What you didn’t know about Orlando, Florida.
Orlando is shaped by one of the most complex and surprising ecosystems in the Southeast, and the city you see today exists because of its unusual geography and history.
Greater Orlando sits atop a chain of more than 100 lakes formed from ancient sinkholes, creating a patchwork of freshwater habitats alive with herons, otters, turtles, and cypress-lined wetlands. The region’s humid subtropical climate produces vivid plant life year-round, frangipani blooms, bright hibiscus, towering palms, and moss-laden live oaks that act like natural cathedrals. Long before tourism transformed the area, the land was home to the Timucua and later the Seminole people, whose presence still echoes through local waterways and trails. Even the city’s famous afternoon thunderstorms, dramatic, fast, and theatrical, are the product of a unique convergence of sea breezes from both Florida coasts crashing together over the inland peninsula. Orlando’s cultural tapestry is equally rich: vibrant Brazilian, Puerto Rican, Vietnamese, and Caribbean communities shape the food, music, and rhythm of the city. There’s a depth here most visitors never see, a blend of ecology, history, and multicultural energy that gives Orlando its true soul.
Five fascinations about Orlando.
5. It has more than 100 lakes, and most are sinkholes.
Many of Orlando’s lakes formed from collapsed limestone, creating deep, clear basins now surrounded by parks and neighborhoods. Lake Eola, the city’s centerpiece, was once just a massive sinkhole, now it’s home to swans, concerts, and Sunday morning rituals.
4. It’s one of the most visited cities in the world.
Orlando draws over 70 million visitors annually, more than Paris, London, or New York. Yet somehow, the city has managed to hold onto a sense of local pride and small-community charm amidst the global spotlight.
3. There’s a thriving underground arts scene in the Milk District.
Beyond the theme parks, Orlando’s Milk District is home to independent galleries, record shops, street murals, and a growing creative community that tells a completely different story than the brochures.
2. The first legally recognized same-sex marriage in Florida happened here.
In 2015, as the state lifted its ban, Orlando hosted Florida’s first official same-sex wedding. The city continues to be a symbol of inclusivity and resilience, especially in the years since the Pulse tragedy.
1. You can swim in crystal-clear natural springs just 30 minutes away.
Wekiwa, Rock Springs, and Blue Spring are all a short drive from downtown, offering glassy water, manatees, and ancient cypress roots. It’s a reminder that just outside the neon, the natural world still sings.
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