Orlando is known throughout the world as the home of Walt Disney World, the most magical place on earth, but there is so many more fun and interesting facts about the city beautiful, ready on!
Welcome to Orlando, the sixth largest area in the Southern States, the third largest metropolitan area in Florida. the fourth largest city in Florida, and it's an awesome place to live!
The City of Orlando is nicknamed "The City Beautiful" and its symbol is the gorgeous fountain at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando.
Most commonly, Orlando is of course known as The Theme Park Capital of the World and attracts more than 72 million visitors yearly.
With so many visitors now arriving, Orlando International Airport (MCO) is the thirteenth busiest airport in the United States and the 29th busiest in the world, pretty impressive!
As one of the world's most visited destinations, Orlando's famous attractions form the backbone of its tourism industry.
The city is also one of the busiest U.S.cities for conferences and conventions, the Orange County Convention Center is the second-largest convention facility in the U.S.
Orlando's location in the subtropical state of Florida guarantees a year round sunny climate and it's almost limitless selection of things to do means Orlando really does have something for everyone!!
Fun 'n' Fast Orlando Facts
Orlando has a ton of not so well known facts, so read on...
Firstly, and this is a good one. Why is Orlando called Orlando? Well, believe it or not, nobody quite knows the actual answer to this one! There is four known stories of its inception, but no conclusion has ever been officially reached!
Orlando has a ton of lakes, over 100 of them, many of which are the result of sinkholes, the gorgeous Lake Eola is actually a huge sinkhole, yep a giant sinkhole with its deepest point, 80 feet.
The actual name of the fountain at Lake Eola is Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain. The fountain is the symbol of the City of Orlando, oh and there is over 50 swans at Lake Eola.
Church Street Station was built in 1889 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Orlando has well over 100 parks.
The first highway in Orlando was Colonial Drive, which was originally paved brick, wow.
The tallest building in Orlando is the SunTrust Center at 441 ft, oh and the views are awesome.
Central Florida was originally the center of Florida’s citrus industry, after a disastrous freeze right before the 1900s, farmers began moving their crops south.
Long before tourism the most popular industries in Central Florida were cattle, cotton and citrus.
Joseph Bumby, an original pioneer and settler built a store known as Bumby Hardware Store on Church Street, the location is now Hamburger Mary’s.
The Rogers Building and the 1890 Railroad Depot are the oldest remaining structures in downtown.
The Orlando Public Library is the largest public library building in Florida at 290,000 square feet.
The Orlando Wetlands, located in east Orange is home to over 30 species of wildlife that are listed on the threatened and endangered wildlife list.
The City of Orlando has had various nicknames throughout its history, including City Phenomenal and City of Light and is currently The City Beautiful.
Orlando is home to the world's largest entertainment McDonald's (it's huge!) and the world's largest Disney store, The World Of Disney at Disney Springs, you gotta visit this one!
Orlando is the Lightning Capital of America, yep so watch out when a storm is rolling through.
Central Florida is home to Shingle Creek, the source of the Florida Everglades, and yes, also thousands of alligators.
Oh and talking of alligators, Gatorland was the first theme park to open in Orlando in 1949.
After Disneyland opened in California in 1955, Walt Disney began buying up thousands of acres of swampland In Kissimmee, Florida with Walt Disney World opened in 1971.
It would take at least five years to eat at all 5,300 plus Orlando restaurants, if you ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at a different restaurant every day! Heck now that's a lot of food!
For the very latest news and information from Orlando and Central Florida, check back often here at Gotta Go Orlando as we keep you informed throughout the day, every day.
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