Orlando, Florida, the county seat of Orange County, is located in the central part of the state. The city is mostly known for the Disney World Theme Parks and other tourist attractions, which make up the bulk of the city's economy. Its sunny and easy way of life attracts many to move here, keeping Orlando movers busy in all seasons.
Orlando's economy is now mostly driven by the huge tourism industry in the area. The bulk of the tourism is from Disney World, but several other attractions also bring in revenue. The city was once a hub for Florida citrus fruits, but today electronics and aerospace industries have mainly taken over as other parts of Orlando's economy. Additional companies with a major office or headquarters in the area include Lockheed-Martin, IBM, Sprint, and Oracle Corporation. Also the Kennedy Space Center and other space and military locations employ many of the city's residents.
History:
Orlando is believed to have gotten its name from Orlando Reeves, who died in the nearby area in the early 1800s. Aaron Jernigan was the first permanent settler of the area in 1842. Additional people began to come to the area starting in the 1850's. The city suffered financially during the Civil War because of trade routes that were cut off. However, prosperity returned during Reconstruction and the city was incorporated in 1875. 1875 to 1895 was known as Orlando's "Gilded Era" because it's citrus industry exploded and it became the center for the state.
The city is close to many military establishments and after World War II many people stayed in the area. Additionally, as Disney World opened in 1971, the population once again grew dramatically as did the economy of the city.
Tourism:
Orlando is an integral part of the city's economy with Disney World being the main reason for this. Besides the Walt Disney World Resort, other major tourist destinations include Seaworld Orlando and the Universal Orlando Resort. All three of these attractions include numerous parks offering guests a range of activities from amusement rides to water parks to wildlife exhibits.
Other commonly visited places include the Hard Rock Hotel, Gatorland, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, and the Orlando Museum of Art. The major sports team of the area is the Orlando Magic of the NBA, among several other smaller professional and collegiate teams. The Orlando International Airport is within ten miles of the city.