10 Fun Facts about Orlando and Florida

We’re gearing up here at the Dragon’s Pulse for the upcoming Annual International Conference in beautiful Orlando, Florida. While we’re preparing for that conference, we thought it might be a good idea to expand your mind and share some fun facts about the beautiful city hosting our yearly event.

10 Fun Facts about Orlando and Florida

– The official nickname of the city of Orlando is “The City Beautiful,” although it is also known as “O-Town.”

– Walt Disney World officially opened its doors in Orlando in 1971. Before Disney, Orlando was known for its cattle ranching, which you can still sometimes see along the 417.

– The state of Florida is roughly the size of England and Wales covering an area of 58,000 square miles.

– Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.

– Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States.

– Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common except the name.

– Orlando International Airport’s call letters is actually MCO because of the McCoy Air Force Base the airport was once part of. It is the third airport to have been built in that vicinity.

– Orlando is home to more than 100 lakes.

– The oldest and biggest bald cypress tree in the world grows in Central Florida – “The Senator” is more than 138 ft tall.

– The original conference was held at the Embassy Suites Jamaican Court facility because Great Grandmaster Pai felt good energy in the location and the building shape, a triangle, is a powerful balancing symbol in Martial Arts. The conference has since out-grown this facility and this year will host its first appearance at the “Castle”.