Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the county seat of Broward County, is located in the southeastern part of the state. It is a top tourist destination, for both college students on spring break or the retired community, and it's sunny weather attracts loads of folks looking for a better life, keeping Fort Lauderdale moving companies busy.
History:
Fort Lauderdale and Florida in general was believed to have been discovered by Don Juan Ponce de Leon or John Cabot after thousands of years of Native American inhabitation. Initially, Fort Lauderdale was mainly swamp land, until Charles Green Rhodes implemented a plan involving canals. The plan resembled that used by Venice which is how Fort Lauderdale gained its nickname. The city was incorporated in 1911 which is around when the railroad first reached the area.
Fort Lauderdale gained national exposure in 1935 with the Collegiate Aquatic Forum, an annual event each spring. This led other college students to come to the area during spring break and made the area the popular tourist destination for people of all ages that it is today. Recently, the city has become more urban, although the city still retains many of the qualities it used to. Efforts were initially made to reduce the spring break crowds, although now there are attempts to bring back many spring breakers for additional revenue for the city.
Economy:
Fort Lauderdale's economy is largely driven by the high amount of tourism in the area. The city features various small businesses, including many retail stores in the downtown area. The most commonly manufactured products include various shipbuilding activities. Additionally, many cruise ships lie in the city's marina and this also helps the city's economy. Major employers headquartered in the city include AutoNation USA, Citrix Systems, and National Beverage Corporation.
Tourism:
Tourism is a significant part of the economy in Fort Lauderdale and offers many activities and attractions. The city features one of the largest marinas in the country as well as some of the top beaches. Also, many warm-weathered activities are offered in both the surrounding waters of Fort Lauderdale and on land. Popular places to visit in the city include the Museum of Art, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Discovery and Science, and Port Everglades. The Fort Lauderdale – Hollywood International Airport is five miles from the city.
The city has a population of over 152,000 based on the last census in 2000. Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Venice of America", in reference to the canals that snake through the community. It is also sometimes referred to as "Ft. Liquordale" because of the many bars and clubs in the city, as well as the large spring break crowd that goes to the city every spring. The city of Fort Lauderdale encompasses 31 square miles, and the average income of Fort Lauderdale is almost $38,000.