Welcome to Northeast Florida
Jacksonville Florida is a rapidly growing metropolitan city in North East Florida. It is the largest city area wise in the United States, making it ideal for its rapid expansion. Residents here enjoy a great history, beautiful natural resources, amazing year round climate, and a thriving economy. The attractive combination of elements drives people here by the thousands annually.
Located on Florida’s First Coast, Jacksonville is centered on the banks of the St. Johns River, about 25 miles south of Georgia. It’s beaches communities sit along the Atlantic coast and the Inter coastal waterways. With many waterways throughout used for transportation and recreation, it’s no doubt we are a Watertown.
Jacksonville is also the back drop to a major military, civilian, and commercial water port. Home of two United States Naval Bases, Jacksonville has the third largest military presence in the United States. With its huge military presence, Jacksonville’s economic state is thriving adding $7.8 billion annually to our communities. Other economic factors include banking, insurance, healthcare, logistics, and tourism. Fortune 500 Companies that call Jacksonville home include Fidelity National Financial, CSX Corporation, and Winn Dixie.
Although much of Jacksonville is urban, this sprawling northeastern Florida city also has nature and wildlife preserves, historical residential neighborhoods, and top award winning gold courses. Attractions in “JAX” as the locals call it range from art, history, and science museums to Budweiser Brewery tours, from Concerts at Metropolitan park along the St. Johns River to the Jacksonville Zoo. The Jacksonville Jaguars bring out the cities sport fans and the Times Union center for Performing Arts brings out our cities aristocrats. The cities beaches offer soft sand and warm water perfect for swimming, surfing, or kayaking.
Jacksonville operates the largest urban park system in the United States, providing facilities and services at more than 337 locations on more than 80,000 acres located throughout the city. Jacksonville enjoys natural beauty from the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean. Many parks provide access for people to boat, swim, fish, sail, Jet Ski, surf and water ski. Several parks around the city have received international recognition.
Jacksonville is home to a number of institutions of higher education. The University of North Florida (UNF), opened in 1972, is a public institution and a member of the State University System of Florida. Jacksonville University (JU) is a private institution founded in 1934. Edward Waters College, established in 1866, is the oldest college in Jacksonville and the state’s oldest historically black college. Florida State College at Jacksonville is a state college and offers two-year associate’s degrees as well as some four-year bachelor’s degrees. The University of Florida also has its second campus of the J. Hillis Miller Health Science Center in Jacksonville.
Other colleges and universities in Jacksonville include Florida Coastal School of Law and Jones College. Also in the area are St. Johns River State College, a state college with campuses in Clay, St. Johns, and Putnam Counties, and Flagler College in St. Augustine.