Jacksonville located in northeastern Florida is the state's most populous city and also is the leading financial and insurance center of Florida. Jacksonville is part of Duval County and was established in 1968. At that time it was one of the biggest cities in the United States, covering a land area of 1,964.8 sq km (758.6 sq mi). The 1990's established Jacksonville as a major Florida city with its services-driven economy after being tied to nearby southern Georgia throughout its history. Health and insurance industries, government, and tourism sustain the local economy.

The city's climate is humid subtropical, but tends to be somewhat cooler than the Florida peninsula to the south. Winters can be marked by spells of cold weather, and limited snow or ice accumulations occur once every few years. In January the average high temperature is 18°C (64°F) and the average low is 5°C (41°F); in July the average high is 33°C (91°F) and the average low is 22°C (72°F). Normal annual precipitation is 1,304 mm (51.3 in), with the largest monthly totals accumulating from June through September. The population of Jackksonville has grown substantially in the 1980s and 1990s as the city's service industries expanded and new businesses were attracted to the city. In 1980 the population was 540,920. By 2000 the population was 735,617. In 2005, Jacksonville's population was estimated at 782,623.

Jacksonville Education & Attractions

Jacksonville hosts several universities and colleges includeing the University of North Florida, Jacksonville University, Edward Waters College, Jones College, several small religious colleges, and a large community college. Public primary and secondary education is provided by the Duval County School District, among the nation?s largest.

Attractions include the Museum of Science and History and its archaeological exhibits about Florida's Native Americans; the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, with displays of historic documents that rotate among the other Karpeles museums in the nation; the Jacksonville Art Museum, featuring contemporary and classic art; and the Jacksonville Historical Center, depicting the city's past. In the north of the city is the Jacksonville Zoological Park, with extensive wildlife exhibits, river excursions, and Okavango Village, a re-creation of an African riverfront community.

Jacksonville has a symphony orchestra and numerous theatrical groups, including one of the nation's longest running community theaters. The premier stage in the city is the Florida Theatre, built as a movie house in 1927 and restored in 1983.

Among the city's leading recreation facilities is the riverfront Metropolitan Park, site for many of the performances in the fall Jacksonville Jazz Festival and home to the Florida National Pavilion. A number of beach resorts on the Atlantic coast, particularly Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville Beach, provide fishing, swimming, boating, golf, and tennis. The Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League play professional football at the ALLTEL Stadium. The newly renovated Gator Bowl stadium is home to an annual college football matchup held on the Saturday closest to New Year's Day. The Players Championship of professional golf is held annually in nearby Ponte Vedra.

The Riverwalk, a landscaped complex along the south bank of the Saint Johns River, is a popular gathering place. It features a boardwalk 1.9 km (1.2 mi) long and the Friendship Fountain, spectacularly lit at night.