Orlando, , seat (1856) of Orange county, central , U.S. It is situated in a region dotted by lakes, about 60 miles (95 km) northwest of and 85 miles (135 km) northeast of . The city is the focus for one of the state’s most populous metropolitan areas.Orlando, Florida(more)The region was originally inhabited by and later peoples. Settlement began about 1843 around Fort Gatlin, a U.S. Army post. First called Jernigan for Aaron Jernigan, an early settler, the was renamed in 1857 to honour Orlando Reeves, an army sentry killed during the . Prior to the , the area was a cotton and cattle centre. After the war, citrus became a leading industry. The South Florida Railroad arrived in 1880 and was extended to Tampa in 1883. The development after 1950 of the aerospace complex, 50 miles (80 km) east, spurred population and , which were further boosted when opened in 1971 about 20 miles (30 km) southwest. The construction of other attractions followed, and the city acquired a franchise (the ) in 1987.Orlando: Walt Disney World ResortCinderella Castle, Walt Disney World Resort, near Orlando, Florida.(more)The Disney complex alone covers 47 square miles (122 square km). In addition to its several large resorts, Walt Disney World has a variety of attractions, including the Magic Kingdom, , Disney-MGM Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Universal Orlando Resort includes the and Islands of Adventure theme parks. The latter features the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, an attraction based on the popular book series by . Also in the Greater Orlando area are Sea World of Florida (a marine-animal park) and Wet ’n Wild (a large water park). Loch Haven Park contains art, science, and history museums. Gatorland, just to the south, is home to alligators and crocodiles., Orlando (/ É”ËrˈlændoÊŠ / ⓘ or-LAN-doh) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa and the state's most populous inland city. [5] ., Orlando’s welcoming diversity ensures unforgettable vacations filled with unique experiences for every visitor. Start living your dreams today..