Central Florida InformationCentral 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, includingOrange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, and Volusiacounties. 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.
Central Florida is mostly flatland with over 1,500 lakes and ponds. There are also swamps and pristine coastline. Major rivers include the St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, the Banana River, the Halifax River, and the Econlockhatchee River. Major lakesinclude 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.
Brevard County, which is considered by many locals to be part of Central Florida includes Titusville (between 25,000-50,000), Melbourne (between 50,000-100,000) and Palm Bay (over 100,000). Polk County, which is part of the television market, includes Winter Haven and Lakeland (50,000-100,000).
Theme ParksOther 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 ofrecreational 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.
ZoosCentral Florida has one major zoo, The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which is located in the city of Sanford.[5] 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.
CultureCentral 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 andNorth Florida and some Floridians will say that you leave the South when you passOcala.
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 Museumand 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.
Although the exact boundaries can be disputed, Central Florida is the area around metropolitan Orlando, includingOrange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, and Volusiacounties. 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.
Central Florida is mostly flatland with over 1,500 lakes and ponds. There are also swamps and pristine coastline. Major rivers include the St. Johns River, the Ocklawaha River, the Banana River, the Halifax River, and the Econlockhatchee River. Major lakesinclude 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.
Brevard County, which is considered by many locals to be part of Central Florida includes Titusville (between 25,000-50,000), Melbourne (between 50,000-100,000) and Palm Bay (over 100,000). Polk County, which is part of the television market, includes Winter Haven and Lakeland (50,000-100,000).
Theme ParksOther 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 ofrecreational 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.
ZoosCentral Florida has one major zoo, The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, which is located in the city of Sanford.[5] 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.
CultureCentral 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 andNorth Florida and some Floridians will say that you leave the South when you passOcala.
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 Museumand 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.