Central Florida

For the college, see University of Central Florida.

Central Florida is the central region of the United States state of Florida, on the East Coast. The region enjoys a hot but stormy climate, with many thunderstorms, and hurricanes threatening often.

The exact boundary of the area may be in dispute. Central Florida tends to be thought of as the area around metropolitan Orlando, including Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Brevard, and Volusia counties. Polk and Sumter counties are considered by some, including the local media, to be part of Central Florida. Although geographically in the central part of the state, usually the west central coast, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties, is considered the Tampa Bay area or the Suncoast, rather than a part of Central Florida. This area is known as the I-4 corridor.

In 2020, the total population of the Central Florida area was about 8 million people. Central Florida is a mix of deep south and typical Floridian culture. This is what makes the area unique.

The largest cities in Central Florida are Orlando, Palm Bay, Lakeland, Melbourne, Deltona, Daytona Beach, Kissimmee, Altamonte Springs and Sanford.

The region has grown over the last two decades. A lack of growth management has led to massive urban sprawl in the area. Outdated and unplanned building has led to an overload of vehicle traffic. Local governments, in dispute with each other over growth, have now started taking a more regional approach and several transportation programs.

Central Florida Media

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  The Yearling won Floridian Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings a Pulitzer Prize for her glimpse at life in Central Florida.

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  Yulee Sugar Mill, located in the Central Florida town of Homosassa. The Florida State Park is the site of David Levy Yulee's 5,100-acre sugar plantation. The mill operated from 1851 to 1864 and served as a supplier of sugar products for Southern troops during the Civil War.

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  Spanish Moss by Winslow Homer - Tampa Bay, Florida, painting of Spanish Moss swaying from live oak limbs, a familiar scene in Central Florida

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  Jackson Rooming House in Tampa, accommodated African-Americans during the era of racial segregation in Central Florida. The hotel played host to prominent figures such as Count Basie, Cab Calloway, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles.

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  Central Florida Cowboy Culture, Silver Spurs Rodeo, Kissimmee

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  Orange Groves, Central Florida

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  Ferris Groves Store in Floral City, one of many Old Florida style citrus stands found on the back roads of Central Florida.

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  Plant City Strawberry Festival, Congressman Putnam with wife Melissa and their daughters at the Strawberry Parade in Plant City, Florida,

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  The Mall at Millenia, a super-regional high-end shopping mall in the Orlando metro area.

Other websites

• Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau, Osceola County Archived 2016-01-12 at the Wayback Machine
• University of Central Florida
• Central Florida Hurricane Center
• Trails.com List of Central Florida Trails
• Altamonte Springs Community Blog Archived 2008-12-19 at the Wayback Machine
• Around Central Florida community pages Archived 2008-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
• Central Florida Free MLS Real Estate Search
• Central Florida Event Guide