Orlando, Metropolitan center in Central Florida, United States
Orlando is a city in Orange County in central Florida, spreading across an expansive territory with numerous lakes and urban green spaces. The area includes several separate districts connected by highways and wide roads, with low-rise development dominating most zones while only a few taller buildings stand in the downtown core.
The settlement began in 1843 near Fort Gatlin as a small community in the years following the Second Seminole War. The name was officially adopted in 1857 to honor soldier Orlando Reeves, and the city grew rapidly during the 20th century with the arrival of the aerospace industry and later the theme parks.
Local residents live across neighborhoods that range from residential suburbs to dense business districts, with many people working in the tourism and hospitality industries. Public parks and lakefront promenades host families gathering for picnics, while downtown districts hold regular street festivals and food truck events that reflect the diverse culinary scene.
The international airport sits about 6 miles southeast of downtown and welcomes millions of visitors annually with connections to cities across the Americas, Europe and beyond. Most districts are easiest to reach by car since public transport is limited, and the hot humid climate from May through September can make outdoor activities challenging during midday.
The area hosts several large theme park complexes including Walt Disney World, which covers roughly 75 square kilometers southwest of the city center. Less known is that the region holds more than 100 natural lakes within city limits, many surrounded by residential neighborhoods and offering opportunities for boating and fishing.
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