Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida's long maritime history was honored as the city participated in the 2009 International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day Parallel Event. The Parallel Event was sponsored by the Department of State, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, Maritime Administration, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The event focus was on climate change and the importance of shipping safety and maritime security.

The U.S. Coast guard has numerous changes planned that will affect maritime security and maritime law. Upgrades to the Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), located in Jacksonville, FL, will enhance the effectiveness of the maritime law enforcement by significantly improving the Coast Guard's ability to deter drug trafficking and other maritime threats. The Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron is the country's first and only airborne law enforcement unit authorized to employ Airborne Use of Force in securing the nation's ports, shores and waterways.

Jacksonville, the largest city in the country by land mass, encompasses 885 square miles in the northeast corner of Florida. Nicknamed "River City," Jacksonville is Florida's most populous city. Jacksonville is bisected by the St. Johns River, Florida's longest river. Jacksonville is the county seat of Duval County, FL.

The city was first recognized in an 1822 petition to the U.S. Secretary of State asking that the town be officially recognized as a port of entry. Jacksonville is named in honor of Andrew Jackson. Before then, Jacksonville was known as Cowford, as livestock were once driven across a narrow section of the St. Johns River where a marker now stands at the foot of Liberty Street. It was not until February 9, 1832 that Jacksonville's first charter, creating a town government, was approved by the Florida Legislative Council.

Destroyed during the Civil War, Jacksonville was rebuilt and by 2007 had transformed into a city of 797,966 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, with 316,000 households.

The Jacksonville International Airport serves the city with 15 major and regional airlines that offer service to and from most major cities in the country. Driving in Jacksonville is convenient, with three major Interstates running through the city: I-95, I-295 and I-10. The St. Johns River Ferry connects the north and south ends of Florida State Road A1A in Duval County. The one-mile trip across the St. Johns River saves motorists 28 miles over a driving route that uses the Dames Point Bridge to cross the river.

Jacksonville's location on the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean has been a major factor in the growth of the city and its industry. The Port of Jacksonville operates the Blount Island Marine Terminal, the Talleyrand Marine Terminal and the Dames Point Marine Terminal for the intermodal transport of containers, automobiles, bulk, break-bulk and refrigerated cargoes.

Currently, cruise ships sailing from Jacksonville operate from a temporary cruise terminal at 9810 August Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32226, where they must sail beneath electric power lines and the Dames Point Bridge. A permanent Mayport Cruise Terminal option is being considered. Keeping the cruise industry in Jacksonville keeps jobs and economic opportunity in the city. A large portion of the economic impact from cruise ships comes from passengers, many of whom stay in Jacksonville before or after their cruises, spending money at hotels, restaurants and other attractions.

While the Port of Jacksonville is a large component of the local economy, the military is by far the largest employer in Jacksonville. Jacksonville is home to three military facilities: Naval Air Station - Jacksonville, a military airport; Naval Station - Mayport, a U.S. Navy base; and Blount Island Command, a U.S. Marine Corps logistics base. The Florida Air National Guard is based at Jacksonville International Airport and the Naval Submarine Base - Kings Bay is nearby in southeast Georgia. It is the Atlantic homeport for U.S. ballistic missile submarines armed with nuclear weapons.

Jacksonville, Florida is home to the largest urban park system in the United States. The city operates facilities and services at more than 337 locations on more than 80,000 acres throughout the city, including Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park and Huguenot Memorial Park, Jacksonville's two oceanfront parks.
Jacksonville is home to numerous museums, including the Jacksonville Maritime Museum. The museum traces the local impact of maritime trade in the city via the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean.

With a rapidly growing population, abundant natural resources, a business-friendly government, convenient transportation options, and a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities, Jacksonville continues to distinguish itself as one of the nation's leading metropolitan areas.