Florida - Central around Orlando Attractions

Inland Florida was once best known for the cattle ranches and the industrious folk or "crackers" who worked them. The vegetation in the area is mostly low scrub, perfect for livestock, first brought over by the Spanish in the 16th century.

Settlers came to try their fate in the citrus industry and tourists arrived on steamboats that plowed through the region's rivers but it wasn't until 1971 that central Florida gained worldwide recognition.

Walt Disney opened his famous amusement park in Lake Buena Vista in that year and the nearby cities of Orlando and Kissimmee felt the huge impact. Today, Orlando and environs is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet.

Downtown Orlando is bordered by South Street to the south, Robinson Street to the north, Garland Avenue to the west and Rosalind Avenue to the east. The north-south dividing line is Central Boulevard and the east-west is Orange Avenue.