Often called the "The City Beautiful", Orlando is a top global tourist destination today and one of the most visited places in America. In 2014, it is said to have attracted over 62 million visitors, a figure that is set to grow each year. With world-renowned attractions like Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios, it is hardly a surprise that Orlando has been renamed as the "The Theme Park Capital of the World". Along with the world-class resorts, it offers all-season golf courses and enriching entertainment for visitors. More than anything, the varied shopping extravaganza is a treat by itself. Its proximity to the beaches completes the Florida experience for all.
But Orlando is more than a dream vacation destination. Located in Orange County, Central Florida, it has a population of 255,483, making it the sixth largest metropolitan area in the South. The Orlando International Airport (MCO) is ranked as one of the busiest airports in the world, which is as much a testament to its thriving tourism industry as it is to its growing importance as a business center. It is home to the one of the largest university campus in the United States which attracts a big student crowd. The warmth and beauty of Florida has attracted seniors to the state for years now, especially veterans. Orlando, with 12,654 veterans (as of 2013), is not too far behind other Florida cities. With the median household income at about $42,147, it now ranks as one of the top places to live in America.
Downtown Orlando is a great attraction with its niche shopping, myriad dining options, and rich art and cultural opportunities. For the more adventurous souls, there is a reconstructed Titanic experience on board the Ship of Dreams, the thrilling Petrified Forest, and Terror on the Lake haunted mansion. There is also the biblical Holy Land Experience and the beauty of the Silver Springs State Park to visit.