Ampliar

Ampliar

Ampliar

Jacksonville is the city with the largest area in the continental U.S., as well as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing burgs. It’s a perfect place where business adventures and life enjoyment come together

Jacksonville merges past and modern days, both movement and peace. The city with the largest area on the continental United States, and the highest population density in Florida, is part of Duval County, with nearly 850,000 inhabitants. It’s described as one of the most dynamic cities of the nation, boasting the highest economic growth, a condition that has turned it into the ideal spot for business.
Jax, as it’s nicknamed, is known for its several miles of beaches, vast golf courses and one of the largest systems of urban parks in the country. Likewise, the city features interesting museums, theaters and a famous zoo.
The coast and St. Johns River play significant roles in the area’s life and local tourism. There are lots of to-dos at the beaches and the river. Cruises, tours and kayaking are quite common in the area.
There are few sensations similar to what people feel when visiting the Small Talbot Islands State Park, north of St. Johns River. The landscape dazzles people for its wildlife variety, including otters and lynxes. It’s an unrivaled place when it comes to camping out, with all the attractions you can find out in the woods.
Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit this picture-perfect travel destination, as nice temperatures make the stay more pleasant, although winter is also great for people interested in escaping from the chilly European winter.
In the early 20th century, the city’s streets were walked by many movie industry stars because entrepreneurs were seduced by the dream-like shooting locations, the climate and the local transportation infrastructure. Dozens of silent studios were based in the area and Jacksonville was named the Winter Film Capital of the World.
Famous comedian Oliver Hardy made his debut in the film entitled Outwitting Daddy, shot in Jacksonville. Recently, some stars like Denzel Washington, John Travolta, Demi Moore, Collin Farrell and Salma Hayek have been lured to the formerly powerful filmmaking spot.
Among so many amazing destinations, Kingsley plantation —the oldest of its kind in Florida— harbors historic values related to a love legend between a master and his slave. Perched on the bank of St. Johns River, the plantation was founded in 1798 and named after Zephaniah Kingsley, who had bought Anna Madgigine Jai in Havana City, eventually married her and had four children, something that was against the law at the time.
Numerous visitors arrive in the city on a daily basis and, according to some estimates, over 100,000 go annually to the Riverside Avondale district in order to tour The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, which treasures nearly 5,000 artworks and artifacts. The decoration of over-a-century-old houses also impress tourists.
According to specialists, the area where the modern city is based once housed the Timucua, an Amerindian tribe, and the first contacts with European colonizers harken back to the mid-16th century. In 1562, French Jean Ribault charted a cartographic work throughout St. Johns River and, two years later, his fellowman René Goulaine de Laudonnière, set up the first European settlement: Fort Caroline. In 1565, Spanish forces commanded by Pedro Menendez de Aviles, coming from the San Agustin settlement, destroyed the fort and killed the French soldiers.
There was a time when the area was called Cow Ford. In 1822, a year after the official addition of Florida to the United States, the name Jacksonville was taken from Andrew Jackson, the first military governor of Florida and the seventh U.S. president.
Marked by major developments, the city played a key role during the Civil War, since it was the main source of cattle supply for the confederate army. After the war, it became a peaceful hideaway —along with San Agustin— for people to rest during the winter.
Always ready to overcome setbacks, the inhabitants left behind the trauma brought about by the Big Fire of 1901 —it caused significant material losses— and the settlement won its splendor back. The movie industry gained momentum and Jax became attractive for banks and companies. Job creation got a boost with the construction of three U.S. military bases during the 1940s.
Parenting Magazine ranked Jacksonville number one on the list of the top 10 cities for fun and recreation in 2010, while in 2015 Forbes Magazine put it on the fifth spot as the best cities to find a job in America.