Orlando

About this city

Also known as: The City Beautiful / Theme Park Capital of the World

Orlando is a world-renowned city and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, centrally located in the heart of the Florida peninsula. Originally incorporated in 1875 as a quiet citrus-growing hub and cattle ranching frontier, the city underwent a monumental economic explosion in 1971 with the opening of Walt Disney World, transforming it into the 'Theme Park Capital of the World.' Geographically, Orlando's landscape is defined by dozens of scenic freshwater lakes, lush subtropical foliage, and a massive, tourist-centric sprawl. Beyond its legendary global entertainment resorts, Orlando has grown into a sophisticated metropolis boasting a booming tech industry, major aviation and aerospace research facilities, and the second-largest university campus in the United States.