewater, Religious
• WLAZ, 89.1 FM, Kissimmee, Spanish
• WUCF, 89.9 FM, Orlando, Jazz†
• WLVE, 90.3 FM, Haines City, Religious
• WMFE, 90.7 FM, Orlando, Classical
• WKES, 91.1 FM, Lakeland, Religious
• WPRK, 91.5 FM, Winter Park, Variety
• WWKA, 92.3 FM, Orlando, Country
• WOGK, 93.7 FM, Ocala, Country
• WCFB, 94.5 FM, Daytona Beach, Urban Adult Contemporary††*
• WPYO, 95.3 FM, Maitland, Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio†
• WHOG, 95.7 FM, Ormond-by-the-Sea, Classic Rock
• WHTQ, 96.5 FM, Orlando, Classic Rock†
• W247AK, 97.3 FM, Deland, Religious
• WPCV, 97.5 FM, Winter Haven, Country
• WMMO, 98.9 FM, Orlando, Adult Hits†
• WRUM, 100.3 FM, Maitland, Caribbean††
• WJRR, 101.1 FM, Maitland, Alternative††
• WJHM, 101.9 FM, Daytona Beach, Mainstream Urban†
• WLOQ, 103.1 FM, Winter Park, Smooth Jazz
• WTKS, 104.1 FM, Maitland, Talk††
• WOMX, 105.1 FM, Orlando, Hot Adult Contemporary††
• WOCL, 105.9 FM, Deland, Classic Hits 60's,70's & 80's
• WXXL, 106.7 FM, Tavares, CHR†
• WA1A, 107.1 FM, Melbourne, CHR†
• WMGF, 107.7 FM, Mount Dora, Adult Contemporary†

• † = Available in HD Radio; all stations add a -1 (example 107.7-1) unless otherwise noted.
• †* = Equipped for HD Radio but not transmitting it currently.
• †† = Analog now but will be available in HD Radio pending antenna, transmitter, and/or facility construction.
• ††* = Analog due to transmitter tower and facility being destroyed by a tornado, will return to HD Radio once a permanent facility and tower are built.

[edit] Television

• WESH, analog channel 2, digital channel 11, NBC
• WKMG-TV, analog channel 6, digital channel 58, CBS
• WFTV, analog channel 9, digital channel 39, ABC
• WTMO-LP, analog channel 15, Telemundo
• WCEU, analog channel 15, digital channel 33, PBS
• WKCF, analog channel 18, digital channel 17, The CW
• WCJB-TV, analog channel 20, digital channel 16, ABC
• WMFE-TV, analog channel 24, digital channel 23, PBS
• WVEN-TV, analog channel 26, digital channel 49, Univision
• WRDQ, analog channel 27, digital channel 14, Independent
• WOFL, analog channel 35, digital channel 22, Fox
• WOTF-TV, analog channel 43, digital channel 20, Telefutura
• WLCB-TV, analog channel 45, digital channel 46, Independent
• WTGL-TV, analog channel 52, digital channel 53, TBN
• WOPX, analog channel 56, digital channel 48, i
• WRBW, analog channel 65, digital channel 41, My Network TV
• WBCC, analog channel 68, digital channel 30, PBS
• WACX, digital channel 40, Independent
• W21AU, analog channel 21, digital channel 21, AZTECA AMERICA CENTRAL FLORIDA
• WBCC, digital channel 68.2, University of Central Florida Television
• Central Florida News 13, Bright House Networks cable channel 13
• Orange TV, analog channel 9, Local Government (Orlando/Orange County)
• Vision TV, analog channel 98, Local Government (Orlando/Orange County)
• SGTV, analog channel 9, Local Government (Seminole County)

[edit] Magazines

• Orlando Magazine
• Orlando Leisure
• Orlando STYLE
• Ahora Orlando
• Orlando Weekly
• aXis Magazine
• Magic Magazine
• Orlando Arts Magazine
• Orlando Unleashed
• I Love Orlando

[edit] Internet Radio

• Orlando Sky Radio (orlandoskyradio.com)
• iOrlando Radio Network (iorlandoradio.com)

[edit] Economy

See also: List of Florida companies

A large part of the Orlando area economy is involved in the tourist industry. Over 48 million visitors came to the Orlando region in 2004. 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 (200,000 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.^[15]

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 the Central Florida area: KDF, General Dynamics, Harris, Westinghouse, Siemens, Veritas/Seagate, multiple USAF facilities, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), Delta Connection Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, GE, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS), Army Simulation Training and Instrumentation Command (STRICOM), AT&T, Boeing, CAE Systems Flight & Simulation Training, HP, Institute for Simulation and Training, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Systems. The Naval Training Center until a few years ago was one of the two places where nuclear engineers were trained for the US Navy. Now the land has been converted into the Baldwin Park development.

Another developing sector is the film, television, and electronic gaming industries, aided by the presence of Universal Studios, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Full Sail School, the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy, and other entertainment companies and schools. Numerous office complexes for large corporations have popped up along the Interstate 4 corridor north of Orlando, especially in Maitland, Lake Mary and Heathrow. The U.S. modeling, simulation, and training (MS&T) industry is centered around the Orlando region as well, with a particularly strong presence in the Central Florida Research Park adjacent to UCF.

Orlando is the home base of Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Red Lobster and Olive Garden and the largest operator of restaurants in the world by revenue. They are building a new world headquarters and central distribution facility on John Young Parkway.^{[citation needed]}

Nearby Maitland is the home of Tiburon, a division of the video game company Electronic Arts. Originally Tiburon Entertainment, it was acquired by EA in 1998 after years of partnership, particularly in the famous Madden NFL series and NCAA Football series of video games.

Orlando has two non-profit hospital systems: Orlando Regional Healthcare and Florida Hospital. ORH's Orlando Regional Medical Center is home to Central Florida's only Level I trauma center, and the adjacent Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies has the area's only Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. Florida Hospital's main campus is ranked as one of the best hospitals in the nation, and has a renowned brain attack facility. [10] Orlando's medical leadership will be further advanced with the completion of UCF's College of Medicine and a new VA Hospital, both of which will be located in a new medical district in the Lake Nona area of the city. [11]

There is a very low unemployment rate in Greater Orlando, 3.1% as of March 2007.^[16] The result is growth that has led to urban sprawl in the surrounding area and, in combination with the 2007 Subprime mortgage financial crisis, to the rising cost of home prices. Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 34% in one year, from an average of $182,000 in August 2004 to $245,000 in August 2005, and eventually to a record $255,000 in February 2007. They are tapering off, however, down to $241,900 in April 2007.^[17]

Notable companies and organizations that have their corporate headquarters or a major presence in the area:

AAA Adventist Health System AirTran Brighthouse Networks Burnham Institute Busch Entertainment Corporation Campus Crusade for Christ CNL Darden Restaurants, Inc. Electronic Arts Gaylord Entertainment Hard Rock Cafe Hewitt Associates LLC Hilton Grand Vacations Club Hughes Supply Incorporated JetBlue Harcourt Trade Publishers Intrawest Ligonier Ministries Lockheed-Martin Loews Hotels Luctor International

Marriott Vacation Club International NBC Universal Nemours Foundation Oracle Corporation Pioneers Planet Hollywood Pulte Homes Reed Elsevier Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Ryland Homes Scholastic Book Fairs Siemens AG Power Generation Starwood Vacation Ownership SunTrust Bank Symantec T.G. Lee Dairy The Golf Channel Tupperware Corp. The Walt Disney Company Westgate Resorts Wycliffe Bible Translators Wyndham Vacation Resorts (formerly part of Cendant)

[edit] Education

Public primary and secondary education is handled by Orange County Public Schools. Some of the larger private schools include The First Academy (of First Baptist Church, Orlando), Trinity Preparatory School, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Bishop Moore High School, Orlando Christian Academy, and Forest Lake Academy.

[edit] Area institutions of higher education

[edit] State University

• University of Central Florida

[edit] Community Colleges

• Valencia Community College
• Seminole Community College (in Sanford , Oviedo) and Altamonte Springs

[edit] Private Universities, Colleges, and Others

• Rollins College (in Winter Park)
• Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando (Dunnam) Campus
• Barry University's law school
• Brevard Community College (in nearby Brevard County)
• DeVry University, Orlando campus
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Everglades University, Orlando campus
• Florida A&M University's School of Law
• Florida Institute of Technology, Orlando campus
• Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
• Florida Metropolitan University, Orlando campus
• Full Sail Real World Education (in Winter Park)
• Herzing College, Orlando Campus (in Winter Park)[12]
• High Tech Institute - Orlando Campus[13]
• Hindu University of America
• International Academy of Design & Technology-Orlando
• Nova Southeastern University, Orlando campus
• Keiser University, Orlando Campus
• Orlando Culinary Academy, (a Le Cordon Bleu school)
• Paul Mitchell the School Orlando [Casselberry, Florida]
• Polytechnic University, Orlando Campus
• Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando campus
• Stetson University (in Deland)
• The DAVE School[14]
• University of Florida's College of Pharmacy (in Apopka, Florida)
• University of Phoenix, Orlando campus

[edit] Infrastructure

[edit] Airports

• The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is Orlando's primary airport, currently ranked as the busiest airport in the State of Florida. The airport was ranked by passengers as the #1 airport in the nation according to J.D. Power & Associates. The airport features 2 terminals with radiating air-side terminals, flyers are transported via elevated trams. The airport also houses an on-site Hyatt Regency hotel.
• The Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) located in Sanford, FL (far northern suburb) serves as a secondary airport, mainly for European discount carriers.
• The Orlando Executive Airport located near Downtown Orlando serves primarily executive jets, flight training schools, and general small-aircraft aviation.

[edit] Roads

[edit] Major Highways

• Interstate 4 is Orlando's primary major interstate highway, the interstate begins in Daytona Beach and travels across the mid-section of the state directly through Orlando ending in Tampa. As a key connector to Orlando's suburbs, downtown, area attractions, and both coasts; I-4 commonly experiences heavy traffic and congestion.
• East-West Expressway (Toll 408) is a major highway managed by the Orlando-Orange County 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 area. The highway also intersects with the Central Florida Greeneway (Toll 417) and the Florida Turnpike. The I-4/408 interchange is currently undergoing a major construction project that will create multiple fly-over bridges and connectors to ease heavy traffic flows. In addition, lane expansions, new toll plazas, and sound barriers are being added throughout the highway.
• 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 Orlando-Orange County 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. The highway is often praised for its green scenery and generally light traffic, however, recently the highway has seen a rapid rise in drivers during rush hours.
• Florida Turnpike is a major highway that connects northern Florida with Orlando and Miami. It is the gateway to Miami.
• Daniel Webster Western Beltway (Toll 429) serves as Orlando's western beltway. The highway serves as a new "back entrance" to Walt Disney World from Orlando's northwestern suburbs including Apopka.

[edit] Rush Hours

Orlando currently ranks 8th in the nation for traffic congestion, surpassing Miami and other major cities. According to a recent national study by the Texas Transportation Institute; the average Orlando Resident spends about 54 hours per year stuck in traffic. Heavy traffic is unpredictable, however, rush hours (peak traffic hours) are usually weekday mornings (after 7am) and afternoons (after 4pm). There are various traffic advisory resources available for commuters including dialing 511 (an automated traffic advisory system), listening to traffic reports on major radio stations, and reading electronic traffic advisory displays on the major highways and roadways.

[edit] Rail

The Orlando area is served by one through railroad, CSX Transportation'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. In 2005 Federal and state funding was granted for the establishment of the Central Florida Commuter Rail service to operate on the 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. The Federal and state funds would cover approximately 80% of the estimated $400 million cost for track modifications and construction of stations along the route. Pending approval by the county governments (Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola) involved and the set aside of matching funds, the line is projected to begin operations in 2009.

The following major 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 (now Church Street Station, a tourist attraction)
• Seaboard Air Line Railroad Orlando station (Central Avenue Station)

[edit] Buses

Orlando is served by LYNX, offering local transit service which covers the five-county area (Osceola-Orange-Seminole-Lake-Volusia). [15]

Additionally Greyhound Lines offers intercity bus service from Orlando to multiple locations across the country.

[edit] Light rail

Several attempts have been made to bring a light rail system to Orlando, but each one has met with failure due to a perceived lack of public interest and various conflicts over a potential route. Walt Disney World officials have been particularly adamant that a light rail line run from Orlando International Airport to the resort, drawing opposition from other vacation destinations who fear loss of business. Some local residents also oppose the idea of funding a system they believe to be only for the benefit of out-of-town tourists. This is in addition to the statewide debate over high speed rail, the various plans of which all center around Orlando. Another attempted route was a rail going between Tampa, Orlando, and Miami.

Many residents who have lived in Orlando for many years believe that a light rail system should be added to the city's growing economy to help cure the metropolitan area's difficult traffic problems. However several residents who move to the Central Florida area from other communities (specifically larger metropolitan cities) find it too industrializing for the city whose "quiet charm" would like to remain established. This creates a conflict between new residents and those who have been born and raised in the Orlando metropolitan area and other Central Florida cities.

[edit] Commuter rail

A commuter rail system, Central Florida Commuter Rail, is in active planning with a planned opening in 2009 along current CSX lines between DeLand and Poinciana, going through Downtown Orlando with stations at the LYNX Central Station and Church Street Station.^[18]

[edit] Sister cities

See also: List of sister cities in Florida

Orlando has eleven sister cities:^[19]

• Anaheim, California, United States
• Valladolid, Spain
• Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
• Guilin, People's Republic of China
• Monterrey, Mexico
• Orenburg, Russia
• Reykjanesbær, Iceland
• Marne La Vallée, France
• Tainan, Taiwan
• Urayasu, Japan
• Kiryat Motzkin, Israel
• Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Marne La Vallée, Anaheim, and Urayasu are connected to Orlando as homes of other Disney theme parks (Disneyland Resort Paris, Disneyland Resort, and Tokyo Disneyland, respectively).

[edit] Foreign consulates

Due to its importance as a major international tourist destination and a large foreign population, many foreign governments have opened up consulates in Orlando:

• France
• Haiti
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom

[edit] See also

• List of famous people from Orlando, Florida
• Mayors of Orlando
• Downtown Orlando

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Find more about Orlando, Florida on Wikipedia's sister projects:
	Dictionary definitions
	Textbooks
	Quotations
	Source texts
	Images and media
	News stories
	Learning resources

• City of Orlando Official Website
• Orlando Welcome Center Guide
• Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission
• Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Central Florida Memory is a unique digital collection where visitors can discover the history of Orlando and surrounding areas of Central Florida.
• Orlando travel guide from Wikitravel
• (Spanish) Tourism website of Orlando, Florida 100 pics, maps and videos

• Orlando, Florida is at coordinates 28°32′01″N 81°22′33″W / 28.533513, -81.375789 (Orlando, Florida)Coordinates: 28°32′01″N 81°22′33″W / 28.533513, -81.375789 (Orlando, Florida)

v • d • e Municipalities and communities of Orange County, Florida
County seat: Orlando
Cities	Apopka | Bay Lake | Belle Isle | Edgewood | Lake Buena Vista | Maitland | Ocoee | Orlando | Winter Garden | Winter Park
Towns	Eatonville | Oakland | Windermere
CDPs	Azalea Park | Bay Hill | Bithlo | Christmas | Citrus Ridge | Conway | Doctor Phillips | Fairview Shores | Goldenrod | Gotha | Holden Heights | Hunters Creek | Lake Butler | Lake Hart | Lockhart | Meadow Woods | Oak Ridge | Orlo Vista | Paradise Heights | Pine Castle | Pine Hills | Sky Lake | South Apopka | Southchase | Taft | Tangelo Park | Tangerine | Tildenville | Union Park | Wedgefield | Williamsburg | Zellwood
Communities	Plymouth | Reedy Creek Improvement District | University Park | Vineland |

	v • d • e State of Florida Tallahassee (capital)
Topics	Education | Environment | Floridians | Geography | Government | History | State Parks | Transportation
Regions	Big Bend | Central Florida | Emerald Coast | First Coast | Florida Heartland | Florida Keys | Florida Panhandle | Forgotten Coast | Gold Coast | Nature Coast | North Central Florida | South Florida | Southwest Florida | Space Coast | Sun Coast | Tampa Bay Area | Treasure Coast
Largest cities	Jacksonville | Miami | Tampa | St. Petersburg | Orlando | Hialeah | Fort Lauderdale | Tallahassee | Cape Coral | Pembroke Pines | Hollywood | Port St. Lucie | Coral Springs | Gainesville | Miramar | Clearwater | Pompano Beach | Miami Gardens | West Palm Beach | Palm Bay | Sunrise | Lakeland | Miami Beach | Boca Raton | Plantation
Counties	Alachua | Baker | Bay | Bradford | Brevard | Broward | Calhoun | Charlotte | Citrus | Clay | Collier | Columbia | DeSoto | Dixie | Duval | Escambia | Flagler | Franklin | Gadsden | Gilchrist | Glades | Gulf | Hamilton | Hardee | Hendry | Hernando | Highlands | Hillsborough | Holmes | Indian River | Jackson | Jefferson | Lafayette | Lake | Lee | Leon | Levy | Liberty | Madison | Manatee | Marion | Martin | Miami‑Dade | Monroe | Nassau | Okaloosa | Okeechobee | Orange | Osceola | Palm Beach | Pasco | Pinellas | Polk | Putnam | Santa Rosa | Sarasota | Seminole | St. Johns | St. Lucie | Sumter | Suwannee | Taylor | Union | Volusia | Wakulla | Walton | Washington