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{{Redirect2|Orlando|The City Beautiful|the Indian city also nicknamed "The City Beautiful"|Chandigarh|other uses|Orlando (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Short description|City in Central Florida}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->| name = Orlando, Florida
| official_name = {{#property:p1448}}
| settlement_type = [[City (Florida)|City]]
| image_skyline = Orlando collage.jpg
| image_caption = '''Top row:''' [[Downtown Orlando]]; '''2nd row:''' [[Orange County Courthouse (Florida)|Orange County Courthouse]], [[Universal Studios Florida]], [[Walt Disney World]]; '''3rd row:''' [[Gatorland]], [[SeaWorld Orlando]], [[Amway Center]]; '''4th row:''' [[Lake Eola|Lake Eola fountain]], [[Camping World Stadium]], [[Church Street Station (Orlando)|Church Street Station]]
| imagesize = 300px
| image_flag = {{#property:p41}}
| flag_link = Flag of Orlando
| image_seal = {{#property:p158}}
| nickname = {{#property:p1449}}, Theme Park Capital of the World
| image_map = {{#property:p242}}
| map_caption = Location in [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]] and the state of [[Florida]].
| pushpin_map = Florida#USA
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_label = Orlando
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Florida##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|28|32|24|N|81|22|48|W|type:city_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = <ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = {{US}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Florida}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Florida|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Orange County, Florida.png}} [[Orange County, Florida|Orange]]
| established_title = {{nowrap|[[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] (town)}}
| established_date = July 31, 1875
| established_title1 = Unincorporated
| established_date1 = July 1879
| established_title2 = Re-Incorporated
| established_date2 = October 1879
| established_title3 = Incorporated (city)
| established_date3 = 1885
| government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–Commission]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = [[Buddy Dyer]]
| leader_party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]
| total_type = Total
| unit_pref = [[Imperial]]
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2016">{{cite web|title=2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2016_Gazetteer/2016_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=July 7, 2017}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi = 113.75
| area_land_sq_mi = 105.22
| area_water_sq_mi = 8.53
| area_urban_sq_mi = 652.64
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
| elevation_ft = 82
| population_footnotes = <ref name="GR1" /><ref name="ua2010">[https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/orlandocityflorida#viewtop 2070 List of Populations of Urban Areas]. U.S. Census Bureau. census.gov. Accessed September 11, 2018.</ref><ref name="2014 Pop Estimate">{{cite web|title=Population xurityEstimates|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045215/1253000|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=October 24, 2014}}</ref>
| population_total = 238300
| population_rank = [[List of United States cities by population|73rd, U.S.]]
| population_as_of = [[2010 United States Census|2010]]
| population_est = 280257
| pop_est_as_of = 2017
| population_density_sq_mi = 2634.27
| population_demonym = {{#property:p1549}}
| population_urban = 1,510,516 ([[List of United States urban areas|32nd, U.S.]])
| population_metro = 2,387,138 ([[Table of United States Metropolitan Statistical Areas|24th, U.S.]])
| population_blank1_title = [[Combined Statistical Area|CSA]]
| population_blank1 = 3,129,308 ([[Table of United States Combined Statistical Areas|17th, U.S.]])
| timezone1 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset = &minus;5
| timezone1_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code|ZIP code(s)]]
| postal_code = {{#property:p281}}
| area_codes = [[Area code 321|321]], [[Area code 407|407]]
| website = {{#property:p856}}
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 12-53000
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0288240<ref name="GR3" />
| blank2_name = [[Interstate Highway|Interstate]]s
| blank2_info = [[File:I-4.svg|25px|link=Interstate 4]]
| blank3_name = [[U.S. Routes]]
| blank3_info = [[File:US 17.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 17 in Florida]] [[File:US 92.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 92 in Florida]] [[File:US 441.svg|31px|link=U.S. Route 441]]
| blank4_name = Major State Routes
| blank4_info = [[File:Toll Florida 408.svg|27px|link=Florida State Road 408]] [[File:Toll Florida 414.svg|27px|link=Florida State Road 414]] [[File:Toll Florida 417.svg|27px|link=Florida State Road 417]] [[File:Toll Florida 429.svg|27px|link=Florida State Road 429]] [[File:Toll Florida 528.svg|27px|link=Florida State Road 528]] [[File:Florida%27s_Turnpike_shield.svg|27px|link=Florida's Turnpike]]
| footnotes =
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusEst2016"/>
| area_total_km2 = {{#property:p2046}}
| area_land_km2 = 272.51
| area_water_km2 = 22.10
| population_density_km2 = 1017.10
}}

'''Orlando''' ({{IPAc-en|ɔr|ˈ|l|æ|n|d|oʊ}}) is a city in the U.S. state of [[Florida]] and the [[county seat]] of [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]]. Located in [[Central Florida]], it is the center of the [[Greater Orlando|Orlando metropolitan area]], which had a population of 2,509,831, according to [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]] figures released in July 2017. These figures make it the [[List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas|23rd-largest metropolitan area]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brinkmann|first1=Paul|title=New stats show Orlando grew faster than 30 biggest metros|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-orlando-population-growth-20160324-story.html |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |accessdate=March 24, 2016}}</ref> in the United States, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the [[Southern United States]], and the third-largest metropolitan area in Florida. As of 2015, Orlando had an estimated city-proper population of {{#statements:p1082}}, making it the [[List of United States cities by population|73rd-largest city]] in the United States, the fourth-largest city in Florida, and the state's largest inland city.

The City of Orlando is nicknamed "The City Beautiful," and its symbol is the fountain at [[Lake Eola]]. Orlando is also known as "The Theme Park Capital of the World" and in 2016 its tourist attractions and events drew more than 72 million visitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-visit-orlando-tourism-2017-story.html|title=72 million tourists visited Orlando in 2017, a record number|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|date=May 10, 2018|work=Orlando Sentinel|archiveurl=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-visit-orlando-tourism-2017-story.html|archivedate=July 18, 2014|dead-url=|accessdate=August 27, 2018}}</ref> The [[Orlando International Airport]] (MCO or OIA) is the thirteenth-busiest airport in the United States and the 29th-busiest in the world.<ref>[http://www.airports.org/cda/aci_common/display/main/aci_content07_c.jsp?zn=aci&cp=1-5-212-218-224_666_2__ Passenger Traffic for past 12 months ending May 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812030729/http://www.airports.org/cda/aci_common/display/main/aci_content07_c.jsp?zn=aci&cp=1-5-212-218-224_666_2__ |date=August 12, 2011 }}. Airports.org. Retrieved August 21, 2011.</ref>

As one of the world's most visited tourist destinations, Orlando's famous attractions form the backbone of its tourism industry. The two most significant of these attractions are [[Walt Disney World]], opened by the [[Walt Disney Company]] in 1971, and located approximately {{convert|21|mi|km}} southwest of Downtown Orlando in [[Bay Lake, Florida|Bay Lake]]; and the [[Universal Orlando Resort]], opened in 1990 as a major expansion of [[Universal Studios Florida]]. With the exception of Walt Disney World, most major attractions are located along [[International Drive]] with one of these attractions being the famous [[ICON Orlando|Orlando Eye]]. The city is also one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions; the [[Orange County Convention Center]] is the second-largest convention facility in the United States.

Like other major cities in the [[Sun Belt]], Orlando grew rapidly from the 1980s up into the first decade of the 21st century. Orlando is home to the [[University of Central Florida]], which is the [[List of United States university campuses by enrollment|largest university campus in the United States]] in terms of enrollment {{as of|2015|lc=y}}. In 2010, Orlando was listed as a "Gamma−"<!-- Gamma "minus", indicated by a minus sign --> level [[global city]] in the World Cities Study Group's inventory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2010t.html |title=GaWC – The World According to GaWC 2010 |publisher=Lboro.ac.uk |date=September 14, 2011 |accessdate=December 10, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131010004859/http://www.lboro.ac.uk/gawc/world2010t.html |archivedate=October 10, 2013 |df= }}</ref> Orlando ranks as the fourth-most popular American city based on where people want to live according to a 2009 [[Pew Research Center]] study.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1096/community-satisfaction-top-cities |title=For Nearly Half of America, Grass Is Greener Somewhere Else; Denver Tops List of Favorite Cities &#124; Pew Research Center's Social & Demographic Trends Project |publisher=Pewresearch.org |date= 2009-01-29|accessdate=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

==Etymology==

''Fort Gatlin'', as the Orlando area was once known, was established at what is now just south of the city limits by the [[4th U.S. Artillery]] under the command of Ltc. Alexander C. W. Fanning on November 9, 1838, during the construction of a series of fortified encampments across [[Florida]] during the [[Second Seminole War]].<ref name=FLhistorical>{{cite web |url= https://myfloridahistory.org/date-in-history/fort-gatlin-established|title=Fort Gatlin established|author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=myfloridahistory.org |publisher=Florida Historical Society |access-date= March 1, 2017|quote=}}</ref> The fort and surrounding area were named for Dr. John S. Gatlin, an Army physician who was killed in [[Dade's Massacre]] on December 28, 1835. The site of construction for Fort Gatlin, a defensible position with fresh water between three small lakes, was likely chosen because the location was on a main trail and is less than 250 yards from a nearby Council Oak tree where [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] had traditionally met. [[Ee-mat-la|King Phillip]] and [[Wild Cat (Seminole)|Coacoochee]] frequented this area and the tree was alleged to be the place where the previous [[Dade's Massacre|1835 ambush]] that had killed over 100 soldiers had been planned.<ref name=Dickenson2003>{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2003-07-06/news/0307040093_1_council-oak-fries-orlando |title=Giant Council Oak Is Gone, But Its Presence Is Felt|last= Wallace Dickinson|first= Joy|date=July 6, 2003 |website=orlandosentinel.com |publisher=''The Orlando Sentinel'' |access-date=March 1, 2017 |quote=}}</ref> When the [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military]] abandoned the fort in 1839, the surrounding community was built up by settlers.<ref name=FLhistorical />

Prior to being known by its current name, Orlando was once known as ''Jernigan.'' This name originates from the first permanent settlers, Issac and [[Aaron Jernigan]], cattlemen who acquired land two miles northwest of Fort Gatlin along the west end of Lake Holden in July 1843 by the terms of the [[Armed Occupation Act]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Dickinson|first=Joy Wallace|title=Orlando : city of dreams|year=2003|publisher=Arcadia Pub.|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-2442-9|pages=21–22}}</ref><ref name= Andrews2000>{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2000-05-07/news/0005060156_1_seminole-gatlin-fort |title=Site's Key To Orlando History: Fort Gatlin|last= Andrews|first=Mark |date=May 7, 2000 |website=orlandosentinel.com |publisher=''The Orlando Sentinel'' |access-date=March 1, 2017 |quote=}}</ref><ref name= Andrews2000 /> Aaron Jernigan became Orange County's first State Representative in 1845 but his pleas for additional military protection went unanswered.

Fort Gatlin was briefly reoccupied by the military for a few weeks during October and November 1849 and subsequently a volunteer militia was left to defend the settlement.<ref name="Andrews2000" /> A historical marker indicates that by 1850 the Jernigan homestead (or Fort Gatlin in some sources)<ref name="Andrews1998" /> served as the nucleus of a village named ''Jernigan''.<ref name="marker">[http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMH4KB Orlando's First Settler, Aaron Jernigan] Retrieved March 2, 2017.</ref> According to an account written years later by his daughter, at that time, about 80 settlers were forced to shelter for about a year in "a [[stockade]] that Aaron Jernigan built on the north side of Lake Conway". One of the county's first records, a [[grand jury]]'s report, mentions a stockade where it states homesteaders were "driven from their homes and forced to huddle together in hasty defences [sic]." Aaron Jernigan led a local volunteer militia during 1852.<ref name="Andrews2000" />

A Post Office opened at Jernigan in 1850. Jernigan appears on an 1855 map of Florida and by 1856 the area had become the [[county seat]] of [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]].<ref name=Dickinson2005 >{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2005-03-13/news/0503110527_1_jernigan-tom-cruise-lake-eola |title=You're Really Living In The Land Of Jernigan|last=Dickinson|first=Joy Wallace|date=March 13, 2005 |website=orlandosentinel.com |publisher=''The Orlando Sentinel'' |access-date=March 4, 2017 |quote=}}</ref><ref name=FLhistorical /> In 1857, the Post Office was removed from Jernigan, and opened under the name of Orlando at a new location in present-day downtown Orlando.<ref name= Andrews2000 /> During the [[American Civil War]], the Post Office closed, but reopened in 1866. The move is believed to be sparked, in part, by Aaron Jernigan's fall from grace after he was relieved of his militia command by military officials in 1856. His behavior was so notorious that Secretary of War [[Jefferson Davis]] wrote, "It is said they [Jernigan's militia] are more dreadful than the Indians."<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney" /> In 1859, Jernigan and his sons were accused of committing a murder at the town's post office. They were then transported to [[Ocala]], but escaped.<ref name=marker />

There are at least five stories as to how Orlando got its name. The most common stories are that the name ''Orlando'' originated from the tale of a man who died in 1835 during a attack by Native Americans in the area during the [[Second Seminole War]]. Several of the stories relay an oral history of the marker for a person named Orlando, and the [[double entendre]], "Here lies Orlando." One variant includes a man named Orlando who was passing by on his way to [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] with a herd of ox, died, and was buried in a marked grave.<ref name=travel>[http://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/history-of-orlando.html History of Orlando] Florida Backroads Travel. Retrieved March 2, 2017.</ref>

At a meeting in 1857, debate had grown concerning the name of the town. Pioneer William B. Hull recalled how James Speer (a local resident, and prominent figure in the stories behind the naming of Orlando) rose in the heat of the argument and said, "This place is often spoken of as 'Orlando's Grave.' Let's drop the word 'grave' and let the county seat be Orlando."<ref name="Andrews1998" /><ref name="Dickinson, Cheney" />

Through a retelling of history, it is believed that a marker of some sort was indeed found by one of the original pioneers. However, others claim Speer simply used the Orlando Reeves legend to help push his plan for naming the settlement after the Shakespearean character.<ref name=Andrews1998 />

===Orlando Reeves===
Historians agree that there was likely not a soldier named [[Orlando Reeves]].<ref name=Dickenson2001>{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2001-01-28/news/0101260436_1_lake-eola-park-city-of-orlando-orlando-reeves |title=Mystery Of Name Tracked Down Long, Winding Trail|last=Dickinson |first=Joy Wallace |date=January 28, 2001 |website=orlandosentinel.com |publisher=''Orlando Sentinel'' |access-date=March 3, 2017 |quote=}}</ref> [[Folklore]] is that Reeves was acting as a [[Border guard|sentinel]] for a company of soldiers that had set up camp for the night on the banks of [[Lake Eola|Sandy Beach Lake]].<ref name="Dickinson, Reeves">{{cite book|last=Dickinson|first=Joy Wallace|title=Orlando : city of dreams|year=2003|publisher=Arcadia Pub.|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-2442-9|pages=13–14, 24}}</ref> Several different lakes are mentioned in the various versions, as no soldiers were in what is now downtown during 1835.<ref name=Andrews1994>{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-11-13/news/9411100492_1_lake-eola-orlando-reeves-seminoles |title=The Legend Of Orlando's Name Crumbles Under Expert Scrutiny|last= Andrews|first= Mark|date= November 13, 1994|website=orlandosentinel.com |publisher=''Orlando Sentinel'' |access-date=March 4, 2017 |quote=}}</ref>

The legend grew throughout the early 1900s, particularly with local historian Olive Brumbaugh (or Kena Fries<ref name="Dickinson, Reeves" />{{check|date=March 2017}}) retelling in various writings and on local radio station [[WDBO (AM)|WDBO]] in 1929.<ref name=Andrews1998 /> Another historian, Eldon H. Gore, promoted the Reeves legend in ''History of Orlando'' published in 1949.<ref name=Andrews1998>{{cite web |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-01-18/news/9801161380_1_lake-eola-orlando-reeves-orlando-public |title=Legendary Orlando Reeves Was A Remarkable Man – Or Was He?|last= Andrews|first= Mark|date= January 18, 1998|website=orlandosentinel.com |publisher=''Orlando Sentinel'' |access-date=March 3, 2017 |quote=}}</ref> A memorial beside [[Lake Eola]] – originally placed by students of Orlando's Cherokee Junior School in 1939 and updated in 1990 – designates the spot where the city's supposed namesake fell.<ref name=Dickenson2001 /><ref name="Dickinson, Reeves" />

There are conflicting legends. One legend has Reeves killed during an extended battle with the Seminoles after being field promoted after his platoon commander fell.<ref name=Andrews1998 /> However, an in-depth review of military records in the 1970s and 1980s turned up no record of Orlando Reeves ever existing.<ref name=Andrews1998 /><ref name=Dickenson2001 /><ref name="Dickinson, Reeves" /> Some versions attempt to account for Reeves having no military records by using the name of other people named 'Orlando' that exist in some written records – Orlando Acosta; however, not much is known about Acosta or whether he even existed. Another version of the story has Orlando Reed, supposedly an Englishman and mail carrier between Fort Gatlin and [[Fort Mellon]], allegedly killed while camping with his friends near Fort Gatlin.<ref name=Andrews1998 />

A second variation also places the story in 1835 during the [[Second Seminole War]]. This name is taken from a [[South Carolinian]] [[cattle ranching|cattle rancher]] named ''Orlando Savage Rees''. Rees owned a [[Volusia County]] [[sugar mill]] and [[plantation]] as well as several large estates in Florida and [[Mississippi]].<ref name=Andrews1998 /> Rees' sugar farms in the area were burned out in the Seminole attacks of 1835 (the year Orlando Reeves supposedly died). Subsequently, Rees led an expedition to recover stolen slaves and cattle. In 1837, Rees also attempted to stop a peace treaty with the Seminoles because it did not reimburse him for the loss of slaves and crops.<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney">{{cite book|last=Dickinson|first=Joy Wallace|title=Orlando : city of dreams|year=2003|publisher=Arcadia Pub.|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-2442-9|pages=24–25}}</ref>

It is believed Rees could have left a pine-bough marker with his name next to the trail; later residents misread "Rees" as "Reeves" and also mistook it as a grave maker.<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney"/> In subsequent years, this story has merged with the Orlando Reeves story (which may have originally incorporated part of Dr. Gatlin's story).<ref name=Andrews1998 />

On two separate occasions, relatives of Rees claimed their ancestor was the namesake of the city. F.K. Bull of [[South Carolina]] (Rees' great-grandson) told an Orlando reporter of a story in 1955; years later, Charles M. Bull Jr. of Orlando (Rees' great-great-grandson) offered local historians similar information.<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney"/> Unlike Orlando Reeves who cannot be traced to any historical record, there is considerable record that Orlando Rees did exist and was in Florida during that time period. For example, in 1832 [[John James Audubon]] met with Rees in his large estate at Spring Garden, about 45 minutes away from Orlando.<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney"/>

===Orlando (''As You Like It'')===
The final variation has the city named after [[Orlando (As You Like It)|the protagonist]] in the Shakespeare play ''[[As You Like It]]''.<ref name=Andrews1998 />

In 1975, Judge Donald A. Cheney put forth a new version of the story in an [[Orlando Sentinel]] article.<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney"/> Cheney (a local historian and then chairman of the county historical commission) recounted a story told to him by his father, Judge [[John Moses Cheney]] (a major figure in Orlando's history who arrived in Orlando in 1885).

The elder Cheney recounted that another gentleman at that time, James Speer, proposed the name Orlando after the character in ''As You Like It''.<ref name=Andrews1998 /> According to Cheney, Speer, "was a gentleman of culture and an admirer of William Shakespeare...<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney" /> Quoting a letter that Speer wrote, "Orlando was a veritable [[Arden, Warwickshire|Forest of Arden]], the locale of ''As You Like It.''"<ref name=Reflections>[http://www.thehistorycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Reflections_Fall2015-_lr.pdf Reflections, Fall 2015 Vol. 13 No. 4]. Retrieved March 1, 2017.</ref> Speer's descendants have also confirmed this version of the naming and the legend has continued to grow.<ref name="Dickinson, Cheney" />

This account also has some validity in that, as mentioned above, Speer was instrumental in changing the name of the settlement from Jernigan to Orlando, though he may have used the Orlando Reeves legend in lieu of his true intent to use the Shakespearean character. According to yet another version of the story Orlando may have been the name of one of his employees.<ref name=Andrews1998 /><ref name=travel /> It should also be noted that one of [[downtown Orlando]]'s major streets is named Rosalind Avenue; [[Rosalind (As You Like It)|Rosalind]] is the [[heroine]] of ''As You Like It'', but this could also be a simple coincidence''.''[[File:Lake Lucerne, Orlando, FL.jpg|thumb|left|Lake Lucerne, c. 1905]]

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Orlando, Florida}}

===Pre-European history===
No archaeological evidence exists of Pre-Columbian settlement in the area.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-history/16th-century-settlements/ | title=16th Century Settlements - Florida Department of State}}</ref><ref>[[Indigenous peoples of Florida]]</ref>

In 1823, the [[Treaty of Moultrie Creek]] created a [[Seminole]] reservation encompassing much of central Florida, including the area which would become Orlando. The [[Indian Removal Act]] of 1830 authorized relocation of the Seminole from Florida to Oklahoma, leading to the [[Second Seminole War]]. In 1842 white settlement in the area was encouraged by the [[Armed Occupation Act]].

===Incorporation===
After [[Mosquito County]] was divided in 1845, Fort Gatlin became the county seat of the newly created [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]] in 1856.<ref name=FLhistorical /> It remained a rural backwater during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and suffered greatly during the [[Union blockade]]. The [[Reconstruction Era]] brought on a population explosion, resulting in the incorporation of the Town of Orlando on July 31, 1875 with 85 residents (22 voters). For a short time in 1879 the town revoked its charter, and was subsequently re-incorporated.<ref name="Historic Orange County:The Story of Orlando and Orange County">{{cite book |last=Mosier |first=Tana |date=2009 |title=Historic Orange County:The Story of Orlando and Orange County |url=http://hpnbooks.com/wordpress/?p=1372 |location=Texas |publisher=Mahler Books |page=51 |isbn=9781893619999 |author-link=}}</ref> Orlando was established as a city in 1885.<ref>[http://www.cityoforlando.net/about_orlando.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314190141/http://www.cityoforlando.net/about_orlando.htm|date=March 14, 2014}}</ref>

The period from 1875 to 1895 is remembered as Orlando's Golden Era, when it became the hub of Florida's [[citrus]] industry. The period ended with the [[Great Freeze|Great Freeze of 1894–95]], which forced many owners to give up their independent citrus [[Grove (nature)|grove]]s, thus consolidating holdings in the hands of a few "citrus barons" who shifted operations south, primarily around [[Lake Wales, Florida|Lake Wales]] in [[Polk County, Florida|Polk County]].<ref name=travel /> The freeze caused many in Florida, including many Orlandoans, to move elsewhere, mostly to [[Northern United States|the North]], [[California]], or the [[Caribbean]].
[[File:The Wyoming, Orlando, FL.jpg|thumb|right|The Wyoming Hotel, c. 1905]]

Notable homesteaders in the area included the Curry family. Through their property in east Orlando flowed the [[Econlockhatchee River]], which travelers crossed by [[ford (crossing)|fording]]. This would be commemorated by the street's name, Curry Ford Road. Also, just south of the [[Orlando International Airport]] in the Boggy Creek area is {{convert|150|acre|km2}} of property homesteaded in the late 19th century by the Ward family. This property is still owned by the Ward family, and can be seen from southbound flights out of [[Orlando International Airport]] immediately on the south side of SR 417.

===Post-Industrial Revolution===
{{Unreferenced section|date=April 2011}}
Orlando became a popular resort during the years between the [[Spanish–American War]] and [[World War I]]. In the 1920s, Orlando experienced extensive housing development during the [[Florida Land Boom]], causing land prices to soar. During this period, several neighborhoods in downtown were constructed, endowing it with many [[bungalow]]s. The boom ended when several [[hurricanes]] hit Florida in the late 1920s, along with [[The Great Depression]].

During [[World War II]], a number of Army personnel were stationed at the [[Orlando Air Force Base|Orlando Army Air Base]] and nearby [[McCoy Air Force Base|Pinecastle Army Air Field]]. Some of these servicemen stayed in Orlando to settle and raise families. In 1956 the aerospace and defense company [[Martin Marietta]] (now [[Lockheed Martin]]) established a plant in the city. Orlando AAB and Pinecastle AAF were transferred to the [[United States Air Force]] in 1947 when it became a separate service and were re-designated 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 [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]] aircraft.

In 1968, Orlando AFB was transferred to the [[United States Navy]] and became Naval Training Center Orlando. In addition to boot camp facilities, the NTC Orlando was home of one of two Navy Nuclear Power Schools, and home of the [[Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division]]. When McCoy AFB closed in 1976, its runways and territory to its south and east were imparted to the city to become [[Orlando International Airport]], while a small portion to the northwest was transferred to the Navy as McCoy NTC Annex. That closed in 1995, and became a housing, though the former McCoy AFB still hosts a Navy Exchange, as well as National Guard and Reserve units for several branches of service. NTC Orlando was completely closed by the end of 1999. [[Base Realignment and Closure Commission]], and converted into the Baldwin Park neighborhood. The Naval Air Warfare Center had moved to Central Florida Research Park near UCF in 1989.

[[File:Lucerne Circle, Orlando, FL.jpg|thumb|right|Lucerne Circle c. 1905]]

===Tourism in history===
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 [[hurricane]]s – Orlando's inland location, although not free from hurricane damage, exposed it to less threat than coastal regions. The vacation resort opened in October 1971, ushering in an explosive population and economic growth for the Orlando metropolitan area, which now encompasses [[Orange County, Florida|Orange]], [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]], [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola]], and [[Lake County, Florida|Lake]] counties. As a result, tourism became the centerpiece of the area's economy. Orlando now has more [[theme park]]s and entertainment attractions than anywhere else in the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Best Hotels in Orlando for AARP Members in 2017|url=https://www.expedia-aarp.com/Orlando-Hotels.d178294.Travel-Guide-Hotels|website=AARP Travel Center|publisher=Expedia|accessdate=May 5, 2017}}</ref>

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 (NA)|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).

===21st century===
[[File:Orlando downtown 2011.jpg|thumb|View of Downtown Orlando (center) and periphery to [[Lake Apopka]] (upper-right); January 2011]]

Today, the historic core of "Old Orlando" resides in [[Downtown Orlando]] along [[Church Street (Orlando, Florida)|Church Street]], between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue.
The Urban development and the Central Business District of downtown have rapidly shaped the downtown skyline during recent history. The present-day [[historic district]] is primarily associated with the neighborhoods around [[Lake Eola]] where century-old oaks line brick streets. These neighborhoods, known as "Lake Eola Heights" and "Thornton Park", contain some of the oldest homes in Orlando.

====2016 mass shooting====
{{main|2016 Orlando nightclub shooting}}
On June 12, 2016, more than 100 people were shot at [[Pulse (nightclub)|Pulse]], a [[gay bar|gay nightclub]] in Orlando. Fifty (including the gunman) were killed and 60 were wounded. The gunman, whom the police [[SWAT team]] shot to death, was identified as 29-year-old [[Omar Mateen|Omar Mir Seddique Mateen]], an American security guard of [[Afghan]] descent. The act of terrorism was both the deadliest [[mass shooting]] in modern United States history at the time and one of the deadliest mass shootings perpetrated by a single person in recorded world history. Mateen pledged allegiance to the Islamic State during his unsuccessful negotiations with police.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/pulse-orlando-nightclub-shooting/os-911-calls-released-orlando-shooting-20170922-story.html|title=Transcripts of 911 calls reveal Pulse shooter's terrorist motives|first=Caitlin|last=Doornbos|publisher=}}</ref> After the shooting, the city held numerous vigils. In November 2016, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced the city's intention to acquire the [[Pulse (nightclub)|Pulse Nightclub]] in order to build a permanent memorial for the 49 victims of the shooting. The city offered to buy it for $2.25 million, but the club's owner declined to sell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/political-pulse/os-pulse-nightclub-no-sale-orlando-20161205-story.html|title=Pulse nightclub owner says she won't sell to city|first=Jeff Weiner, Gal Tziperman|last=Lotan|publisher=}}</ref>

==Geography and cityscape==
[[File:Lake Eola from East Central Blvd., Orlando, FL.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lake Eola Park|Lake Eola]] in 1911]]
The geography of Orlando is mostly [[wetlands]], consisting of many lakes and swamps. The terrain is generally flat, making the land fairly low and wet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/states/Florida-Topography.html|title=Topography - Florida|website=www.city-data.com|access-date=2018-12-04}}</ref> The area is dotted with hundreds of lakes, the largest of which is [[Lake Apopka]]. Central Florida's [[bedrock]] is mostly [[limestone]] and very porous; the Orlando area is susceptible to [[sinkholes]]. Probably the most famous incident involving a sinkhole happened in 1981 in Winter Park, a city immediately north of downtown Orlando, dubbed [[Winter Park, Florida#The Winter Park sinkhole|"The Winter Park Sinkhole]]".

{{see also|List of neighborhoods in Orlando, Florida}}
There are 115 neighborhoods within the city limits and many [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated]] communities. Orlando's city limits resemble a checkerboard, with pockets of unincorporated Orange County surrounded by city limits. Such an arrangement results in some areas being served by both Orange County and the City of Orlando. This also explains Orlando's relatively low city population when compared to its metropolitan population. The city and county are working together in an effort to "round-out" the city limits with Orlando annexing portions of land already bordering the city limits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityoforlando.net/gis/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2014/03/AnnexationsMap34x44General.pdf |title=Map of Orlando |publisher=Cityoforlando.net |accessdate=August 2, 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140713122906/http://www.cityoforlando.net/gis/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2014/03/AnnexationsMap34x44General.pdf |archivedate=July 13, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2014}}

===Skyscrapers===
[[File:OrlandoNightSkyline.jpg|right|thumb|Night view of the Orlando skyline in 2010.]]
Metro Orlando has a total of 19 completed skyscrapers. The majority are located in [[Downtown Orlando]] and the rest are located in the tourist district southwest of downtown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/?id=101340 |title=Buildings of Orlando |publisher=Emporis.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref> Skyscrapers built in downtown Orlando have not exceeded {{convert|441|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}, since 1988, when the [[SunTrust Center]] was completed.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}} The main reason for this is the [[Orlando Executive Airport]], just under 2 miles from the city center, which does not allow buildings to exceed a certain height without approval from the FAA.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-downtown-orlando-skyline-20150125-story.html|title=No Space Needle or Gateway Arch: What defines Orlando's skyline?|last=Schlueb|first=Mark|website=OrlandoSentinel.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-06}}</ref>

====Downtown Orlando====
{{main|List of tallest buildings in Orlando}}{{see also|Financial District, Orlando}}
* [[SunTrust Center]], 1988, {{convert|441|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}, the tallest skyscraper in [[Greater Orlando]].
* [[The Vue at Lake Eola]], 2008, {{convert|426|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[Orange County Courthouse (Florida)|Orange County Courthouse]], 1997, {{convert|416|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}.
* [[Bank of America Center (Orlando)|Bank of America Center]], 1988, {{convert|409|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[55 West on the Esplanade]], 2009, {{convert|377|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[Solaire at the Plaza]], 2006, {{convert|359|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[Dynetech Centre|Dynetech Center]], 2009, {{convert|357|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* Citi Tower, 2017, 293&nbsp;ft (89 m)
* [[Citrus Center]], 1971, {{convert|280|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* The Waverly on Lake Eola, 2001, 280&nbsp;ft (85)
* [[Plaza South Tower|Premiere Trade Plaza Office Tower II]] 2006, 277&nbsp;ft (84)

====Outside Downtown Orlando====
* [[Hyatt Regency Orlando]], 2010, {{convert|428|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[SeaWorld SkyTower]], {{convert|400|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[Orlando Eye]], 2015, {{convert|400|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[Orlando International Airport]]'s [[Air traffic control|ATC tower]], 2002, {{convert|346|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}
* [[StarFlyer Orlando on International Drive]], 2018, {{convert|450|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}

===Climate===
{{climate chart
| Orlando
|49.2|71.2|2.35
|52.0|73.9|2.38
|55.8|78.0|3.77
|60.0|82.5|2.56
|66.4|88.1|3.45
|71.9|90.7|7.58
|73.5|91.8|7.27
|74.0|91.6|7.13
|72.7|89.5|6.06
|66.4|84.6|3.30
|58.6|78.4|2.17
|52.3|72.8|2.58
|units = imperial
|float = right
|clear = both }}

According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] Orlando has a [[humid subtropical climate]] like much of the deep southern United States. There are two basic seasons in Orlando, a hot and rainy season, lasting from May until late September (roughly coinciding with the [[Atlantic hurricane season]]), and a warm and dry season from October through April. {{Citation needed|date=April 2011}} The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation, its position relatively close to the [[Tropic of Cancer]], and its location in the center of a [[list of peninsulas|peninsula]]. Many characteristics of its climate are a result of its proximity to the [[Gulf Stream]], which flows around the peninsula of Florida.

During the height of Orlando's humid summer season, high temperatures are typically in the lower to mid 90s °F (32–36&nbsp;°C), while low temperatures rarely fall below the mid 70s °F (23-26&nbsp;°C). The average window for such temperatures is April 19 – October 11.<ref name = NOAA/> The area's humidity acts as a buffer, usually preventing actual temperatures from exceeding {{convert|100|°F|0}}, but also pushing the [[heat index]] to over {{convert|110|°F|0}}. The city's highest recorded temperature is {{convert|103|°F|0}}, set on September 8, 1921. 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. They are highlighted by spectacular [[lightning]] and can also bring heavy rain (sometimes several inches per hour) and powerful winds as well as rare damaging [[hail]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Thunderstorms |url=http://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/thunderstorms |website=Florida Climate Center |accessdate=10 January 2019}}</ref>

During the cooler season, humidity is much lower and temperatures are more moderate, and can fluctuate more readily. The monthly daily average temperature in January is {{convert|60.2|°F|1}}. Temperatures dip below the freezing mark on an average of only 2.4 nights per annum,<ref name = NOAA/> and the lowest recorded temperature is {{convert|18|°F}}, set on [[Great Freeze|December 28, 1894]]. Because the winter season is dry and freezing temperatures usually occur only after cold fronts (and their accompanying precipitation) have passed, snow is exceptionally rare. The only accumulation ever to occur in the city proper since recordkeeping began was in 1948, although there was some accumulation in surrounding areas in a snow event in January 1977. Flurries have also been observed in 1989, 2006,<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2006-11-21-florida-cold_x.htm Snow falls in central Florida as state endures unusual Nov. cold snap] ''[[USA Today]]''; Retrieved May 23, 2012</ref> and 2010.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/10/AR2010011002684.html Florida cold spell brings flurries to Orlando] ''[[The Washington Post]]''; Retrieved May 23, 2012</ref>

The average annual rainfall in Orlando is {{convert|50.6|in}}, a majority of which occurs in the period from June to September. The months of October through May are Orlando's dry season. During this period (especially in its later months), there is often a [[wildfire]] hazard. During some years, fires have been severe. In 1998, a strong [[El Niño-Southern Oscillation|El Niño]] caused an unusually wet January and February, followed by drought throughout the spring and early summer, causing a record wildfire season that created numerous air quality alerts in Orlando and severely impacted normal daily life, including the postponement of that year's [[Coke Zero 400|Pepsi 400]] [[NASCAR]] race in nearby [[Daytona Beach, Florida|Daytona Beach]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-07-03/sports/9807020466_1_winston-tower-first-night-event-daytona-international-speedway |title=Pepsi 400 Postponed By Fires – Sun Sentinel |publisher=Articles.sun-sentinel.com |date=July 3, 1998 |accessdate=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

Orlando is a major population center and has a considerable [[hurricane]] risk, although it is not as high as in [[South Florida]]'s urban corridor or other coastal regions. Since the city is located {{convert|42|mi|km}} inland from the Atlantic and {{convert|77|mi|km}} inland from the Gulf of Mexico,{{efn|Distance measured from Orlando City Hall to nearest Atlantic coastline, near [[Oak Hill, Florida|Oak Hill]], [[Brevard County, Florida|Brevard County]], and nearest Gulf coastline, near, [[Pine Island, Hernando County, Florida|Pine Island]], [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando County]], using [[Google Earth]]'s Ruler tool.}} hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. Storm surges are not a concern since the region is {{convert|100|ft|m}} [[Above mean sea level|above sea level]]. Despite its location, the city does see strong hurricanes. During the notorious [[2004 Atlantic hurricane season|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.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}

[[Tornado]]es are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the humid summer. They are more common during the infrequent cold days of winter, as well as in passing hurricanes. The two worst major outbreaks in the area's history, a [[1998 Kissimmee tornado outbreak|1998 outbreak]] that killed 42 people and a [[2007 Groundhog Day tornado outbreak|2007 outbreak]] that killed 21, both happened in February.
{{Orlando, Florida weatherbox}}

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|type= USA
|1890|2856
|1895|2993
|1900|2481
|1905|3205
|1910|3894
|1915|6448
|1920|9282
|1925|22255
|1930|27330
|1935|30481
|1940|36736
|1945|50105
|1950|52367
|1960|88135
|1970|99006
|1980|128251
|1990|164693
|2000|185951
|2010|238300
|2016|277173
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2016.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=June 9, 2017}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=Population 1890–2012<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/decennial/index.htm|title=Census Of Population And Housing|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=October 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn95.html|title=Census 2010 News &#124; U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Florida's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting|publisher=2010.census.gov|date=March 17, 2011|accessdate=November 17, 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214183722/http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn95.html|archivedate=December 14, 2012|df= }}</ref><br />2012 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|accessdate=November 18, 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019235623/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html|archivedate=October 19, 2013|df= }}</ref>

'''Sources:''' 1895–1945,<ref>{{cite book |last=Florida Department of Agriculture |date=1906 |title=Census of the State of Florida |url=https://books.google.com/?id=rn0zAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Census+of+the+State+of+Florida#v=onepage&q=Census%20of%20the%20State%20of%20Florida&f=false |location=Urbana, I.L.}}</ref>
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float: left; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 88%;" cellspacing="3"
|-
!colspan=4|Orlando Demographics
|-
![[2010 United States Census|2010 Census]]||Orlando||Orange County||Florida
|-
|Total population||238,300||1,145,956||18,801,310
|-
|Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010||+28.2%||+27.8%||+17.6%
|-
|Population density||2,327.3/sq&nbsp;mi||1,268.5/sq&nbsp;mi||350.6/sq&nbsp;mi
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White or Caucasian]] (including [[White Hispanic]])||57.6%||63.6%||75.0%
|-
|([[Non-Hispanic Whites|Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian]])||41.3%||46.0%||57.9%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic or Latino (of any race)]]||28.4%||26.9%||22.5%
|-
|[[Black (U.S. Census)|Black or African-American]]||25.1%||20.8%||16.0%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]||3.8%||4.9%||2.4%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] or [[Native Alaskan]]||0.4%||0.4%||0.4%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]]||0.1%||0.1%||0.1%
|-
|[[Multiracial American|Two or more races (Multiracial)]]||3.4%||3.4%||2.5%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Other Race]]||6.6%||6.8%||3.6%
|}
[[File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Orlando (5560430278).png|thumb|Map of racial distribution in Orlando, 2010 U.S. Census. Each dot is 25 people: <span style="color:#f00;">'''White'''</span>, <span style="color:#00f;">'''Black'''</span>, <span style="color:#00ff80">'''Asian'''</span>, <span style="color:#ff8000">'''Hispanic'''</span> or '''Other''' (yellow)]]

As of 2010, there were 121,254 households out of which 15.4% were vacant. As of 2000, 24.5% of households 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 2014, the city's population was spread out with 12.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 36.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.<ref>{{cite web|title = American FactFinder – Results|url = http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/14_5YR/S0101/1600000US1253000|website = factfinder.census.gov|access-date = January 21, 2016|language = en|first = U.S. Census|last = Bureau}}</ref>

Orlando has the largest population of [[Stateside Puerto Ricans|Puerto Ricans]] in Florida and their cultural impact on [[Central Florida]] is similar to that of the large [[Cubans|Cuban]] population in [[South Florida]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105691084 |title=Puerto Ricans Gain Political Clout In Florida |publisher=NPR |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref> Orlando is home to the fastest growing [[Stateside Puerto Ricans|Puerto Rican]] community in the country. Between 1980 and 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1253000.html |title=Orlando (city), Florida |work=State & County QuickFacts |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |accessdate=April 21, 2012}}</ref> Hispanic population share rose from 4.1 to 25.4%.<ref>{{cite web|title=Florida – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |accessdate=April 21, 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/69hd5KAIE?url=http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archivedate=August 6, 2012 |df= }}</ref> Orlando also has a large and growing [[Caribbean American|Caribbean]] population, with a large [[West Indian American|West Indian]] community (particularly [[Bahamian American|Bahamians]], [[Cuban American|Cubans]], [[Dominican American|Dominicans]], [[Jamaican American|Jamaicans]], [[Virgin Islands American|Virgin Islanders]], [[Trinidadian and Tobagonian American|Trinidadian and Tobagonian]] population) and an established [[Haitian Americans|Haitian]] community. Orlando has an active Jewish Community.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Art of Parenting course offered at JLI|url=http://www.heritagefl.com/story/2015/01/16/news/the-art-of-parenting-course-offered-at-jli/3867.html|agency=Heritage Florida Jewish News|date=January 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Sheskin|first1=Ira M.|title=Jewish identity in the sunbelt: the Jewish population of Orlando, Florida|journal=Contemporary Jewry|date=December 1994|volume=15|issue=1|pages=26–38|doi=10.1007/BF02986640}}</ref>

Orlando has a large LGBT population and is recognized{{By whom|date=June 2017}} as one of the most accepting and tolerant cities in the Southeast. {{As of|2015}}, around 4.1% of Orlando's population identify as LGBT,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/21/upshot/the-metro-areas-with-the-largest-and-smallest-gay-population.html|title=The Metro Areas With the Largest, and Smallest, Gay Populations|first1=David|last1=Leonhardt|first2=Claire Cain|last2=Miller|date=March 20, 2015|publisher=|access-date=June 8, 2017|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> making Orlando the city with the 20th-highest percentage of LGBT residents in the country.<ref>http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/morning_call/2015/03/orlando-has-20th-highest-lgbt-percentage-among.html</ref> The city is host to [[Gay Days at Walt Disney World|Gay Days]] every June (including at nearby [[Gay Days at Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-gay-days.htm|title=Disney Gay Days 2017|author=|date=|website=www.WDWInfo.com|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>), holds a huge Pride festival every October, and is home to Florida's first openly gay City Commissioner, Patty Sheehan.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

===Languages===
[[File:Orlando-fl.gif|thumb|right|U.S. Census map]]
As of 2000, 75% of all residents speak English as their first language, while 16.60% speak Spanish, 1.9% speak [[Haitian Creole]], 1.3% speak French, 0.99% speak Portuguese, and 0.5% of the population speak Arabic as their mother language. In total, 24% of the population 5 years and older speak a language other than English at home.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=12&county_id=&mode=&zip=&place_id=53000&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r |title=Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Orlando, Florida |publisher=MLA.org |date=March 15, 2006 |access-date=November 17, 2012}}</ref>

According to the American Community Survey of 2006–2008, 69% of Orlando's residents over the age of five spoke only English at home. Spanish-speakers represented 19.2% of Orlando's population. Speakers of other [[Indo-European languages]] made up 9% of the city's population. Those who spoke an [[Languages of Asia|Asian language]] made up 1% of the population, and speakers of other languages made up the remaining 0.6% of the populace.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US1253000&-qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_DP3YR2&-ds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_&-_lang=en&-redoLog=false&-_sse=on |title=Orlando city, Florida – Selected Social Characteristics in the United States: 2006–2008 |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |date= |access-date=November 17, 2012}}</ref>

===Metropolitan statistical area===
{{Main|Greater Orlando}}
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 County, Florida|Orange]], [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola]], [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]] and [[Lake County, Florida|Lake]]), and is the [[List of United States metropolitan statistical areas by population|26th-largest metro area]] in the United States with a 2010 Census-estimated population of 2,134,411.<ref name=metropop>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2011/tables/CBSA-EST2011-01.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2011|format=[[comma-separated values|CSV]]|work=2011 Population Estimates|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]], Population Division|date=April 2012|access-date=April 12, 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427231227/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2011/tables/CBSA-EST2011-01.csv|archivedate=April 27, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In 2000, the population of Orlando's urban area was 1,157,431, making it the third-largest in Florida and the 35th-largest in the United States. As of 2009, the estimated urban area population of Orlando is 1,377,342.

When [[Combined Statistical Area]]s 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, Florida|Deltona]] ([[Volusia County, Florida|Volusia County]]) and [[Palm Coast, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area|Palm Coast]] ([[Flagler County, Florida|Flagler County]]) were added to create the '''Orlando-Deltona-Daytona Beach, Florida, Combined Statistical Area'''.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2007/b07-01.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825135211/http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2007/b07-01.pdf|date=August 25, 2009}}</ref> This new larger CSA has a total population (as of 2007) of 2,693,552,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2007/CBSA-EST2007-02.xls |title=Annual Estimates of the Population of Combined Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2007 |publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]] |date=March 27, 2010 |accessdate=March 15, 2008 |format=.xls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709021002/http://www.census.gov/popest/metro/tables/2007/CBSA-EST2007-02.xls |archive-date=July 9, 2010 |dead-url=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and includes three of the 25 fastest-growing counties in the nation—Flagler ranks 1st; Osceola, 17th; and Lake, 23rd.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703235057/http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/cb07-42tbl3.xls|title=Wayback Machine|date=July 3, 2007|publisher=}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{See also|List of Florida companies|List of notable companies in Orlando, Florida}}
[[File:Orange County Convention Center.jpg|thumb|The North/South Concourse of the [[Orange County Convention Center]]]]

===Industry===
Orlando is a major industrial and [[hi-tech]] center. The metro area has a $13.4 billion technology industry employing 53,000 people;{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} and is a nationally recognized cluster of innovation in digital media, agricultural technology, aviation, aerospace, and software design. More than 150 international companies, representing approximately 20 countries, have facilities in Metro Orlando.

Orlando has the 7th-largest research park in the country, [[Central Florida Research Park]], with over {{convert|1025|acre|km2}}. It is home to over 120 companies, employs more than 8,500 people, and is the hub of the nation's military simulation and training programs. Near the end of each year, the [[Orange County Convention Center]] hosts the world's largest modeling and simulation conference: [[Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference]] (I/ITSEC). Metro Orlando is home to the simulation procurement commands for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

[[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 Metro Orlando: KDF, [[General Dynamics]], [[Harris Corporation|Harris]], [[Mitsubishi|Mitsubishi Power Systems]], [[Siemens AG|Siemens]], [[Veritas Software|Veritas]]/[[Symantec]], multiple [[USAF]] facilities, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division ([[NAWCTSD]]), [[Delta Connection]] Academy, [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]], [[General Electric|GE]], Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation ([[AFAMS]]), U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), [[United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command]] [[United States Army Simulation and Training Technology Center]] (STTC), [[AT&T Inc.|AT&T]], [[Boeing]], CAE Systems Flight and Simulation Training, [[Hewlett-Packard]], Institute for Simulation and Training, [[National Center for Simulation]], [[Northrop Grumman]], and [[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. Numerous office complexes for large corporations have popped up along the [[Interstate 4]] corridor north of Orlando, especially in [[Maitland, Florida|Maitland]], [[Lake Mary, Florida|Lake Mary]] and [[Heathrow, Florida|Heathrow]].

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]], a [[cruise ship]] terminal.

Orlando is the home base of [[Darden Restaurants]], the parent company of [[Olive Garden]] and [[LongHorn Steakhouse]], and the largest operator of restaurants in the world by revenue. In September 2009 it moved to a new headquarters and central distribution facility.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-darden-headquarters-orlando-opens-092609,0,4594693.story |title=Darden headquarters to open Wednesday in Orlando |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=September 26, 2009 |accessdate=November 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211231926/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-darden-headquarters-orlando-opens-092609,0,4594693.story |archive-date=February 11, 2010 |dead-url=yes |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

===Film, television, and entertainment===
Another important sector is the film, television, and electronic gaming industries, aided by the presence of [[Universal Studios Florida|Universal Studios]], [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]], [[Full Sail Real World Education|Full Sail University]], [[University of Central Florida College of Arts and Humanities|UCF College of Arts and Humanities]], the [[Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy]], and other entertainment companies and schools. The U.S. [[Institute for Simulation and Training|modeling, simulation, and training]] (MS&T) industry is centered on the Orlando region as well, with a particularly strong presence in the [[Central Florida Research Park]] adjacent to [[University of Central Florida]] (UCF). Nearby Maitland is the home of Tiburon, a division of the video game company [[Electronic Arts]]. Tiburon Entertainment was acquired by EA in 1998 after years of partnership, particularly in the [[Madden NFL]] series and [[NCAA Football series]] of video games. Nearby [[Full Sail University]], located in [[Winter Park, Florida|Winter Park]], draws new-media students in the areas of video game design, film, show production, and computer animation, among others, its graduates spawning several start-ups in these fields in the Orlando area. The headquarters of Ripley Entertainment Inc. are also located in Orlando.

===Healthcare===
Orlando has two non-profit hospital systems: [[Orlando Health]] and [[Adventist Health System|Florida Hospital]]. Orlando Health's [[Orlando Regional Medical Center]] is home to Central Florida's only Level I [[trauma center]], and [[Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies]] and [[Florida Hospital Orlando]] have the area's only Level III [[neonatal intensive care unit]]s. Orlando's medical leadership was further advanced with the completion of [[University of Central Florida]]'s College of Medicine, a new [[Veterans Health Administration|VA Hospital]] and the new [[Nemours Children's Hospital]], which is located in a new medical district in the Lake Nona area of the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.local6.com/news/11154722/detail.html |title=Lake Nona Is Site Of New VA Hospital |date=March 2, 2007 |publisher=[[Internet Broadcasting Systems]]/[[WKMG-TV]] |accessdate=July 15, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212095036/http://www.clickorlando.com/news/11154722/detail.html |archivedate=February 12, 2009 |df= }}<br />{{cite web|title=Nemours Children's Hospital, Orlando |url=http://www.nemours.org/about/location/nchorlando.html |publisher=Nemours Foundation |accessdate=November 18, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017101851/http://nemours.org/about/location/nchorlando.html |archivedate=October 17, 2011 |df= }}</ref>

===Housing and employment===
Historically, the unemployment rate in Greater Orlando was low, which resulted in growth that led to [[urban sprawl]] in the surrounding area and, in combination with the [[United States housing bubble]], to a large increase in home prices. Metro Orlando's unemployment rate in June 2010 was 11.1 percent, was 11.4 percent in April 2010, and was about 10 percent in about the same time of year in 2009.<ref>Stratton, Jim. [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/os-florida-jobless-rate-may-20100618,0,2950269.story "Florida jobless rate drops to 11.7 percent"], ''Orlando Sentinel'', June 18, 2010.</ref> As of August 2013, the area's jobless rate was 6.6 percent.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stratton |first=Jim |url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-09-20/business/os-unemployment-florida-august-20130920_1_unemployment-rate-job-numbers-percentage-point |title=Florida unemployment rate falls to 7 percent |newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=September 20, 2013 |accessdate=October 27, 2015}}</ref> Housing prices in Greater Orlando went up 37.08% in one year, from a median of $182,300 in November 2004 to $249,900 in November 2005, and eventually peaked at $264,436 in July 2007. From there, with the economic meltdown, prices plummeted, with the median falling below $200,000 in September 2008, at one point falling at an annual rate of 39.27%. The median dipped below $100,000 in 2010 before stabilizing around $110,000 in 2011. As of April 2012, the median home price is $116,000.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20120117074221/http://www.orlrealtor.com/resource/resmgr/statistics_reports/orlando8yearhistory.pdf Metropolitan Orlando Housing Trends Summary]." ''Orlando Regional Realtor Association.'' May 9, 2012. Retrieved on My 17, 2012.</ref>

===Tourism===
{{See also|List of amusement parks in Greater Orlando|List of Orlando, Florida attractions}}

[[File:Magic Kingdom castle.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Cinderella Castle]] at the [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Walt Disney World Resort]]]] One of the main driving forces in Orlando's economy is its tourism industry and the city is one of the leading tourism destinations in the world. Nicknamed the 'Theme Park Capital of the World', the Orlando area is home to [[Walt Disney World Resort]], [[Universal Orlando Resort]], [[SeaWorld Orlando]] and the [[Fun Spot America Theme Parks]]. A record 72 million visitors came to the Orlando region in 2017, making it the top tourist destination in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|last=Russon|first=Gabrielle|title=72 million tourists visited Orlando in 2017, a record number|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=May 10, 2018|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-bz-visit-orlando-tourism-2017-story.html|accessdate=October 22, 2018}}</ref>

The Orlando area features 7 of the 10 most visited [[theme park]]s in North America (5 of the top 10 in the world), as well as the 4 most visited [[water park]]s in the U.S.<ref>[http://www.teaconnect.org/sites/default/files/misc/files/2012_theme_index_combined_1-3_online.pdf 2012 TEA AECOM Themed Index] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127000255/http://teaconnect.org/sites/default/files/misc/files/2012_theme_index_combined_1-3_online.pdf |date=November 27, 2013 }}.'' {{cite web|url=http://www.teaconnect.org/sites/default/files/misc/files/2012_theme_index_combined_1-3_online.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-05-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127000255/http://teaconnect.org/sites/default/files/misc/files/2012_theme_index_combined_1-3_online.pdf |archivedate=November 27, 2013 |df= }}'', May 23, 2014</ref> 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]], [[Disney's Typhoon Lagoon|Typhoon Lagoon]], [[Disney's Blizzard Beach|Blizzard Beach]], and [[Disney Springs]]. [[Universal Orlando]], like Walt Disney World, is a multi-faceted resort comprising [[Universal Studios Florida]], [[Islands of Adventure]], [[Volcano Bay]], and [[Universal CityWalk Orlando|Universal CityWalk]]. [[SeaWorld Orlando]] is a large park that features numerous zoological displays and marine animals alongside an amusement park with roller coasters like [[Mako (roller coaster)|Mako]], [[Manta (SeaWorld Orlando)|Manta]], and [[Kraken (roller coaster)|Kraken]]. The property also comprises more than one park, alongside [[Aquatica Orlando|Aquatica water park]] and [[Discovery Cove]]. [[Fun Spot America Theme Parks|Fun Spot Orlando]] and [[Fun Spot America Theme Parks|Kissimmee]] are more typical amusement parks with big thrills in a small space with roller coasters like [[White Lightning (roller coaster)|White Lightning]] and [[Freedom Flyer]] in Orlando and [[Mine Blower]] and [[Fun Spot America Theme Parks|Rockstar Coaster]] in Kissimmee. Orlando is also home to I-Drive 360 on [[International Drive]] home to the [[Orlando Eye]], [[Madame Tussauds]], and [[Sea Life Centres|Sealife Aquarium]]. Orlando attractions also appeal to many locals who want to enjoy themselves close to home.

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 m<sup>2</sup>) 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.<ref>Bergen, Kathy. [http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2003_3rd/Sep03_ChicagoConventions.html Las Vegas and Orlando Bruising Chicago's Trade Show Business]. ''The [[Chicago Tribune]]'', September 11, 2003</ref>

====Golf====
Numerous golf courses can be found in the city, with the most famous{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} being [[Bay Hill Club and Lodge]], home to the [[Arnold Palmer Invitational]].

==Culture==

===Entertainment and performing arts===
The [[hip hop music]], [[heavy metal music|metal]], rock music, [[reggaeton]] and Latino music scenes are all active within the city. Orlando is known as "Hollywood East" because of numerous movie studios in the area. Major motion picture production was active in the city during the mid-to-late 1990s, but has slowed in the past decade. Probably the most famous film-making moment in the city's history occurred with the implosion of Orlando's previous City Hall for the movie ''[[Lethal Weapon 3]]''. Orlando is now a large production center for television shows, direct-to-video productions, and commercial production.<ref>"What Happened to Hollywood East?" ''Southwest Orlando Bulletin'', July 17, 2004</ref> In early 2011, filmmaker Marlon Campbell constructed A-Match Pictures and Angel Media Studios; a multimillion-dollar film and recording facility that has been added to the list of major studios in the city.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}

Until recently, Walt Disney Feature Animation operated a studio in [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] at the [[Walt Disney World Resort]]. Feature Animation-Florida was primarily responsible for the films ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]'', ''[[Lilo & Stitch]]'', and the early stages of ''[[Brother Bear]]'' and contributed on various other projects. [[Universal Studios Florida]]'s [[Soundstage 21]] is home to [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|TNA Wrestling]]'s flagship show [[TNA Impact!]]. Nickelodeon Studios, which through the 1990s produced hundreds of hours of GAK-filled game shows targeted at children,{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} no longer operates out of Universal Studios Florida. The [[Florida Film Festival]] which takes place in venues throughout the area is one of the most respected regional film festivals in the country and attracts budding filmmakers from around the world. Orlando is very popular among independent filmmakers. Orlando's [[indie film]] scene has been active since Haxan Film's ''[[The Blair Witch Project]]'' (1999) and a few years later with [[Charlize Theron]] winning her [[Academy Award]] for ''[[Monster (2003 film)|Monster]]'' (2003). A Florida state film incentive has also helped increase the number of films being produced in Orlando and the rest of the state.

The Orlando Metropolitan Area is home to a substantial theater population. Several professional and semi-professional houses and many community theaters include the Central Florida Ballet, Orlando Ballet, [[Orlando Shakespeare Theater]], Orlando Repertory Theatre, [[Mad Cow Theatre]], and IceHouse Theatre in [[Mount Dora, Florida|Mount Dora]]. [[Orlando Theatre Project]], closed in 2009. Additionally, both [[University of Central Florida]] and [[Rollins College]] (Winter Park) are home to theater departments that attract an influx of young artists to the area.

The [[Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre]] had hosted national Broadway tours on a regular basis. This venue was built in 1926 and underwent a major renovation in 1974.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoforlando.net/venues/bob-carr/ |title=Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre |work=City of Orlando Venues |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924093846/http://www.cityoforlando.net/venues/bob-carr/ |archivedate=September 24, 2014 |df= }}</ref> While waiting on the completion of Phase II construction of the [[Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts]], the newly designated Bob Carr Theater will continue to host non-Broadway events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/7/30/dr_phillips_center_s.html|title=Dr. Phillips Center's 3-month-out update|work=mynews13.com}}</ref>

The [[Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival]], which draws touring companies from around the world, is hosted in various venues over Orlando's Loch Haven Park every spring. At the festival, there are also readings and fully staged productions of new and unknown plays by local artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://orlandofringe.org/ |title=2010 Orlando Fringe Festival &#124; Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival |publisher=Orlandofringe.org |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref> Also in the spring, there is The Harriett Lake Festival of New Plays, hosted by Orlando Shakespeare Theater.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/playfest/ |title=PLAYFEST! The Harriet Lake Festival of New Plays |publisher=Vroomvroomvroom.com |date= |accessdate=March 19, 2014}}</ref> Founded in 2002, the Orlando Cabaret Festival showcases local, national, and internationally renowned cabaret artist to Mad Cow Theatre in [[Downtown Orlando]] each spring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandocabaret.com/InDash_Display.aspx?PGID=164 |title=About Us – Orlando Cabaret Festival |publisher=Orlandocabaret.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref>

===Local culture===

A substantial amount of the teenage and young adult populations identify as being [[goth]], [[emo]], or [[Punk subculture|punk]].<ref name="Darker Side of Orlando">{{cite web|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-08-08/entertainment/os-tod-caviness-thee-grotto-20130808_1_downtown-orlando-grotto-darker-side|title=Thee Grotto carves out dance floor space in downtown Orlando|work=tribunedigital-orlandosentinel}}</ref> Orlando experienced the [[Second Summer of Love]] between 1991 and 1992 that popularized the subculture surrounding [[electronic dance music]] in Florida.<ref name=Kelemen1998>{{cite web |url=http://www.orlandoweekly.com/orlando/the-florida-winter-had-ju/Content?oid=2259479 |title=Wizards of Aahz: The Florida winter had ju... |last1= Kelemen |first1=Matt |date=September 2, 1998 |website=orlandoweekly.com |publisher=The Orlando Weekly |access-date=November 30, 2015 |quote=Collins could not be aware of it at the time, but those Saturday nights -- eventually known as "Aahz"-- would kick-start an underground culture and spawn countless DJ careers. Orlando would never be the same...By 1991–1992, Orlando experienced its own "summer of love" through the culture that sprang up around the weekend acid-house nights at the Beacham Theatre presided over by Collins and Dave Cannalte, and nurtured by Beacham promoter StaceBass...only New York, San Francisco and L.A. had similar scenes, and they were characterized by warehouse parties. Orlando had a headquarters in the heart of its downtown district...From then on the crowds would refer to the Beacham as "Aahz" no matter what the owners called it.}}</ref> The culture progressed as time went on, starting in 1995 from when alternative-rock band [[Matchbox Twenty]], and pop bands [[NSync]] and [[Backstreet Boys]] originated. Over the years, the intensity of the music increased. In the late 1990s, [[Skrape]], a metal band, was established, shortly followed by the [[screamo]] band [[From First to Last]] as well as the [[alternative metal]] band [[Fireflight]]. In the early 2000s, the heavy metal bands [[Trivium (band)|Trivium]] and [[Mindscar]] formed. In the later 2000s, more screamo bands, such as [[Blood on the Dance Floor (duo)]], [[Sleeping with Sirens]], and [[Broadway (band)]] were established.<ref name="From First to Last Origins">{{cite web|url=http://www.epitaph.com/artists/artist/147/From_First_To_Last|title=From First To Last|author=Epitaph Records|date=March 21, 2006|work=Epitaph Records}}</ref> Major companies, such as [[Hot Topic]] and [[Vans]] have noticed and taken advantage of this. Hot Topic, an emo retailer, established 5 stores in Orlando. The [[Vans Warped Tour]], a concert containing metalcore/screamo/punk bands, takes place in Orlando annually.<ref name="Hot Topic store locations">{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/search/hottopic+orlando/@28.490048,-81.361785,11z/data=!3m1!4b1|title=Google Maps}}</ref><ref name="Vans Warped Tour 2014">{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/festival/3741494+The+Vans+Warped+Tour+2014|title=The Vans Warped Tour 2014|work=last.fm}}</ref>

===Shopping malls===
[[File:The Florida Mall west entrance near Macy's.jpg|thumb|right|The Florida Mall]]
*'''[[The Florida Mall]]''' is the largest mall in Orlando and one of the largest single-story malls in the USA at over {{convert|1849000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. There are over 250 stores, seven anchor department stores, and the Florida Mall Hotel & Conference Center Tower. It is located outside the city proper in unincorporated [[Orange County, Florida|Orange County]].
*'''[[The Mall at Millenia]]''' is a contemporary two-level upscale shopping mall, including the department stores of [[Bloomingdale's]], [[Macy's]], and [[Neiman Marcus]]. The mall covers an area of 1,118,000&nbsp;ft<sup>2</sup> (103,866 m<sup>2</sup>). [[IKEA]] Orlando opened adjacent to the mall on November 14, 2007.
*'''[[Orlando Fashion Square]]''' is located on East Colonial Drive, near [[Downtown Orlando]]. Seritage Growth Properties (NYSE: SRG) is planning a late-summer 2017 completion of a major renovation that will welcome new shops and restaurants to the East Colonial Drive area. In 2017, Sears closed their location at Orlando Fashion Square Mall.

===In popular culture===
The films ''[[The Florida Project]]'', ''[[Ernest Saves Christmas]]'', ''[[Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector]]'', and ''[[Never Back Down]]'' take place in and were filmed entirely in Orlando. ''[[Paper Towns]]'' takes place in the city, but the movie version was filmed in North Carolina. Establishing shots were filmed around Orlando; notably in downtown and along Orange Blossom Trail. ''[[Geostorm]]'' has a scene where Orlando is destroyed by a lightning storm. However, those scenes were filmed in [[New Orleans]]. ''[[Parenthood (film)|Parenthood]]'' was filmed entirely in Orlando, but takes place in St. Louis. ''[[D.A.R.Y.L.]]'' was partially filmed in Orlando; notably the climactic chase scene takes place in downtown Orlando along State Road 408 (East/West Expressway).{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} Scenes were also filmed for ''[[Transformers: Dark of the Moon]]'' at the [[Orlando International Airport]] in early October 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003111357/http://www.wftv.com/news/25239061/detail.html|title='Transformers 3' Begins Filming In Central Fla. - News Story - WFTV Orlando|date=2010-10-03|website=web.archive.org|access-date=2018-12-12}}</ref> Orlando is also the city very prominently featured in the ABC sitcom [[Fresh Off the Boat|''Fresh Off The Boat'']].

Orlando is home to numerous recording studios and producers, and as a result, contributed heavily to the [[Boy Band]] craze of the mid-1990s. The groups [[Backstreet Boys]], [[NSync]], and [[O-Town]] all started in Orlando before becoming nationwide successes. The alternative groups [[Matchbox Twenty]], [[Seven Mary Three]], and [[Alter Bridge]] are from Orlando, as is the Christian hip-hop act [[Group 1 Crew]]. Orlando also has a prominent metal scene, spawning bands such as [[Death (metal band)|Death]] and [[Trivium (band)|Trivium]].

==Sports==
[[File:Amway CENTER6.jpg|thumb|upright|The [[Amway Center]]]]
{{Main|Sports in Orlando, Florida}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ Professional sports teams
|-
!Club
!Sport
!League
!Venue
!Average attendance
!Founded
!Titles
|-
| [[Orlando City SC]]
| Soccer
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Major League Soccer|MLS]]
| [[Orlando City Stadium]]
| align=center | 32,847
| align=center | 2015
| align=center | 0
|-
| [[Orlando Pride]]
| Soccer
| style="text-align:center;"| [[National Women's Soccer League|NWSL]]
| [[Orlando City Stadium]]
| align=center | 4,837
| align=center | 2016
| align=center | 0
|-
| [[Orlando Magic]]
| Basketball
| style="text-align:center;"| [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| [[Amway Center]]
| align=center | 16,785
| align=center | 1989
| align=center | 0
|-
| [[Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]]<ref>[http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2015/05/12/Research-and-Ratings/ECHL-gate.aspx "ECHL Attendance Down 2%; Ontario (CA) Reign Lead In Final Season With League"], May 12, 2015.</ref>
| Ice Hockey
| style="text-align:center;"| [[ECHL]]
| [[Amway Center]]
| align=center | 6,209
| align=center | 2012
| align=center | 0
|-
| [[Florida Fire Frogs]]
| Baseball
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Florida State League|FSL]]
| [[Osceola County Stadium]]
| align=center | 1,308
| align=center | 1994
| align=center | 0
|-
| [[Orlando Apollos]]
| Football
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Alliance of American Football|AAF]]
| [[Spectrum Stadium]]
| align=center | —
| align=center | 2018
| align=center | 0
|-
| [[Orlando Anarchy]]
| Football
| style="text-align:center;"| [[Women's Football Alliance|WFA]]
| [[Trinity Preparatory School]]
| align=center | —
| align=center | 2010
| align=center | 0
|}

Orlando is the home city of two major league professional sports teams: the [[Orlando Magic]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), and [[Orlando City SC]] of [[Major League Soccer]] (MLS).

Orlando has two minor league professional teams: the [[Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]] [[ECHL]] [[ice hockey]] team and the [[Orlando Anarchy]] of the [[Women's Football Alliance]]. Orlando also hosts the [[University of Central Florida]] (UCF) [[UCF Knights|Knights]] college athletics teams, which compete in [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) as a member of the [[American Athletic Conference]] (The American). The original [[Orlando Solar Bears (IHL)|Orlando Solar Bears]] were part of the [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|International Hockey League]] winning the last [[Turner Cup]] championship in 2001, before the league folded. From 1991 to 2016, the city was also home to the [[Orlando Predators]] of the [[Arena Football League]].

In 2016, the [[Orlando Pride]] began to play in the [[National Women's Soccer League]]. Starting in 2017, they will be sharing [[Orlando City Stadium]] with Orlando City.

Orlando's sports teams have collectively won two [[Arena Bowl]]s (1998, 2000), two titles in ice hockey, three titles in [[minor league baseball]], and two titles in soccer.

The city has hosted the [[NBA All-Star Game]] twice: in [[1992 NBA All-Star Game|1992]] at the old [[Orlando Arena]], and in [[2012 NBA All-Star Game|2012]] at the current [[Amway Center]]. Orlando also hosted the 2015 ECHL All-Star Game at Amway Center.

[[Camping World Stadium]] (the former Citrus Bowl stadium) hosts three annual college football [[bowl game]]s: the [[Citrus Bowl (game)|Citrus Bowl]], the [[Russell Athletic Bowl]], and the [[Cure Bowl]]. It also hosted the [[1998 MLS All-Star Game|1998 Major League Soccer All-Star Game]]. Orlando is the host city for the annual [[Florida Classic]], one of the largest [[NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision|FCS]] football classics in the nation. It also began hosting the [[National Football League]]'s [[Pro Bowl]], as well as a series of [[NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision|FBS]] kickoff games called the [[Orlando Kickoff]], in 2016.

Orlando was home to the [[Orlando Renegades]] of the [[United States Football League]] in 1985. The team folded along with the league in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|title = USFL.info – Orlando Renegades|url = http://www.usfl.info/renegades/|website = www.usfl.info|access-date = December 25, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208022919/http://www.usfl.info/renegades/|archive-date = December 8, 2015|dead-url = yes|df = mdy-all}}</ref>

Orlando is home to many notable athletes former and present, including baseball players [[Carlos Peña]], [[Frank Viola]], [[Ken Griffey, Jr.]] and [[Barry Larkin]]; basketball player [[Shaquille O'Neal]]; soccer players [[Alex Morgan]], [[Marta (footballer)|Marta]], and [[Kaká]]; and many golfers, including [[Tiger Woods]], [[Mark O'Meara]] and [[Arnold Palmer]].{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}

The annual [[Community Effort Orlando]] (CEO) is the second-biggest [[fighting game]] tournament of the country. Having grown since its introduction in 2010, the event got over 4,000 attendees from more than 25 different countries in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2016/06/01/3-new-things-coming-to-orlandos-biggest-video-game.html|work=[[Orlando Business Journal]]|title=3 new things coming to Orlando's biggest video game tournament|last=Richardson|first=Matthew|date=June 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331802322815/community-effort-orlando-is-what-it-sounds-like|work=[[Red Bull GmbH|Red Bull]]|title=Community Effort Orlando is What it Sounds Like|last=Alphonse|first=Craig|date=June 23, 2016}}</ref>

In 2018, the [[Orlando Apollos]] of the [[Alliance of American Football]] were announced as the city's professional football team.<ref>{{cite web |title=Get ready for Alliance's Iron, Express, Apollos and Legends |url=https://apnews.com/986f66e688d24fe38b59f7044b2b8d3e |website=AP NEWS |accessdate=16 October 2018 |date=20 September 2018}}</ref>

==Government==
{{main|List of mayors of Orlando, Florida}}
Orlando is governed via the [[Mayor-council system]]. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The six members of the city council are each elected from districts.
{{Infobox UCR
|city_name= Orlando
|year= 2014
|homicide= 15
|rape= 167
|robbery= 620
|aggravated_assault= 1,538
|violent_crime= 2,340
|burglary= 3,342
|larceny_theft= 12,182
|motor_vehicle_theft= 991
|arson= 55
|property_crime= 16,515
|source_url= https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2014/crime-in-the-u.s.-2014/tables/table-8/table-8-by-state/Table_8_Offenses_Known_to_Law_Enforcement_by_Florida_by_City_2014.xls
|source_name= 2014 FBI UCR Data
|notes= 2014 population: 259,675
}}

Mayor: [[Buddy Dyer]]

City Council:
*District 1: Jim Gray
*District 2: Tony Ortiz
*District 3: Robert Stuart
*District 4: Patty Sheehan
*District 5: Regina Hill
*District 6: Samuel Ings

=== Police Brutality Lawsuit Settlements ===
In April, 2015 it was reported that 56 year old June Walker Scott had filed a $4.5 million federal lawsuit against the City of Orlando and certain officers. According to the suit, the city has paid $3.3 million since 2012 to people who have accused officers of excessive force.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-police-brutality-lawsuit-june-scott-20150406-story.html#|title=Woman files $4.5M excessive-force suit against Orlando police|last=|first=|date=|work=|access-date=}}</ref>

==Education==
Public primary and secondary education is handled by [[Orange County Public Schools]]. Some of the private schools include [[Saint James Cathedral School]] (founded 1928), [[Orlando Lutheran Academy]], [[Forest Lake Academy]], [[The First Academy]], [[Ibn Seena Academy]], [[Trinity Preparatory School]], [[Lake Highland Preparatory School]], [[Bishop Moore High School]] and [[Orlando Christian Prep]].

===Area institutions of higher education===
[[File:UCFlibrary.jpg|right|thumb|The [[University of Central Florida]] Library]]
[[File:Full sail university sign.JPG|thumb|upright|Full Sail University]]

====State universities====
*[[University of Central Florida]]
*[[Florida A&M University College of Law]]
*[[Florida State University College of Medicine]]

====State colleges====
*[[Valencia College]]
*[[Seminole State College of Florida]] (Sanford, Oviedo, & Altamonte Springs)

====Private universities, colleges, and others====
{{Col-begin}}
* [[Adventist University of Health Sciences]], Main Campus
* [[Ana G. Méndez University System]]
* [[Anthem College]], Orlando Campus
* [[Asbury Theological Seminary]], Orlando Campus
* [[Belhaven University]], Orlando Campus
* [[Columbia College (Missouri)|Columbia College]], Orlando Campus
* [[Connecticut School of Broadcasting]], Orlando Campus
* [[DeVry University]], Orlando campus
* [[Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law]], [[Barry University]]
* [[Everest University]], Orlando campus
* [[Florida Institute of Technology]], Orlando campus
* [[Full Sail University]] (in Winter Park)
* [[Herzing College]] (in Winter Park)
* [[Hindu University of America]]
* [[International Academy of Design & Technology-Orlando]]
* [[ITT Technical Institute]], Lake Mary Campus
* [[Keiser University]], Orlando Campus
* [[Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts]], Orlando Campus
* [[McBurney College]] (Orlando Campus)
* [[Nova Southeastern University]], Orlando campus
* [[Palm Beach Atlantic University]], Orlando Campus
* [[Reformed Theological Seminary]], Orlando campus
* [[Remington College]] of Nursing (in Lake Mary)
* [[Rollins College]] (in Winter Park)
* [[Southern Technical College]]
* [[Strayer University]], Orlando campus
* [[University of Florida]] [[University of Florida College of Pharmacy|College of Pharmacy]] (in Apopka)

====Supplementary schools====
The [[Orlando Hoshuko]], a [[hoshuko|weekend supplementary school for Japanese children]], is held at the [[Lake Highland Preparatory School]] in Orlando.<ref>"[http://orlandohoshuko.org/ja/Map.html 地図] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216112431/http://orlandohoshuko.org/ja/Map.html |date=February 16, 2015 }}." [[Orlando Hoshuko]]. Retrieved on February 16, 2015. "住所：901 Highland Ave. Orlando, Florida 32803 "</ref>
{{Col-end}}

==Media==
{{see also|List of newspapers in Florida|List of radio stations in Florida|List of television stations in Florida}}

===Television===
Orlando is the center of the 19th-largest [[media market]] in the United States according to [[Nielsen Media Research]] as of the 2010–11 TV season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/media_entertainment/number-of-u-s-tv-households-climbs-by-one-million-for-2010-11-tv-season/ |title=Number of U.S. TV Households Climbs by One Million for 2010–11 TV Season &#124; Nielsen Wire |publisher=Blog.nielsen.com |date=August 27, 2010 |accessdate=December 10, 2011}}</ref> Three major network affiliates operate in the city: [[WKMG-TV]] 6 ([[CBS]]), [[WFTV]] 9 ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]) and [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] [[Owned-and-operated station|O&O]] [[WOFL]] 35. WFTV and WOFL operate additional stations in Orlando, with WFTV operating independent station [[WRDQ]] 27 and WOFL operating [[MyNetworkTV]] [[Owned-and-operated station|O&O]] [[WRBW]] 65. The market's [[NBC]] affiliate, [[WESH]] 2, is licensed to [[Daytona Beach, Florida|Daytona Beach]] and also owns and operates [[The CW|CW]] affiliate [[WKCF]] 18, licensed to [[Clermont, Florida|Clermont]]; both stations operate out of studios based in nearby [[Eatonville, Florida|Eatonville]].

The city is also served by three [[Public broadcasting|public television]] stations: [[WUCF-TV]] 24, the market's [[PBS]] member station operated by the [[University of Central Florida]], and two independent stations: [[Daytona State College]]'s [[WDSC-TV]] 15 in [[New Smyrna Beach, Florida|New Smyrna Beach]] and [[Eastern Florida State College]]'s [[WEFS]] 68 in [[Cocoa, Florida|Cocoa]].

Four Spanish-language channels are licensed in Orlando, including [[UniMás]] O&O [[WOTF-DT]] 43 and [[Telemundo]] affiliate [[WTMO-CD]] 31. [[Univision]] affiliate [[WVEN-TV]] 26, which operates WOTF-DT under a [[Local marketing agreement|LMA]], is based in Daytona Beach. Several English-language stations also operate Spanish-language subchannels.

The city's cable system is run by [[Bright House Networks]], which merged with [[Charter Communications|Charter]] in May 2016, and is now called Spectrum. Spectrum operates [[News 13]], a cable-exclusive regional 24/7 news channel which covers Central Florida news, including that of Orlando.

Orlando is also home to [[NBC Sports]]' [[Golf Channel]] cable television network. Facilities, including studios and administration, are located at 7580 Golf Channel Drive, just blocks from the [[International Drive|I-Drive]] tourism corridor.

===Radio===
25 [[AM broadcasting|AM]] and 28 [[FM broadcasting|FM]] stations transmit to the Orlando area. Some of the country's biggest radio station owners have major presences in Orlando, including [[iHeartMedia]], [[Cox Communications]], and [[CBS Radio]]. One of the country's notable [[internet radio]] stations, D100 Radio, was founded in Orlando.

===Newspapers===
Orlando's primary newspaper, the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'', is the second-largest newspaper in Florida by circulation. The ''Sentinel'''s Spanish language edition, ''[[El Sentinel (Orlando)|El Sentinel]]'', is the largest Spanish language newspaper in Florida.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mondonewspapers.com/usa/circulation/florida.html |title=Highest Circulation Florida Newspapers – the biggest newspapers in Florida at Mondo Times |publisher=Mondonewspapers.com |accessdate=December 10, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819045407/http://www.mondonewspapers.com/usa/circulation/florida.html |archivedate=August 19, 2010 |df= }}</ref>

The city is also served by the following newspapers:
* ''[[Orlando Business Journal]]''
* ''[[Orlando Weekly]]''

==Transport==
Orlando uses the [[Lynx (Orlando)|Lynx]] bus system as well as a downtown bus service called Lymmo. Orlando and other neighboring communities are also serviced by [[SunRail]], a local commuter rail line that began service in 2014.

===Airports===
[[File:Orlando_International_Airport_terminal_from_arriving_airplane.jpg|thumb|right|Orlando International Airport]]
* The '''[[Orlando International Airport]] (MCO)''' is Orlando's primary airport and the busiest airport in the state of Florida. The airport serves as a hub and a focus hub city for [[Frontier Airlines]], [[JetBlue Airways]] and [[Southwest Airlines]]. The airport serves as a major international gateway for the mid-Florida region with major foreign carriers including [[Aer Lingus]], [[Aeroméxico]], [[Air Canada]], [[British Airways]], [[Emirates Airlines]], [[Norwegian Air Shuttle]], [[TAM Airlines|TAM]] and [[Virgin Atlantic]].
* The '''[[Orlando Sanford International Airport]] (SFB)''' in nearby suburb of [[Sanford, Florida]] serves as a secondary airport for the region and is a focus city airport for [[Allegiant Air]].
* The '''[[Orlando Executive Airport]] (ORL)''' near Downtown Orlando serves primarily executive jets, flight training schools, and general small-aircraft aviation.

===Roads===
Orlando, like other major cities, experiences gridlock and traffic jams daily, especially when commuting from the northern suburbs in [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole County]] south to downtown and from the eastern suburbs of Orange County to Downtown. Heavy traffic is also common in the tourist district south of downtown. Rush hours (peak traffic hours) are usually weekday mornings (after 7&nbsp;am) and afternoons (after 4&nbsp;pm). There are various traffic advisory resources available for commuters including downloading the Tele-Traffic App (available for [[iPhone]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]]), dialing [[5-1-1]] (a free automated traffic advisory system provided by the [[Florida Department of Transportation]], available by dialing 511), visiting the Florida 511 Web site, listening to traffic reports on major radio stations, and reading electronic traffic advisory displays (also called [[Variable-message signs]], information is also provided by [[FDOT]]) on the major highways and roadways.

====Major highways====
[[File:Orlando, Florida - Downtown from I-4 East.jpg|thumb|300px|I-4 eastbound approaching Downtown Orlando]]
* [[File:I-4.svg|25x20px]] [[Interstate 4]] is Orlando's primary interstate highway. Orlando is the second-largest city served by one interstate, surpassed only by [[Austin, Texas]], and is the largest metropolitan area in the US serviced by a single interstate. The interstate begins in [[Tampa, Florida]], and travels northeast across the midsection of the state directly through Orlando, ending in [[Daytona Beach]]. As a key connector to Orlando's suburbs, downtown, area attractions, and both coasts, I-4 commonly experiences heavy traffic and congestion. I-4 is also known as State Road 400.
* [[File:Toll Florida 408.svg|20px]] [[Florida State Road 408|East-West Expressway]] (Toll 408) is a major east–west highway managed by the [[Central Florida 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]] and Waterford Lakes area. The highway also intersects with the [[Florida State Road 417|Central Florida Greeneway]] (Toll 417) and [[Florida's Turnpike]]. By late 2006, the I-4/408 interchange had almost completed undergoing a major overhaul that creates multiple fly-over bridges and connectors to ease heavy traffic. The agency recently{{When|date=February 2012}} finished construction of lane expansions, new toll plazas, and sound barriers along the roadway, though much work remains to be done.
* [[File:Toll Florida 528.svg|20px]] [[Florida State Road 528|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.
* [[File:Toll Florida 417.svg|20px]] [[Florida State Road 417|Central Florida Greenway]] (Toll 417) is a key highway for East Orlando, the highway is also managed by the [[Central Florida Expressway Authority]] and serves as Orlando's eastern beltway. The highway intersects with the [[Florida State Road 408|East-West Expressway]] (Toll 408), the [[Florida State Road 528|Beachline Expressway]] (Toll 528), and begins and ends on Interstate 4.
* [[File:Toll Florida 429.svg|20px]] [[Florida State Road 429|Daniel Webster Western Beltway]] (Toll 429) serves as Orlando's western beltway. The highway serves as a "back entrance" to Walt Disney World from Orlando's northwestern suburbs including Apopka via [[Florida's Turnpike]].
* [[File:Toll Florida 414.svg|20px]] [[Florida State Road 414|John Land Apopka Expressway]] (Toll 414) A new east to west tollway serving northern Orlando. Phase I opened on February 14, 2009 and extends from [[U.S. Route 441 in Florida|US 441]] to [[Florida State Road 429|State Road 429]]. Phase II will link SR 429 to US 441 several miles west of the current SR 429 intersection.
* [[File:Florida's Turnpike shield.svg|25x20px]] [[Florida's Turnpike]] (Toll 91) is a major highway that connects northern Florida with Orlando and terminates in Miami.

===Rail===
The Orlando area is served by one through railroad. The line, now known as the Central Florida Rail Corridor (CFRC), was previously known as the "A" line (formerly the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad]]'s main line). The line was purchased from [[CSX Transportation]] by the State of Florida in 2013 and is now used by [[SunRail]], the Central Florida commuter rail system. Some freight spurs still exist off of the line, which are operated by the [[Florida Central Railroad (current)|Florida Central Railroad]]. [[Amtrak]] passenger service runs along CFRC. See also [[:File:Orlando area railroads.png|a map of these railroads]].

[[File:Orlando Amtrak Station Platform.JPG|thumb|right|Platform-side, [[Orlando (Amtrak station)|Orlando Amtrak Station]]]]
[[Amtrak]] intercity [[Passenger train|passenger rail]] service operates from the [[Orlando (Amtrak station)|Orlando Amtrak Station]] south of downtown. The [[Mission Revival Style architecture|Mission Revival-style]] station has been in continuous use since 1927,<ref>Mulligan, M. "Railroad Depots of Central Florida", page 42. Arcadia Publishing, 2008.</ref> first for the [[Atlantic Coast Line Railroad|Atlantic Coast Line]], then the [[Seaboard Coast Line Railroad]] (signage for which is still displayed over the station's main entrance). Amtrak's ''[[Silver Meteor]]'' and ''[[Silver Star (Amtrak)|Silver Star]]'' service Orlando four times daily, twice bound for points north to [[New York Penn Station|New York City]] and twice bound for points south to [[Miami (Amtrak station)|Miami]]. Orlando also serves as a transfer hub for Amtrak [[Thruway Motorcoach]] bus service. Orlando Station has the highest Amtrak ridership in the state, with the exception of the ''[[Auto Train]]'' depot located in nearby [[Sanford (Amtrak station)|Sanford]].<ref>[http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/factsheets/FLORIDA09.pdf "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2009".] [http://www.amtrak.com/ ''Amtrak'']. Retrieved February 2, 2010.</ref>

Historically, Orlando's other major railroad stations have included:
* [[Church Street Station (Orlando)|Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Orlando station]] (now Church Street Station, a commercial development)
* [[Orlando (SAL station)|Seaboard Air Line Railroad Orlando station]] (Central Avenue Station; 1898–1955.)

====Commuter rail====
{{Main|SunRail}}
[[File:SunRail train leaving Winter Park Station.JPG|thumb|right|A southbound SunRail train leaving Winter Park Station]]
In 2005, federal and state funding was granted for the establishment of [[SunRail]], a local [[commuter rail]] service, to operate on the former CSX "A" line tracks between [[DeLand, Florida|DeLand]] and [[Poinciana, Florida|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. Federal and state funds covered approximately 80% of the estimated $400 million cost for track modifications and construction of stations along the route. The counties involved approved local matching funds in 2007 and the line was originally projected to begin operations in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunrail.com/ |title=A Better Way To Go |publisher=SunRail |date= |accessdate=August 2, 2014}}</ref> However, the project was ultimately voted down by Florida State Senate in 2008 and again in 2009 due to an amendment that would have approved a $200 million insurance policy for the system. Although there had been growing concern the system would be scrapped, a deadline extension combined with a new insurance arrangement with CSX brought new hope that SunRail will be completed after all.<ref>[http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-sunrail-commuter-legislature-070209,0,7151760.story] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704013658/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-sunrail-commuter-legislature-070209%2C0%2C7151760.story|date=July 4, 2009}}</ref> In a special session in December 2009, the Florida Legislature approved commuter rail for Florida, which also enabled high-speed rail [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] funding. SunRail began passenger service on May 1, 2014. Phase I of the rail system runs from [[DeBary, Florida|DeBary]] to Sand Lake Road in South Orlando. Phase II, which isn't expected to be completed until 2018, will connect from DeBary and continue north to [[DeLand, Florida|DeLand]], as well as extend from Sand Lake Road in Orlando south to [[Poinciana, Florida|Poinciana]]. Attempts to establish a smaller [[light rail]] service for the Orlando area were also considered at one time,{{when|date=October 2013}} but were also met with much resistance.

===={{Anchor|High speed rail}}High-speed rail====
{{Main|Florida High Speed Rail}}
On January 28, 2010, President [[Barack Obama]] said that Florida would be receiving $1.25 billion to start the construction of a statewide high-speed rail system with Orlando as its central hub. The first stage would have connected Orlando and Tampa, Florida and was expected to be completed by 2014. The second stage was to connect Orlando and Miami, Florida.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2010/01/25/daily33.html?surround=lfn | first=Michael | last=Hinman | title=High-speed rail details show 16 Tampa-Orlando round trips | date=January 28, 2010}}</ref> The project was canceled by Gov. Rick Scott in 2011, and on March 4, 2011, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously turned down the request of two state senators to force Scott to accept federal funding for the project.

A privately funded initiative known as ''[[All Aboard Florida]]'', which would provide [[high-speed rail]] service from Miami to Orlando, was announced in March 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboardflorida.com/facts/index.html |title=Brightline Book Rides & Enjoy Florida Train Travel |accessdate=2015-02-16 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209031734/http://www.allaboardflorida.com/facts/index.html |archivedate=February 9, 2015 |df= }}</ref> Now known as ''Brightline'', the train currently runs from [[Fort Lauderdale]] to [[West Palm Beach]] with service to [[MiamiCentral]] expected to start in early May 2018. The Orlando extension will include 40 miles of new railway track and terminate at the new [[Orlando International Airport]] [[Orlando International Airport Intermodal Terminal|South Intermodal Center]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Orlando|url=https://gobrightline.com/orlando/|website=Brightline|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref> Service to Orlando is slated to be launched in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rodriguez|first1=Rene|title=The massive station is rising. But the train service is not quite ready to roll|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article165962727.html|website=Miami Herald|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref>

===Bus===
[[File:Lynx 102 bus Orlando.jpg|thumb|right|Lynx bus on the Route 102 line in Orlando]]
[[Lynx (Orlando)|Lynx]] provides local transit service covering a five-county area: [[Orange County, Florida|Orange]], [[Seminole County, Florida|Seminole]], [[Osceola County, Florida|Osceola]], Polk, and [[Volusia County, Florida|Volusia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golynx.com/?id=3 |title=The Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority—LYNX |publisher=Golynx.com |date= |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.golynx.com/news-events/news_detail.stml?portalProcess_dd_0_1_1=showPublicPosting&calendar_entry_id=1608 |title=Lake County to End Commuter Contract to LYNX |publisher=Golynx.com |date=August 29, 2013}}</ref>

[[Greyhound Lines]] offers intercity bus service from Orlando to multiple locations across the country. The Orlando Greyhound Station is located west of Downtown Orlando.

===Taxi===
Orlando is served by a collection of independently owned taxi companies. In downtown Orlando, taxis can be hailed on a regular basis. Taxis are also available in and around the Amway Center, Orlando Convention Center, and all major attractions/theme parks. Orlando also has service from car sharing companies like Uber and Lyft, which offers service at all airports.

===Airport shuttles===
Transportation between the Orlando International Airport and various locations in and around Orlando are provided by airport shuttle services. Several shuttles operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Orlando, Florida}}

==Sister cities==
{{See also|List of sister cities in Florida}}
Orlando has nine international sister cities as listed by the City of Orlando Office of International Affairs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityoforlando.net/mayor/international-affairs/ |title=City of Orlando International Affairs |publisher=Cityoforlando.net |accessdate=November 17, 2014}}</ref>

*{{flagdeco|ESP}} [[Valladolid]], [[Province of Valladolid|Valladolid]], [[Castile and León]], Spain
*{{flagdeco|MEX}} [[Monterrey]], [[Nuevo León]], Mexico
*{{flagdeco|FRA}} [[Marne-la-Vallée]], [[Île-de-France]], France
*{{flagdeco|BRA}} [[Curitiba]], [[Paraná (state)|Paraná]], Brazil
*{{flagdeco|JPN}} [[Urayasu, Chiba|Urayasu]], [[Chiba Prefecture|Chiba]], Japan
*{{flagdeco|ISL}} [[Reykjanesbær]], Iceland
*{{flagdeco|ROC}} [[Tainan]], Taiwan
*{{flagdeco|PRC}} [[Guilin]], [[Guangxi]], People's Republic of China
*{{flagdeco|RUS}} [[Orenburg]], Russia

===Foreign consulates===
Given Orlando's status as a busy international tourist destination and growing industrial and commercial base, there are several foreign consulates and honorary consulates in Orlando including Argentina, Colombia, Czech Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the Ivory Coast. As a result, Orlando now has the second-highest number of foreign consulates in Florida next to Miami.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-in/UnitedStates |title=Foreign Embassies and Consulates in United States |publisher=Embassiesabroad.com |date=September 15, 1999 |accessdate=November 17, 2012}}</ref> The British Government operated a Consulate from 1994 to 2014 when all services transferred to the British Consulate General in Miami.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/changes-to-uk-government-representation-in-orlando-florida |title=Changes to UK government representation in Orlando, Florida – News articles |publisher=GOV.UK |date=January 29, 2014 |accessdate=August 2, 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|LGBT|Florida|United States|Terrorism}}
* [[List of mayors of Orlando]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Orlando, Florida#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Orlando, Florida}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=Orlando|Orlando, Florida}}
* {{Official website|http://www.cityoforlando.net/ }}
* {{dmoz|Regional/North_America/United_States/Florida/Localities/O/Orlando}}

{{Geographic location
|title = '''Greater Orlando Metropolitan Area'''
|Northwest = [[Apopka, Florida|Apopka]], [[Astatula, Florida|Astatula]], [[Mount Dora, Florida|Mount Dora]], [[Eustis, Florida|Eustis]], [[Tavares, Florida|Tavares]], [[Leesburg, Florida|Leesburg]], {{nowrap|[[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]]}}
|North = [[Eatonville, Florida|Eatonville]], [[Maitland, Florida|Maitland]], [[Altamonte Springs, Florida|Altamonte Springs]], [[Longwood, Florida|Longwood]], [[Lake Mary, Florida|Lake Mary]], [[Sanford, Florida|Sanford]], [[Deltona, Florida|Deltona]], [[DeBary, Florida|DeBary]], [[Orange City, Florida|Orange City]], [[DeLand, Florida|DeLand]]
|Northeast = [[Winter Park, Florida|Winter Park]], [[Casselberry, Florida|Casselberry]], [[Oviedo, Florida|Oviedo]], [[Winter Springs, Florida|Winter Springs]], [[Daytona Beach, Florida|Daytona Beach]], [[New Smyrna Beach, Florida|New Smyrna Beach]], [[Ormond Beach, Florida|Ormond Beach]]
|West = [[Windermere, Florida|Windermere]], [[Ocoee, Florida|Ocoee]], [[Winter Garden, Florida|Winter Garden]], [[Clermont, Florida|Clermont]], [[Bushnell, Florida|Bushnell]]
|Centre = Orlando
|East = [[Union Park, Florida|Union Park]], [[Avalon Park, Florida|Avalon Park]], [[Chuluota, Florida|Chuluota]], [[Bithlo, Florida|Bithlo]], [[Christmas, Florida|Christmas]], [[Titusville, Florida|Titusville]], [[Cocoa Beach, Florida|Cocoa Beach]], [[Cape Canaveral, Florida|Cape Canaveral]]
|Southwest = [[Lake Buena Vista, Florida|Lake Buena Vista]], [[Celebration, Florida|Celebration]], [[Davenport, Florida|Davenport]], [[Winter Haven, Florida|Winter Haven]], [[Lakeland, Florida|Lakeland]], [[Haines City, Florida|Haines City]]
|South = [[Edgewood, Florida|Edgewood]], [[Belle Isle, Florida|Belle Isle]], [[Kissimmee, Florida|Kissimmee]], [[Poinciana, Florida|Poinciana]]
|Southeast = [[Saint Cloud, Florida|Saint Cloud]], [[Harmony, Florida|Harmony]], [[Holopaw, Florida|Holopaw]], [[Kenansville, Florida|Kenansville]], [[Yeehaw Junction, Florida|Yeehaw Junction]], [[Melbourne, Florida|Melbourne]], [[Palm Bay, Florida|Palm Bay]]
}}
{{Navboxes
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[[Category:Orlando, Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Florida]]
[[Category:Cities in Orange County, Florida]]
[[Category:University towns in the United States]]
[[Category:Cities in the Greater Orlando]]
[[Category:County seats in Florida]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1875]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Florida]]

Revision as of 15:23, 17 January 2019

what up

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