Orlando Jordan
Ring name(s)	Orlando Jordan[1]
Billed height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[1]
Billed weight	257 lb (117 kg)[1]
Born	(1974-04-22) April 22, 1974 (age 38)[2] Richmond, Virginia[1]
Resides	Miami, Florida
Billed from	Miami, Florida
Trained by	Rocky Johnson[1] Dan McDevitt[3] RJ Carrington[3]
Debut	1999[4]

Orlando Jordan^[1] (born April 21, 1974)^[5] is an American professional wrestler. Jordan is best known for his tenure in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a one-time United States Champion. Following his departure from WWE, he spent nineteen months signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.

Professional wrestling career[link]

World Wrestling Entertainment (2003–2006)[link]

Jordan made his WWE TV debut on the May 31, 2003 episode of Velocity defeating Jamie Noble. On June 26, 2003, Jordan made his first SmackDown! appearance as a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden against then-villain John Cena.^[6] Although he did not win the match, he was impressive enough that when Cena attacked Jordan after the match was over, The Undertaker, with whom Cena was feuding, came to the ring and helped Jordan to his feet.^[6]

Jordan was named "Chief of Staff" of John "Bradshaw" Layfield's (right) Cabinet.

After being a fan favorite for several months, Jordan turned into a villain by joining John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL)'s Cabinet and being appointed as his "Chief of Staff". This happened when he saved J.B.L. from an attack from The Undertaker.^[7] A few months after joining, Jordan began changing his look by growing out his hair. While a part of The Cabinet, Jordan, along with the Basham Brothers (who became the newly appointed "Co-Secretaries of Defense"), helped JBL manage to keep his WWE Championship for nine months by interfering in his title matches against Eddie Guerrero, Booker T, the face run of The Big Show, and The Undertaker, who was the first person to show Jordan respect.

After JBL began a feud with a now-fan favorite John Cena over the WWE Title leading up to WrestleMania 21, Jordan faced off with Cena on the March 3, 2005 edition of SmackDown! from the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.^[8] Orlando defeated John Cena with the help of JBL to win the United States Championship, his first and only title in WWE.^[8] After losing his WWE Title to John Cena at WrestleMania 21, JBL stated that his Cabinet had been holding him back, which led to the departure of the Bashams. At The Great American Bash, Jordan began feuding with the newly drafted Chris Benoit. Jordan defeated Benoit and retained his United States Championship after removing the turnbuckle pad and shoving Benoit head-first into the exposed steel and covered him for the win.^[9] Feeling cheated, Benoit continued to chase Jordan for the title. He finally defeated Jordan (in a record 25.5 seconds) at SummerSlam to win the title.^[10] Following this quick match, Jordan attempted to win his title back on multiple occasions, leading to 3 consecutive losses with all matches lasting less than a minute. The first rematch lasted 23.4 seconds.^[11] During the second rematch, Jordan actually almost knocked out Benoit with a punch in the opening moments but still lost at 22.5 seconds, which was even faster than the first match.^[12] During the third match, Jordan stalled until the time, which was being displayed on the TitanTron, went over 25 seconds.^[13] He got so excited when his time went over 30 seconds that he dropped his guard and Benoit took the opportunity to lock on the Sharpshooter for a win at the 49.8 second mark.^[13] Earlier in the show, Orlando stated that he had mastered every counter to Benoit's signature Crippler Crossface, which was shown when during the match every time Benoit attempted the Crippler Crossface, Jordan countered it.^[13] After those unsuccessful rematches, Jordan later broke away from JBL, although both later made a few appearances together later on.

Jordan in a wrestling match against Tatanka in 2006.

When Booker T got injured half-way through his Best of Seven series for the United States Championship, he needed a replacement to face Chris Benoit.^[14] As the series was at 3–1 in Booker's favor, Booker T only needed his replacement to win one match in order to become the United States Champion.^[14] Orlando approached him about the position but Booker T and his wife Sharmell laughed in Orlando's face and made jokes about Orlando's quick tap-out losses to Benoit.^[14] Booker instead asked Randy Orton to substitute for him.^[14] Orton, however, failed to win the deciding match, leading Jordan to once again ask for the position the next week.^[14][15] Booker T and his wife laughed at him and turned him down once again, however.^[15] During the sixth match in the series, Jordan jumped the rail, grabbed Booker T's crutch, and hit Chris Benoit for a disqualification finish.^[15] Chris Benoit was announced as the winner, tying the Best of Seven Series at 3–3.^[15] The next week, Jordan ran to ringside to attempt to halt Booker T from winning the Championship but was unable to prevent Orton from eventually beating Chris Benoit and winning the series for Booker T.

Jordan was then pushed down to Velocity and won several matches there. Jordan made his final SmackDown! appearance on the May 12 episode of SmackDown! in a backstage segment, telling Nunzio that he had seen someone who looked like his partner Vito dressed in drag at a night club during the recent UK tour.^[16] His final WWE appearance was a loss to Gunner Scott on the May 13 episode of Velocity.

Jordan was then fired from the WWE on May 26, 2006 because of traveling with someone not authorized by WWE to travel with him.^[17] Before his firing, there were plans for Jordan to be repackaged with a bisexual gimmick in a storyline that would have involved Trinity and a friend of Jordan's with no wrestling background,^[17] considered in some circles to be taboo in wrestling, but was passed for Jordan since he is bisexual in real-life.^[4] The storyline was Jordan's idea, because the WWE creative team had no plans for him.^[18]

Independent circuit (2006–2010)[link]

Jordan during the Hulkmania tour of Australia in 2008.

Jordan began competing on the independent circuit soon after his WWE departure along with wrestling overseas, most notably for Nu-Wrestling Evolution, a promotion based in Italy, as well as New Japan Pro Wrestling. Jordan became NWE Champion in April 2008. Later in that month, he was involved in a storyline confrontation with the Ultimate Warrior, leading to the return of Warrior after a ten-year absence to face Jordan in a match in June 2008. Jordan lost the title to Warrior on August 21, 2008 In Barcelona.

TNA Wrestling (2010–2011)[link]

Jordan in July 2010

On the January 4, 2010, live, three-hour, Monday night edition of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Impact! television show Jordan made his debut for the company in a backstage segment with D'Angelo Dinero.^[19] He then as a heel, defeated Dinero in a singles match on the January 21 episode of Impact!.^[20] After scoring an upset victory over Samoa Joe on the February 18 edition of Impact!,^[21] Jordan disappeared from TV, before re-surfacing on the March 29 edition of Impact!, debuting a new look and starting the bisexual angle he had proposed to WWE creative before his release from that company.^[22] On April 9 Jordan announced that he had signed a new multi-year contract with TNA.^[23] On the May 3 edition of Impact!, Jordan debuted his new interview segment, O-Zone, during which he attacked and started a feud with the Global Champion Rob Terry.^[24] At Sacrifice Jordan challenged Terry for the Global Championship, but was unsuccessful.^[25] The following Thursday on Impact!, Jordan scored a non-title victory over Terry, after capitalizing on Terry's injured knee, which he had injured at Sacrifice.^[26] Jordan's feud with Terry came to an end on the June 3 edition of Impact!, when the Global Champion pinned him in a tag team match, where he teamed with Desmond Wolfe and Terry with Abyss.^[27]

On the July 29 edition of Impact! Jordan, himself formed a dysfunctional tag team with babyface Eric Young, who had been battling (kayfabe) mental problems ever since taking a bump on the head, being completely unaware of Jordan's sexual orientation and interest in him.^[28][29][30] At Bound for Glory Young's antics cost him and Jordan their match against Ink Inc. (Jesse Neal and Shannon Moore).^[31] Upon the team's next appearance on Impact! on December 16, Jordan had turned face as he and Young defeated Generation Me (Jeremy and Max Buck) in a tag team match.^[32] On April 17, 2011, at Lockdown, Jordan and Young were unsuccessful in becoming the number one contenders to the TNA World Tag Team Championship in a four tag team steel cage match, which was won by Ink Inc.^[33] After this point, Eric Young went on a singles run and won the TNA Television Championship, the title formerly known as the Global Championship, while Jordan was taken off television. On July 11, 2011, it was reported that Jordan had been released from TNA.^[34]

Independent Circuit (2012 - Present)[link]

All Action Wrestling (AAW)[link]

The All Action Wrestling General Manager, announced that Orlando Jordan will be competing for AAW for one full year. On his first night with AAW he won the 20 man Unleashed Rumble, entering at number 20 which he won by defeating one of Australia's best. He won the AAW world title on that same night, traveled to Bunbury, Warnbro and retained his title against the best of All Action Wrestling.

At AAW Anniversary VI, Orlando Jordan along with AAW World Champion The Shark formed an elite group named "The Foundation". Along with Chris Target and Josh Page this group has been dominating All Action Wrestling.

High Risk Professional Wrestling[link]

On February 24th Jordan Won a 5 man elimination match to become the number one contender for the HRPW Title, then on the 25th (following night) Jordan beat David Hawk via pinfall for the HRPW World Heavyweight Championship. Jordan defended the HRPW Title in a rematch with David Hawk in March at the Revenge Show. ^[35]

Other media[link]

Shortly after his WWE departure, Jordan participated in the wrestling documentary Bloodstained Memoirs.^[36]

Personal life[link]

Jordan was misdiagnosed with autism as a child.^[4] He also had speech difficulties, and attended classes to help him.^[18] Before becoming a professional wrestler, Jordan was a member of the United States Forest Service.^[4] He then relocated to Florida where he became a reputable amateur boxer.^[4] Jordan competed in gymnastics as a child, and participated in amateur wrestling.^[18] He attended Boise State University after winning the 1993 state championship at 189 pounds for Hermitage High School in Richmond, Va. .^[18]

Jordan is openly bisexual.^[4] Jordan appeared on an episode of the reality TV show Beverly Hills Fabulous on April 10th, 2011. He went out on a date with a male hair stylist from Los Angeles. He drove his black Lamborghini and took the stylist on a shopping spree in South Beach, Miami.^{[citation needed]} As of June 2011, Jordan is the co-owner, along with independent wrestler Luke Hawx, of WildKat Sports & Entertainment, a professional wrestling training center located just outside of New Orleans, LA. Their school has since spawned a National Wrestling Alliance territory, NWA WildKat.

In wrestling[link]

• Finishing moves
  • Black Ice (Double knee backbreaker,^[37] sometimes from the top rope^[38] or a sitout shoulder jawbreaker)^[1]
  • Blackout (Reverse STO)^[1][20][37]
  • Gender Bender (Rolling cutter)^[39] – 2011
  • Guillotine choke^[40] – 2010
  • Orlando Magic (Whiplash)^[1][37]
  • Running leg drop bulldog^[41] – 2006
  • Running powerslam^[4] – 2003

• Signature moves
  • Arm drag^[20]
  • Dragon screw^[20]
  • Dropkick^[37][42]
  • Elbow drop,^[37] sometimes from the second or top rope^[37]
  • Johnson Shuffle (Three left-handed jabs followed by a right-handed knockout punch)^[1] – adopted from his trainer Rocky Johnson^[1]
  • Knee drop, with theatrics^[37]
  • Swinging side slam backbreaker^[42] – 2010

• Managers
  • Amy Weber^[1]
  • Santana G^[43]

• Nicknames
  • "The Chief of Staff" (WWE)^[3]
  • "The Wild Card" (TNA)^[26]

• Entrance Themes

"Do It Big" by Sikk The Shocker (WWE)

"Simply the Greatest" by Dale Oliver (TNA)

Championships and accomplishments[link]

Amateur wrestling[link]

• All–American Wrestling Champion (2 times)^[4]
• Central Region (Richmond) Wrestling Champion (3 times)
• National Wrestling Champion (2 times)^[4]
• Virginia Commonwealth Games Freestyle Wrestling Champion (1 time)
• Virginia State Wrestling Champion (AAA) (1 time)

Professional wrestling[link]

• All Action Wrestling (Australia)
  • AAW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)

• High Risk Pro Wrestling (Australia)
  • HRPW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time, Current)

• Maryland Championship Wrestling
  • MCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[1]

• Nu-Wrestling Evolution
  • NWE Heavyweight Championship (1 time)^[44]

• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • PWI ranked him # 82 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the PWI 500 in 2011^[45]

• World Wrestling Entertainment
  • WWE United States Championship (1 time)^[8]

• Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
  • Worst Gimmick (2010)^[46]

References[link]

External links[link]

Professional wrestling portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Orlando Jordan

• Orlando Jordan on Twitter
• Official MySpace Profile
• Orlando Jordan at the Internet Movie Database

Orlando
—  City  —
City of Orlando
Downtown Orlando, Seaworld Orlando, Gatorland, The Mall at Millenia, Orlando International Airport, Lake Eola fountain, Church Street Station, Amway Center, Orange County Courthouse, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida
Flag of Orlando Flag Official seal of Orlando Seal
Nickname(s): The City Beautiful, O-Town[1]
Location in Orange County and the state of Florida
Orlando Location in the United States
Coordinates: 28°24′57″N 81°17′56″W / 28.41583°N 81.29889°W / 28.41583; -81.29889Coordinates: 28°24′57″N 81°17′56″W / 28.41583°N 81.29889°W / 28.41583; -81.29889[2]
Country	United States
State	Florida
County	Orange
Settled	July 31, 1875
Incorporated	1885
Government
• Type	Mayor–Commission
• Mayor	Buddy Dyer (D)
Area[2]
• City	110.7 sq mi (287 km2)
• Land	102.4 sq mi (265 km2)
• Water	8.3 sq mi (21 km2)
Elevation[3]	82 ft (25 m)
Population (2010)[4]
• City	238,300
• Density	2,327.3/sq mi (898.6/km2)
• Urban	1,377,342 (35th)
• Metro	2,134,411 (26th)
• CSA	2,818,120 (17th)
Demonym	Orlandoan
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code(s)	32801–32899
Area code(s)	321, 407
FIPS code	12-53000[4]
GNIS feature ID	0288240[3]
Website	www.cityoforlando.net

Orlando (/ɔrˈlændoʊ/) is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States. The Greater Orlando metropolitan area has a population of 2,134,411, making it the 26th largest metro area in the United States, the sixth largest metro area in the Southeastern United States, and the third largest metro area in Florida. Orlando is the fifth largest city in Florida, and the state's largest inland city.

Orlando is nicknamed "The City Beautiful" and its symbol is the fountain at Lake Eola. The current mayor is Buddy Dyer. The city is best known for the Walt Disney World Resort (located approximately 21 miles (34 km) southwest of Downtown Orlando in Lake Buena Vista), founded by the Walt Disney Company in 1971, and for the Universal Orlando Resort (which consists of two parks, Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, as well as other attractions, including City Walk). Orlando is also home to the SeaWorld theme park, Gatorland, as well as Wet 'n Wild Water Park. With the exception of Walt Disney World, most major attractions are located along International Drive. The city's famous attractions form the backbone of Orlando's tourism industry, making the city the most visited American city in 2009.^[5] The city is also one of the busiest American cities for conferences and conventions. Like other major cities in the Sun Belt, Orlando grew rapidly during the 1980s and well into the first decade of the 21st century. Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida, which is the second largest university in the United States in terms of enrollment (as of 2011).

Orlando attracts over 51 million tourists a year (3.6 million of them are international tourists).^[6] Its airport, the Orlando International Airport (MCO), is the thirteenth busiest airport in the United States, and the 29th busiest in the world.^[7]

In 2010, Orlando was listed as a Gamma world-city in the World Cities Study Group’s inventory by Loughborough University. According to Loughborough, Orlando ranks alongside other cities such as Belfast, Milwaukee, and Islamabad.^[8]

History[link]

Pre-European history[link]

Before European settlers arrived in 1836, Orlando was sparsely populated by the Creek and other Native American tribes. There are very few archaeological sites in the area today, except for the ruins of Fort Gatlin along the shores of modern-day Lake Gatlin south of downtown Orlando.

Namesakes[link]

Prior to being known by its current name, Orlando was known as Jernigan. This originates from the first permanent settler, Aaron Jernigan, a cattleman who acquired land along Lake Holden by the terms of the Armed Occupation Act of 1842.^[9]

City officials and local legend say the name Orlando originated from a soldier named Orlando Reeves who died in 1835 during a supposed attack by Native Americans in the area during the Second Seminole War. Reeves was acting as a sentinel for a company of soldiers that had set up camp for the night on the banks of Sandy Beach Lake (now Lake Eola).^[10] There are conflicting legends, however, as an in-depth reviews of military records in the 1970s and 1980s turned up no record of Orlando Reeves ever existing.^[10] The legend grew throughout the early 1900s, particularly with local historian Kena Fries' retelling in various writings and on local radio station WDBO in 1929.^[10] A memorial beside Lake Eola – originally placed by students of Orlando's Cherokee Junior School in 1939^[10] – designates the spot where the city's supposed namesake fell.

Local historians have come up with a more credible version of the "Reeves" story. During the Second Seminole War, the U.S. Army established an outpost at Fort Gatlin, a few miles south of the modern downtown, in 1838, but it was quickly abandoned when the war came to an end. Most pioneers did not arrive until after the Third Seminole War in the 1850s. Many early residents made their living by cattle ranching. One such resident was a South Carolinian Orlando Savage Rees.^[11] Rees owned several large estates in Florida and Mississippi. On two separate occasions, relatives of Rees claimed their ancestor was the namesake of the city. F.K. Bull of South Carolina (Rees' great-grandson) told an Orlando reporter of a story in 1955; years later, Charles M. Bull Jr. of Orlando (Rees' great-great-grandson) offered local historians similar information.^[11] Rees most certainly did exist and was in Florida during that time period: in 1832 John James Audubon met with Rees in his large estate at Spring Garden, about 45 minutes away from Orlando.^[11] In 1837, Rees also attempted to stop a peace Treaty with the Indians because it did not reimburse him for the loss of slaves and crops. The story goes Rees' sugar farms in the area were burned out in the Seminole attacks in 1835 (the year Orlando Reeves supposedly died). Subsequently, he led an expedition to recover stolen slaves and cattle. It is believed he could have left a pine-bough marker with his name next to the trail, and later residents misread the sign as "Reeves" and thought it was his grave.^[11] In the years since the telling of this story, it has merged with the Orlando Reeves story. Some variants attempt to account for Reeves having no military records by using the name of another 'Orlando' that exists in some written records – Orlando Acosta. Not much is known about Acosta and if he even existed.

In 1975, local historian, and then chairman of the county historical commission, Judge Donald A. Cheney put forth a new version of the story in an Orlando Sentinel article.^[11] Cheney is the son of Judge John Moses Cheney, a major figure in Orlando's history who arrived in Orlando in 1885. John Cheney knew James Speer – another major figure who proposed the name of Orlando. Cheney's retelling relates how Speer proposed the name Orlando after one of the main characters in the Shakespeare play As You Like It. Speer, "was a gentleman of culture and an admirer of William Shakespeare...According to him, [Orlando] was a veritable Forest of Arden, the locale of As You Like It."^[11] One of the main streets in downtown Orlando is named Rosalind Avenue, after Rosalind, the heroine of the play. Speer's descendants have also confirmed this version of the naming and the legend has continued to grow.^[11]

What is known for certain is Jernigan became Orlando in 1857. The move is believed to be sparked, in part, by Aaron Jernigan's fall from grace after he was relieved of his military command by military officials in 1856. His behavior was so notorious that Secretary of War Jefferson Davis wrote, "It is said they [Jernigan's militia] are more dreadful than the Indians."^[11] At a meeting in 1857, debate had grown concerning the name of the town. Pioneer William B. Hull recalled how Speer rose in the heat of the argument and said, "This place is often spoken of as 'Orlando's Grave.' Let's drop the word 'grave' and let the county seat be Orlando."^[11] Through this retelling of history, it is believed that a marker of some sort was indeed found by Jernigan (or one of the other original pioneers); but, others claim Speer simply used the folk legend to help push for the Shakespearian name.

Incorporation[link]

After Mosquito County was divided in 1845, Orlando became the county seat of the new Orange County in 1856. It remained a rural backwater during the Civil War, and suffered greatly during the Union blockade. The Reconstruction Era brought on a population explosion, which led to Orlando's incorporation as a town on July 31, 1875, and as a city in 1885.^[12]

The period from 1875 to 1895 is remembered as Orlando's Golden Era, when it became the hub of Florida's citrus industry. But the Great Freeze of 1894–95 forced many owners to give up their independent groves, thus consolidating holdings in the hands of a few "citrus barons" who shifted operations south, primarily around Lake Wales in Polk County.^{[citation needed]}

Notable homesteaders in the area included the Curry family. Through their property in east Orlando flowed the Econlockhatchee River, which travelers crossed by fording. This would be commemorated by the street's name, Curry Ford Road. Also, just south of the airport in the Boggy Creek area was 150 acres (0.61 km²) of property homesteaded in the late 19th century by the Ward family. This property is still owned by the Ward family, and can be seen from flights out of MCO southbound immediately on the south side of SR-417.

After Industrial Revolution[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Orlando, as Florida's largest inland city, became a popular resort during the years between the Spanish-American War and World War I. In the 1920s, Orlando experienced extensive housing development during the Florida Land Boom. Land prices soared. During this period several neighborhoods in downtown were constructed, endowing it with many bungalows. The boom ended when several hurricanes hit Florida in the late 1920s, along with the Great Depression.

During World War II, a number of Army personnel were stationed at the Orlando Army Air Base and nearby Pinecastle Army Air Field. Some of these servicemen stayed in Orlando to settle and raise families. In 1956 the aerospace and defense company Martin Marietta (now Lockheed Martin) established a plant in the city. Orlando AAB and Pinecastle AAF were transferred to the United States Air Force in 1947 when it became a separate service and were re-designated as air force bases (AFB). In 1958, Pinecastle AFB was renamed McCoy Air Force Base after Colonel Michael N.W. McCoy, a former commander of the 320th Bombardment Wing at the installation, killed in the crash of a B-47 Stratojet bomber north of Orlando. In the 1960s, the base subsequently became home to the 306th Bombardment Wing of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), operating B-52 Stratofortress and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, in addition to detachment operations by EC-121 and U-2 aircraft.

Tourism in history[link]

Perhaps the most critical event for Orlando's economy occurred in 1965 when Walt Disney announced plans to build Walt Disney World. Although Disney had considered the regions of Miami and Tampa for his park, one of the major reasons behind his decision not to locate there was due to hurricanes — Orlando's inland location, although not free from hurricane damage, exposed it to less threat than coastal regions. The vacation resort opened in October 1971, ushering in an explosive population and economic growth for the Orlando metropolitan area, which now encompasses Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties. As a result, tourism became the centerpiece of the area's economy. Orlando now has more theme parks and entertainment attractions than anywhere else in the world.^{[citation needed]}

Another major factor in Orlando's growth occurred in 1962, when the new Orlando Jetport, the precursor of the present day Orlando International Airport, was built from a portion of the McCoy Air Force Base. By 1970, four major airlines (Delta Air Lines, National Airlines, Eastern Airlines and Southern Airways) were providing scheduled flights. McCoy Air Force Base officially closed in 1975, and most of it is now part of the airport. The airport still retains the former Air Force Base airport code (MCO).

Present day[link]

View of Downtown Orlando (center) and periphery to Lake Apopka (upper-right); January 2011

Today, the historic core of "Old Orlando" resides in Downtown Orlando along Church Street, between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue. Urban development and the Central Business District of downtown have rapidly shaped the downtown skyline during recent history. The present-day historic district is primarily associated with the neighborhoods around Lake Eola where century old oaks line brick streets. These neighborhoods, known as "Lake Eola Heights" and "Thornton Park," contain some of the oldest homes in Orlando.

Geography and cityscape[link]

The geography of Orlando is mostly wetlands, consisting of many lakes and swamps. The terrain is generally flat, making the land fairly low and wet.^{[citation needed]} The area is dotted with hundreds of lakes, the largest of which is Lake Apopka. Central Florida's bedrock is mostly limestone and very porous; the Orlando area is susceptible to sinkholes. Probably the most famous incident involving a sinkhole happened in 1981 in Winter Park, a city immediately north of downtown Orlando, dubbed ""The Winter Park Sinkhole".

There are 115 neighborhoods within the city limits of Orlando and many unincorporated communities. Orlando's city limits resemble a checkerboard, with pockets of unincorporated Orange County surrounded by city limits. Such an arrangement can be cumbersome^{[citation needed]} as some areas are served by both Orange County and the City of Orlando. This also explains Orlando's relatively low city population when compared to its metropolitan population. The city and county are currently working together in an effort to "round-out" the city limits with Orlando annexing portions of land already bordering the current city limits.^[13]

Climate[link]

Orlando's climate is transitional, with many characteristics of a tropical climate, but is situated on the southern fringe of the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen Cfa). There are two major seasons each year. One is hot and rainy, lasting from May until late September (roughly coinciding with the Atlantic hurricane season). The other is the dry, relatively cool season (late October through April) bringing less frequent rainfall, yet still with warm temperatures.^{[citation needed]} The area's warm and humid climate is caused primarily by its low elevation, its position relatively close to the Tropic of Cancer, and its location in the center of a peninsula. Many characteristics of its climate are a result of its proximity to the Gulf Stream, which flows around the peninsula of Florida.

During the height of Orlando's humid summer season, temperatures exceed 90 °F (32 °C) nearly every day, with an average of occurrences annually; the average window for such temperatures is April 19−October 11.^[14] The area's humidity acts as a buffer, usually preventing actual temperatures from exceeding 100 °F (38 °C), but also pushing the heat index to over 110 °F (43 °C). The city's highest recorded temperature is 101 °F (38 °C), set July 2, 1998. During these months, strong afternoon thunderstorms occur almost daily. These storms are caused by air masses from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean colliding over Central Florida. They are highlighted by spectacular lightning and can also bring heavy rain (sometimes several inches per hour) and powerful winds as well as occasional damaging hail.^{[citation needed]}

During the cooler seasons, humidity is lower and temperatures are more moderate, and can fluctuate more readily. In January, daytime highs average 71 °F (22 °C), falling to an average low of 49 °F (9 °C) at night. Temperatures dip below the freezing mark on an average of 2.4 nights per annum,^[14] and the lowest recorded temperature is 19 °F (−7 °C), set on January 21, 1985. Because the winter season is dry and freezing temperatures usually occur only after cold fronts (and their accompanying precipitation) have passed, snow is exceptionally rare. The only accumulation ever to occur in the city proper since recordkeeping began was in 1948, though surrounding areas did accumulate 6 inches (15 cm) in a snow event in 1977. It is also likely that accumulations occurred in connection with the Great Blizzard of 1899. Flurries have also been observed in 1989, 2006 ^[15] and 2010. ^[16]

The average annual rainfall in Orlando is 50.6 inches (1,290 mm), a majority of which occurrs in the period from June to September. The months of October through May are Orlando's driest season. During this period (especially in its later months), there is often a wildfire hazard. During some years, fires have been severe. In 1998, a strong El Niño caused an unusually wet January and February, followed by drought throughout the spring and early summer, causing a record wildfire season that created numerous air quality alerts in Orlando and severely impacted normal daily life, including the postponement of that year's Pepsi 400 NASCAR race in nearby Daytona Beach.^{[citation needed]}

Orlando is a major population center and has a considerable hurricane risk, although it is not as high as in South Florida's urban corridor or other coastal regions. Since the city is located 42 miles (68 km) inland from the Atlantic and 77 miles (124 km) inland from the Gulf of Mexico,^[17] hurricanes usually weaken before arriving. Storm surges are not a concern since the region is 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. Despite its location, the city does see strong hurricanes. During the notorious 2004 hurricane season, Orlando was hit by three hurricanes that caused significant damage, with Hurricane Charley the worst of these. The city also experienced widespread damage during Hurricane Donna in 1960.^{[citation needed]}

Tornadoes are not usually connected with the strong thunderstorms of the summer. They are more common during the infrequent storms of winter, as well as in passing hurricanes. The two worst major outbreaks in the area's history, a 1998 outbreak that killed 42 people and a 2007 outbreak that killed 21, both happened in February.

Over the course of a typical year, there are 89 clear days, 147 partly cloudy days, and 132 cloudy days.^{[citation needed]}

Skyscrapers[link]

Metro Orlando has a total of 71 completed skyscrapers. The majority are located in Downtown Orlando and the rest are located in the tourist district southwest of downtown.^[18] Skyscrapers built in downtown Orlando have not exceeded 441 ft (134 m) since 1988 when SunTrust Center was completed. There has never been an official reason why, but local architects speculate^{[citation needed]} restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration, as the Orlando Executive Airport is located four miles (6 km) east of downtown Orlando.

Downtown Orlando[link]

Orlando skyline at night

• The SunTrust Center, 1988, 441 ft (134 m), is the tallest skyscraper in Central Florida.
• The Vue at Lake Eola, 2008, 426 ft (130 m) tall, but with 35 stories it has more stories than the SunTrust Center.^[19][20]
• The Orange County Courthouse, 1997, 416 ft (127 m).
• The Bank of America Center (Orlando) (Formerly Barnett Plaza),1988, 409 ft (125 m)
• 55 West on the Esplanade, 2009, 377 ft (115 m)
• Solaire at the Plaza, 2006, 359 ft (109 m)
• Dynetech Center, 2009, 357 ft (109 m)
• Citrus Center, 1971, 258 ft (79 m) was the first skyscraper constructed in Orlando.
• Premier Trade Plaza Orlando, 2006, 256 ft (78 m)
• CNL Center City Commons, 1999, 250 ft (76 m)
• Downtown Orlando Information Center, 2008 located at Seaside Plaza across from the SunTrust Tower

Outside Downtown Orlando[link]

• Orlando International Airport ATC Tower, 2002, 346 ft (105 m)
• The SeaWorld SkyTower, 400 ft (122 m), was the tallest tower in Orange County outside Orlando's city limits until surpassed by the Peabody.
• The Peabody Expansion Tower, Winter 2010, 428 ft (130 m), is the tallest tower in Orange County outside Orlando's city limits.^[21]

Demographics[link]

As of 2010, there were 121,254 households out of which 15.4% were vacant. As of 2000, 24.5% of households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 15.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.6% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.97.

In 2000, the city's population was spread out with 22.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 37.3% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

In 2000, the median income  for a household in the city was $35,732, and the median income for a family was $40,648. Males had a median income of $30,866 versus $25,267 for females. The per capita income  for the city was $21,216. About 13.3% of families and 15.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.0% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Orlando has the largest population of Puerto Ricans in Florida and their cultural impact on Central Florida is similar to that of the large Cuban population in South Florida.^[24] Orlando is home to the fastest growing Puerto Rican community in the country. Between 1980 and 2010,^[25] Hispanic population share rose from 4.1 to 25.4%.^[26] Orlando also has a large and growing Caribbean population, with a large West Indian community (particularly Jamaicans and the Trinidadian and Tobagonian population), and an established Haitian community.

Languages[link]

U.S. Census Map

As of 2000, 75.43% of all residents speak English as their first language, while 16.60% speak Spanish, 1.93% speak Haitian Creole, 1.33% speak French, 0.99% speak Portuguese, and 0.54% of the population speak Arabic as their mother language. In total, 24.56% of the population 5 years and older speak a language other than English at home.^[27]

According to the American Community Survey of 2006-2008, 69.3% of Orlando's residents over the age of five spoke only English at home. Spanish-speakers represented 19.2% of Orlando's population. Speakers of other Indo-European languages made up 9.0% of the city's population. Those who spoke an Asian language made up 1.9% of the population, and speakers of other languages made up the remaining 0.6% of the populace.^[28]

Metropolitan statistical area[link]

Orlando is the hub city of the Orlando-Kissimmee, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, colloquially known as "Greater Orlando" or "Metro Orlando". The area encompasses four counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake), and is currently the 27th-largest metro area in the United States with a 2007 Census-estimated population of 2,032,496.^[29]

In 2000, the population of Orlando's urban area was 1,157,431, making it the 3rd largest in Florida and the 35th largest in the United States. As of 2009, the estimated Urban Area population of Orlando is 1,377,342.

When Combined Statistical Areas were instituted in 2000, Orlando was initially joined together with The Villages, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area, to form the Orlando-The Villages, Florida, Combined Statistical Area. In 2006, the metropolitan areas of Deltona (Volusia County) and Palm Coast (Flagler County) were added to create the Orlando-Deltona-Daytona Beach, Florida, Combined Statistical Area.^[30] This new larger CSA has a total population (as of 2007) of 2,693,552,^[31] and includes three of the 25 fastest-growing counties in the nation—Flagler ranks 1st; Osceola, 17th; and Lake, 23rd.^[32]

Crime[link]

In 2011, U.S. News reported on a study released by the F.B.I. indicating that Orlando is the third most dangerous city in the United States.^[33]

Greater Orlando Metropolitan Area

	Apopka, Astatula, Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares, Leesburg, The Villages	Eatonville, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deltona, DeBary, Orange City, DeLand	Winter Park, Casselberry, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach
	Windermere, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Clermont, Bushnell		Union Park, Avalon Park, Chuluota, Bithlo, Christmas, Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral
		Orlando    East
	Lake Buena Vista, Celebration, Davenport, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Haines City	Edgewood, Belle Isle, Kissimmee, Poinciana	Saint Cloud, Harmony, Holopaw, Kenansville, Yeehaw Junction, Melbourne, Palm Bay

Economy[link]

The North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center

Industry[link]

Orlando is a major industrial and hi-tech center. The metro area has a $13.4 billion technology industry employing 53,000 people^{[citation needed]}; and is a nationally recognized cluster of innovation in digital media, agricultural technology, aviation, aerospace, and software design. More than 150 international companies, representing approximately 20 countries, have facilities in Metro Orlando.

Orlando has the 7th largest research park in the country, Central Florida Research Park, with over 1,025 acres (4.15 km²). It is home to over 120 companies, employs more than 8,500 people, and is the hub of the nation’s military simulation and training programs. Metro Orlando is home to the simulation procurement commands for the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

Lockheed-Martin has a large manufacturing facility for missile systems, aeronautical craft and related high tech research. Other notable engineering firms have offices or labs in Metro Orlando: KDF, General Dynamics, Harris, Mitsubishi Power Systems, Siemens, Veritas/Symantec, multiple USAF facilities, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), Delta Connection Academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, GE, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS), U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command United States Army Simulation and Training Technology Center (STTC), AT&T, Boeing, CAE Systems Flight & Simulation Training, Hewlett-Packard, Institute for Simulation and Training, National Center for Simulation, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Systems. The Naval Training Center until a few years ago was one of the two places where nuclear engineers were trained for the US Navy. Now the land has been converted into the Baldwin Park development. Numerous office complexes for large corporations have popped up along the Interstate 4 corridor north of Orlando, especially in Maitland, Lake Mary and Heathrow.

Orlando is close enough to Patrick Air Force Base, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and Kennedy Space Center for residents to commute to work from the city's suburbs. It also allows easy access to Port Canaveral, a cruise ship terminal.

Orlando is the home base of Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Red Lobster and Olive Garden and the largest operator of restaurants in the world by revenue. In September 2009 it moved to a new headquarters and central distribution facility.^[34]