Jacksonville, Florida has a rich history, going back thousands of years. In fact, the United State’s oldest pottery remnants, dating back to 2500 BCE, were found in Jacksonville. When Europeans first explored northeast Florida, a tribe called the Mocama inhabited the area. The French were the first Europeans to colonize Jacksonville, building Fort Caroline along the St. John’s River, but soon the Spanish seized control. In 1821, Spain ceded control of the Florida territory to the United States, and about ten years later, Jacksonville was incorporated.
With a population of 911,528 people, Jacksonville, Florida is both the largest city in Florida and the twelfth largest in the country. Jacksonville sits in the northeast of the state and has 22 miles of beaches nearby, making Jacksonville an ideal vacation spot. Called “Jax” by locals, Jacksonville is a sunny city filled with a wide variety of entertainment. From premier golf courses to craft breweries, Jacksonville has a little bit of everything. Downtown Jax has a thriving art scene, with bright murals on the artwalk, outdoor art markets, as well as art galleries and museums. Additionally, the area is filled with hiking trails and outdoor preserves, such as the Tree Hill Nature Center or the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve.