Okaloosa County, Administrative county in Northwest Florida, United States
Okaloosa County sits in the northwest corner of Florida, running from the Gulf of Mexico northward toward Alabama and covering coastal towns, forested areas, and a section of Choctawhatchee National Forest. The area includes several smaller communities along Route 98, stretching from beaches near Fort Walton Beach to rolling terrain further inland.
The county formed in 1917 when portions of two neighboring counties were separated to create a new administrative region, taking a name from the Choctaw language. Military installations shaped the area's growth starting in the 1930s, when the first air bases were established.
The region maintains strong military connections through Eglin Air Force Base, Duke Field, and Hurlburt Field, which influence local traditions and community life.
The area is accessed via Route 98 running parallel to the coast, while smaller roads lead further inland. Coastal towns become crowded in summer, while northern sections remain quieter and are used more by locals.
The county contains three military air bases and borders four different counties while incorporating sections of Choctawhatchee National Forest and Gulf Islands National Seashore.
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