Jacksonville is the most populous city in Florida and the largest city by area in the state of Florida.
Jacksonville is known as the “River City” because it is located on the banks of the St. Johns River, one of North America’s few rivers that flows north rather than south.
Because of its consolidation with Duval County in 1968, Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States. The city and county governments merged to form a unified government.
Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a National Football League (NFL) professional football team. The team plays its home games at TIAA Bank Field, which has the world’s largest video display board.
Jacksonville’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and numerous waterways provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The city has over 80,000 acres of parks and miles of beautiful coastline, making it an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.
Jacksonville’s sister cities are Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Murmansk, Russia; Changwon, South Korea; Nantes, France; Yingkou, China; Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa; Curitiba, Brazil & San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A devastating fire razed much of downtown Jacksonville in 1901. The fire destroyed over 2,368 buildings, displacing approximately 10,000 people. The city was rebuilt with modern architecture and a unique blend of new and old structures.
A popular riverfront mall and entertainment complex, the Jacksonville Landing. It closed in 2019 after being a significant landmark for several decades, and there are plans to redevelop the area into a new riverfront district.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is regarded as one of the best zoos in the United States. It spans 117 acres and is home to over 2,000 animals, including rare and exotic species.
The United States military is Jacksonville’s largest employer, with an annual economic impact of approximately $6.1 billion.
People from Jacksonville are sometimes called “Jacksonvillians” or “Jaxsons”
The Gate River Run, one of the largest 15K road races in the United States, is held in Jacksonville. The race, which has been held annually since 1978, attracts elite runners from all over the world.
Jacksonville’s Original Name was Cowford.
Along the Atlantic coast, Jacksonville has 22 miles of beautiful sandy beaches. Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach are all popular beach destinations. Swimming, surfing, and fishing are among the activities available on these beaches.
Little Talbot Island State Park is a pristine barrier island with untouched beaches and maritime forests located just outside of Jacksonville. It has hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Jacksonville (Jax) is Florida’s youngest city, with an average age of 36 – the state of Florida’s average age is 42.
Jacksonville has a population of 949,611 people as of 2020, making it the most populous city in the Southeastern United States and the largest in the South outside of Texas.
With its historic neighbourhoods, oak-lined streets, and antebellum architecture, Jacksonville exudes Southern charm. Riverside and Avondale have beautifully preserved early-twentieth-century homes.
The World of Nations Celebration is an annual event held in Jacksonville that showcases the diverse cultures and traditions of over 30 nations. International cuisine, music, dance, and crafts are available to visitors.
Museum of Science and History (MOSH): The Jacksonville Museum of Science and History is an interactive museum with exhibits on science, history, and astronomy. It has a planetarium, a hands-on science area, and a 19th-century steamboat replica.