About Fort Lauderdale:

Fort Lauderdale, known as the "Venice of America" due to its expansive and intricate canal system, is a city located in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city is also sometimes referred to as "Fort Liquordale" because of its beaches, many bars, clubs and overall party atmosphere. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 152,397. According to the 2004 U.S. Census Bureau's Estimates, the city grew to 164,578. Annexation of unincorporated areas in 2005 has boosted the city population to 170,823. It is the county seat of Broward County, and forms a part of the South Florida metropolitan area.

Fort Lauderdale Geography:

Fort Lauderdale is located at 26°08'09"N, 80°08'31"W (26.135763, -80.141810).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 93.3 km² (36.0 mi²). 82.2 km² (31.7 mi²) of it is land and 11.1 km² (4.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 11.91% water. Fort Lauderdale is known for its extensive network of canals, and is an especially popular destination for fishing and yachting.

The city of Fort Lauderdale borders the following municipalities on its outside borders:

On its east:

On its south:

On its southwest:

On its west:

On its northwest:

On its north:

The northwesternmost section of Fort Lauderdale is separate from the remainder of the city, except for the Cypress Creek Canal as it flows under I-95. This section of Fort Lauderdale borders the following municipalities on its south side:

The greater portion of Fort Lauderdale in the south is bordered, along its north side by:

Fort Lauderdale Demographics:

As of the census of 2000, there are 152,397 people, 68,468 households, and 33,001 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,854.4/km² (4,803.1/mi²). There are 80,862 housing units at an average density of 984.0/km² (2,548.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 64.27% White, 28.88% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.76% from other races, and 3.79% from two or more races. 9.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 68,468 households out of which 19.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.2% are married couples living together, 11.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 51.8% are non-families. 40.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.97.

In the city the population is spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 110.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 111.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $37,887, and the median income for a family is $46,175. Males have a median income of $34,478 versus $27,230 for females. The per capita income for the city is $27,798. 17.7% of the population and 13.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.0% of those under the age of 18 and 11.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Fort Lauderdale is a popular location for gay and lesbian residents and visitors. In the last decade many gays and lesbians have moved to the city in rather large numbers. Fort Lauderdale is also home to the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association.

Fort Lauderdale Economy:

Fort Lauderdale's economy is heavily reliant on tourism. During the 1970s, the city was known as a spring break destination for college students; since the 1980s, police have cracked down on underage drinking and other illicit activity, and the tourist dollars have been largely redirected toward cruise ships and other nautical recreation. In the last few years however, Fort Lauderdale has welcomed back spring breakers with open arms, due in part to the large infusion of cash for the local economy they provide. Police for their part have kept problems to a minimum, and the scene is nowhere near the anarchy of the 1970s and 1980s crowds. Today the entertainment district runs West to East along Las Olas Boulevard, from the heart of downtown to the beach. The district is anchored in the West by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, and runs through the city to arrive at the intersection of Las Olas and A1A. This intersection is the "ground zero" of Fort Lauderdale Beach, and is the site of the "Elbo Room" bar featured in the 1960's film Where the Boys Are, which led in large measure to the city's former reputation as a spring break mecca.

The downtown area, especially around Las Olas Boulevard, has seen dramatic growth in the past decade, and now hosts many new hotels and high-rise condominium developments. Other improvements include a wide array of new boutiques, galleries, and restaurants as well as upgrades to Lockhart Stadium (to attract marquee sporting events).

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the city's main airport (although it is located in neighboring city Dania Beach) and is one of the fastest growing airports in the country. Fort Lauderdale is also home to one of the ten largest general aviation airports in the country, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. It also hosts one of the largest seaports in the country, Port Everglades. Two railroads pass through Fort Lauderdale, and Amtrak provides services to other cities on the Atlantic coast. There is also a commuter rail service, the Tri-Rail, connecting Fort Lauderdale to Miami and West Palm Beach.

Several large companies are based in Fort Lauderdale, including AutoNation USA, Citrix Systems, One Model Place, and National Beverage Corp.

Fort Lauderdale History:

The first inhabitants of the land were Seminole Indians who arrived in the 18th century. During the Second Seminole War, Major William Lauderdale led his Tennessee Volunteers into the area and raised New River Fort on the site of the modern city in 1838. In 1893, a young Ohioan named Frank Stranahan arrived and built a house that served as the first trading post, post office, bank and town hall of the area. The house was built near the site of the New River Fort and still stands today as a museum. Fort Lauderdale was officially incorporated as a town in 1911 and began as a predominantly agricultural community, raising dairy cows and citrus groves.

In one of the city's worst traffic disasters, on March 17, 1993, an Amtrak passenger train collided with a loaded gasoline truck at the Cypress Creek Road crossing in north Fort Lauderdale, which was prevented from moving due to heavy rush hour traffic. The disaster killed the truck driver and as well as five motorists that were stopped at the crossing. Nobody on the train was seriously injured.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Wilma on October 24, 2005.