With a population of about 53,000, Pensacola, Florida is one of the major urban areas on northern Florida. The city sits at the westernmost end of the Florida panhandle (it is closer to Alabama than to most parts of Florida) on Pensacola Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. Pensacola is an old city, which celebrated its 450th anniversary in 2008 and 2009. Pensacola's nicknames reflect its history ("The City of Five Flags"), tourist draws ("World's Whitest Beaches") and local economy ("Cradle of Naval Aviation"). When your Pensacola moving company uploads all of your belongings, you will quickly become immersed in all aspects of this city.
Economy:
The most prominent industries in the Pensacola area are tourism and the military. As the home of the Naval Air Station-Pensacola (located outside the city limits to the southwest) as well as several historic coastal forts, the city has a strong naval history. Tourism rests on Pensacola's warm climate and beaches, with new residents moving to Pensacola and visitors arriving throughout the year to experience both. Manufacturing, health care and education are major industries in Pensacola. The biggest employers within the city include the Sacred Heart Health System, Baptist Health Care, Gulf Power Company, Ascend Performance Materials, West Florida Hospital, the University of West Florida and the Navy Federal Credit Union.
History:
Pensacola can claim to be the oldest European settlement in the continental U.S., dating to 1559. In that year, a large group of Spanish settlers arrived from Mexico. After only one month, however, a major hurricane struck the colony, killing hundreds, sinking several ships and destroying supplies. The remains of the colony struggled on for two years, but the site was abandoned in 1561. The Spanish only returned to Florida and Pensacola at the end of the 17th century. They lost Pensacola briefly to the French (1719-1722) and to the British (1763-1781) before finally ceding Florida to the American government in 1819. Pensacola was the site of conflict during the Civil War, when Confederate troops took Fort Barrancas in late 1861. Following the surrender of New Orleans and local skirmishes with Union troops quartered at nearby Fort Pickens, the Confederate Army left the Pensacola area in May 1862
Tourism:
As a major tourist destination, Pensacola offers many attractions for both visitors and residents. Beaches along Pensacola Bay are a major draw. The National Parks Service operates large areas within the bay area, including Fort Barrancas (decommissioned in 1947). Museums in Pensacola include the Pensacola History Museum, the Pensacola Museum of Art and the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Pensacola's cultural attractions include several theaters, an opera company, a choral society and a symphony orchestra. Among the many historical attractions in and around Pensacola is St. Michael's Cemetery. In use since the late 18th century, the Spanish king officially opened the site in 1807. You can reach Pensacola by air via the Pensacola Gulf Coast Regional Airport. When in the city, Escambia County Area Transit provides bus service.