Jacksonville is a city located in the North - East of Florida. The city lies on a huge territory of nearly 874.3 square miles. This makes Jacksonville the largest city in the continental United States by area, only a few cities in Alaska, due to the wide geographic borders have a large area. The population of Jacksonville 842,00 people. More than 1.3 million people live within the Jacksonville Metropolitan area. As of the end of 2010, Jacksonville is among the ten fastest growing cities in the United States.
Jacksonville was named after Andrew Jackson - Governor of Florida and the 7th President of the United States. The city was nicknamed "Jax".
The territory of the present Jacksonville was discovered by Spanish settlers in 1513 but remained largely deserted until the arrival of the French, who in 1564 founded Fort Caroline. Later, the Fort was destroyed by the Spaniards, who gained control over these territories. Finally, after a short period of British rule, the area was ceded to the United States. By 1859, Jacksonville was granted city status and had the largest port in Florida, through which wood and cotton were transported.
The location of Jacksonville on a navigable river near the Atlantic ocean contributed to the growth of the city and the development of industry in the region. The deepwater port is the largest in the South and the second largest on the East coast of the United States. A balanced and diversified economy is based on manufacturing, Finance, insurance, Biomedicine, information services, ship repair and handling industries, and tourism. At the same time, the largest employer in the region is the military, with several large bases nearby. In particular, to the North of Jacksonville is a huge naval base Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, where the fleet of submarines with ballistic missiles on Board. Just 20 km from downtown at the mouth of the St. John's river is an important naval base Naval Station Mayport, which is based on the 4th U.S. Navy.
Popular places in the center are the Jacksonville Landing complex and the waterfront part of the Jacksonville Riverwalks. Landing-a two-level complex of glass and steel with an orange roof, located on the North Bank of the St. John's river. The complex consists of shops, restaurants and entertainment areas.
A few steps from the North promenade is one of the city's largest museums - the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, also known as MOCA Jacksonville.
On the South Promenade in the St. Johns River Park is set Friendship Fountain - one of the most recognizable and popular attractions for locals and tourists in Jacksonville. When the fountain was built in 1965, it was positioned as "the tallest and largest fountain in the world". In 2010-2011, the Park and the fountain are seriously modernized. Also on the South promenade is one of the most visited museums of Jacksonville - the Museum of Science & History or MOSH.
The Jacksonville's Main Street Bridge, which crosses the river in the heart of downtown, is one of the city's most recognizable symbols. It is a vertical-lift bridge, which means that the entire middle part of the bridge rises over the lifting towers to allow high vessels to pass over the river. In addition to the four lanes, the bridge has pedestrian sidewalks, making it popular with runners and pedestrians.
Unlike most of the rest of Florida, the coastline near Jacksonville remains relatively untouched. The sandy beaches of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville beach are ideal for walks and relaxing. Sports fishing, boating, and water sports are also available.
To the South-West from the city center of Jacksonville is the Amusement Park Adventure Landing. On the Atlantic coast in Jacksonville Beach is also a water Park Adventure Landing Shipwreck Island.
The relatively small number of people living in the region has influenced the fact that Jacksonville is home to only one professional club, serving in the main sports leagues of the country. The Jacksonville Jaguars have been representing Jacksonville in the National Football League since 1995 and playing at the EverBank Field open-air stadium in The city center.
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