Central Florida: Difference between revisions

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The west central coast, including [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough]], [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas]], [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco]], and [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando]] counties, is the [[Tampa Bay Area]] or the [[Florida Suncoast|Suncoast]]. These counties are not included in Central Florida demographics.
The west central coast, including [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough]], [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas]], [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco]], and [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando]] counties, is the [[Tampa Bay Area]] or the [[Florida Suncoast|Suncoast]]. These counties are not included in Central Florida demographics.

==Geography==
Central Florida is mostly flatland with over 1,500 lakes and ponds. There are also swamps and pristine coastline. [[Hurricanes]] are not as major a threat as they are in [[South Florida]], but the 2004 Hurricane Season brought 3 major hurricanes to the Central Florida area; Charley, Jeanne, and Francis. Major [[rivers]] include the [[St. Johns River]], the [[Ocklawaha River]], the [[Banana River]], the [[Halifax River]], and the [[Econlockhatchee River]]. Major [[lakes]] include [[Lake Apopka]], [[Lake Tohopekaliga]], [[East Lake Tohopekaliga]], [[Lake Louisa]], [[Lake Monroe]], [[Lake Jessup]], and the [[Butler Chain of Lakes]].

There are over 100 miles of coastline in Central Florida along the Atlantic Coast. Major beaches include [[Canaveral National Seashore]], [[New Smyrna Beach]], Daytona Beach, [[Cocoa Beach, Florida]], and Indiatlantic Beach near Melbourne, FL.


==Population==
==Population==
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===Rail===
===Rail===
[[Amtrak]] serves Central Florida running on [[CSX Transportation]]'s A line and stops at the [[Orlando Amtrak Station]]. The ''[[Auto Train]]'' stops at the station in [[Sanford, Florida]], north of [[downtown Orlando]].
[[Amtrak]] serves Central Florida running on [[CSX Transportation]]'s A line and stops at the [[Orlando Amtrak Station]]. The ''[[Auto Train]]'' stops at the station in [[Sanford, Florida]], north of [[downtown Orlando]].

⚫
===Seaports===
⚫
[[Port Canaveral]], located in Cape Canaveral 45 minutes east of Orlando, is a cruise, cargo, and naval port. It is one of the busiest ports in Florida and is economically tied to Orlando. Locally perceived to be Orlando's [[seaport]], Port Canaveral is the closest port for tourists and Orlando residents alike to [[cruise]] on [[Disney Cruise Lines]] and [[Carnival Cruises]]. Future plans for the port include a rail and natural gas line running directly to Orlando International Airport.


===Commuter & High Speed Rail===
===Commuter & High Speed Rail===
Central Florida is developing a regional commuter and high-speed rail network. The first of these initiatives, [[SunRail]], is a [[commuter]] rail line that will run from [[Deland]] south to [[Kissimmee]]. The first phase should be complete by 2013 with the full system in place by 2015. The second is a [[high speed rail]] line that will run from the [[Orlando International Airport]] to [[downtown Tampa]]; with future lines eventually connecting to [[downtown Orlando]], Jacksonville, and Miami. President Obama announced in 2010 that Federal funding will be awarded to Florida to begin construction on the Orlando to Tampa route in 2011.<ref>http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/02/05/us-makes-play-to-catch-up-on-high-speed-rail.html</ref>
Central Florida is developing a regional commuter and high-speed rail network. The first of these initiatives, [[SunRail]], is a [[commuter]] rail line that will run from [[Deland]] south to [[Kissimmee]]. The first phase should be complete by 2013 with the full system in place by 2015. The second is a [[high speed rail]] line that will run from the [[Orlando International Airport]] to [[downtown Tampa]]; with future lines eventually connecting to [[downtown Orlando]], Jacksonville, and Miami. President Obama announced in 2010 that Federal funding will be awarded to Florida to begin construction on the Orlando to Tampa route in 2011.<ref>http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/02/05/us-makes-play-to-catch-up-on-high-speed-rail.html</ref>

⚫
===Seaports===
⚫
[[Port Canaveral]], located in Cape Canaveral 45 minutes east of Orlando, is a cruise, cargo, and [[US Navy]] port and is one of the busiest ports in Florida. It is economically tied to Orlando, essentially making it Orlando's seaport, and is also the closest port for tourists and Orlando residents alike to [[cruise]] on [[Disney Cruise Lines]] and [[Carnival Cruises]]. Future plans for the port include a rail and natural gas line running directly to Orlando International Airport.


==Attractions==
==Attractions==
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* [[Universal Orlando Resort|Universal Studios Florida]]
* [[Universal Orlando Resort|Universal Studios Florida]]


Other major attractions include [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Cypress Gardens]], [[Bok Tower Gardens]], [[Daytona International Speedway]] and [[Gatorland]]. Central Florida also has a wide variety of natural attractions including the [[St. Johns River]], the [[Ocklawaha River]], the [[Econlockhatchee River]], [[Canaveral National Seashore]], [[Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge]] and over 1,500 lakes and ponds. The region also boasts an extensive network of [[List of Florida paved bike trails#Orlando area|recreational trails]] (jogging, biking, equestrian, etc). While many connections are already in place, construction continues and will link all of the [[trails]] and [[Greenway (landscape)|greenways]]. Major trails include the [[Cady Way Trail|Cady Way]], [[Cross Seminole Trail|Cross Seminole]] and [[West Orange Trail]]s.
Other major attractions include [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Cypress Gardens]], [[Bok Tower Gardens]], [[Daytona International Speedway]], [[The Holy Land Experience]], and [[Gatorland]]. Central Florida also has a wide variety of natural attractions including the [[Wekiwa Springs State Park]], [[Blue Springs State Park]], [[Rock Springs Run State Reserve]], and [[Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge]]. The region also boasts an extensive network of [[List of Florida paved bike trails#Orlando area|recreational trails]] (jogging, biking, equestrian, etc). While many connections are already in place, construction continues and will link all of the [[trails]] and [[Greenway (landscape)|greenways]]. Major trails include the [[Cady Way Trail|Cady Way]], [[Cross Seminole Trail|Cross Seminole]] and [[West Orange Trail]]s.


===Zoos===
===Zoos===

Revision as of 20:43, 26 June 2010

For the university in Orlando, see University of Central Florida.
Central Florida
Central Florida

Central Florida (also known as "Greater Orlando") is the central region of the United States state of Florida, on the East Coast. It is the third largest region in Florida, after South Florida and Tampa Bay, respectively. Central Florida is also an important distribution center and transportation hub.

Although the exact boundaries can be disputed, Central Florida is the area around metropolitan Orlando, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia counties. Polk, Flagler, and Sumter counties are often included in Central Florida demographics and are primarily served by Orlando media outlets. This area is part of the I-4 corridor.

The west central coast, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties, is the Tampa Bay Area or the Suncoast. These counties are not included in Central Florida demographics.

Geography

Central Florida is mostly flatland with over 1,500 lakes and ponds. There are also swamps and pristine coastline. Hurricanes are not as major a threat as they are in South Florida, but the 2004 Hurricane Season brought 3 major hurricanes to the Central Florida area; Charley, Jeanne, and Francis. Major rivers include the St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, the Banana River, the Halifax River, and the Econlockhatchee River. Major lakes include Lake Apopka, Lake Tohopekaliga, East Lake Tohopekaliga, Lake Louisa, Lake Monroe, Lake Jessup, and the Butler Chain of Lakes.

There are over 100 miles of coastline in Central Florida along the Atlantic Coast. Major beaches include Canaveral National Seashore, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach, Cocoa Beach, Florida, and Indiatlantic Beach near Melbourne, FL.

Population

In 2009, the estimated total population of the Central Florida region was 3.3 million people[1]. This includes the populations of Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Volusia, and Lake Counties. If the populations of Polk, Flagler, and Sumter counties were included, the estimated population would be 3.9 million people. Explosive growth has fueled Central Florida for the past thirty years, but this trend plateaued in 2009.[2]

Largest Cities

Infrastructure

Major Airports

Major international airports include:

Major Highways

Limited Access Freeways and Expressways:

Major Surface Arterials:

Rail

Amtrak serves Central Florida running on CSX Transportation's A line and stops at the Orlando Amtrak Station. The Auto Train stops at the station in Sanford, Florida, north of downtown Orlando.

Seaports

Port Canaveral, located in Cape Canaveral 45 minutes east of Orlando, is a cruise, cargo, and naval port. It is one of the busiest ports in Florida and is economically tied to Orlando. Locally perceived to be Orlando's seaport, Port Canaveral is the closest port for tourists and Orlando residents alike to cruise on Disney Cruise Lines and Carnival Cruises. Future plans for the port include a rail and natural gas line running directly to Orlando International Airport.

Commuter & High Speed Rail

Central Florida is developing a regional commuter and high-speed rail network. The first of these initiatives, SunRail, is a commuter rail line that will run from Deland south to Kissimmee. The first phase should be complete by 2013 with the full system in place by 2015. The second is a high speed rail line that will run from the Orlando International Airport to downtown Tampa; with future lines eventually connecting to downtown Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami. President Obama announced in 2010 that Federal funding will be awarded to Florida to begin construction on the Orlando to Tampa route in 2011.[3]

Attractions

Theme Parks

Other major attractions include Kennedy Space Center, Cypress Gardens, Bok Tower Gardens, Daytona International Speedway, The Holy Land Experience, and Gatorland. Central Florida also has a wide variety of natural attractions including the Wekiwa Springs State Park, Blue Springs State Park, Rock Springs Run State Reserve, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The region also boasts an extensive network of recreational trails (jogging, biking, equestrian, etc). While many connections are already in place, construction continues and will link all of the trails and greenways. Major trails include the Cady Way, Cross Seminole and West Orange Trails.

Zoos

Central Florida has one major zoo, The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which is located in the city of Sanford.[4] Other zoo's have been proposed, but never materialize. The main reason is that there are already two theme parks in Orlando featuring animals; Disney's Animal Kingdom and SeaWorld Orlando.

Culture

Central Florida is a culturally unique region. The traditional Southern feel found in states such as Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama is found primarily in the northern, rural sections of Central Florida; namely northern Volusia and Lake counties, and pockets of Orange County. The perceived "typical Florida" culture dominated by urban living and national and international migration is primarily in Orlando. Visitors often notice a stark contrast between the tourist infested pockets of Central Florida and North Florida and some Floridians will say that you leave the South when you pass Ocala.

Cultural attractions in Central Florida include The Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and Orange County Regional History Center; all of which are located in downtown Orlando. The Cornell Fine Arts Museum and Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art are located in Winter Park, just north of downtown Orlando. The Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Daytona International Speedway, home to NASCAR, are located in Daytona Beach.

Orlando is also a major entertainment center, home to several recording studios and television & film production facilities. Numerous major motion pictures have been filmed in Orlando and the area is a major producer of independent films. In addition, many recording artists and musical groups are from Orlando. (see the article Orlando, Florida for more details)

Economy

Tourism is a large contributor to Central Florida's economy. However, the area has economically diversified in the past decade. As a high-tech industrial hub, Metro Orlando has the seventh largest research park in the U.S., Central Florida Research Park, the engineering and business school of the University of Central Florida, and major defense companies such as Lockheed Martin and Siemens. Orlando will become a major medical research center with the University of Central Florida medical school, the Burnham Institute biomedical research facility and a new Veterans Administration hospital all opening in 2010. All of the aforementioned facilities will be located in the Lake Nona area and will collectively be referred to as Medical City.

Kennedy Space Center, Patrick Air Force Base, and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are major military installations in Central Florida. See the article Orlando, Florida for more detailed information regarding the local economy.

Central Florida is also one of the largest retail markets in Florida. Retail offerings in the area range from tourist shops selling inexpensive items to upscale luxury goods. There are at least 5 upscale malls and several major fashion designers have opened shops in Orlando to capitalize on the area's wealth. The most prestigious can be found at the Mall at Millenia and include Dior, Chanel, Cartier, and Tiffany & Co.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.slideshare.net/gwinters/the-incredible-orlando-market
  2. ^ http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aZOI02HF8V80
  3. ^ http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2010/02/05/us-makes-play-to-catch-up-on-high-speed-rail.html
  4. ^ Welcome to the Central Florida Zoo "Central Florida Zoo.com
  5. ^ http://www.orlando-villa-guide.com/shopping

External links

Template:Greater Orlando

28°55′37″N 81°43′17″W / 28.92694°N 81.72139°W / 28.92694; -81.72139

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