Fort Lauderdale Florida is renowned as the Venice of America, situated along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean boasting of 165 miles interconnecting waterways supporting the yachting capital of the world and miles of beaches.
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. The downtown area is the largest in Broward County, although there are other smaller cities in the county with commercial centers. Other improvements include a wide array of new boutques , art galleries, and restaurants.
Fort Lauderdale is a major manufacturing and maintenance center for yachts. The boating industry is responsible for over 108,000 jobs in the county With its many canals, and proximity to the Bahamas and Caribbean, it is also a popular yachting vacation stop, and home port for 42,000 boats, and approximately 100 marinas and boatyards. Additionally, the annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world's largest boat show, brings over 125,000 people to the city each year.
Companies based in the Fort Lauderdale area include AutoNation, Citrix Systems, DHL Express, Spirit Airlines, and National Beverage Corporation. The largest employers in the county are Tenet Healthcare, which employs 5,000 people; American Express, which employs 4,200; The Continental Group, which employs 3,900; Motorola, which employs 3,000, and Maxim Integrated Products, which employs 2,000.
City of Fort Lauderdale Overview
 Incorporated on March 27, 1911, the City of Fort Lauderdale is situated on the southeast coast of Florida, centrally located between Miami and Palm Beach. Encompassing more than 33 square miles with a population of nearly 190,000, Fort Lauderdale is the largest of Broward County's 30 municipalities and the seventh largest city in Florida. Embraced by the Atlantic Ocean, New River and a myriad of scenic inland waterways, Fort Lauderdale truly lives up to its designation as the "Venice of America."
An advantageous economic climate is helping the City of Fort Lauderdale establish itself as a world-class international business center and one of the most desirable locations for new, expanding or relocating businesses. Once known strictly as a tourism-based economy, Fort Lauderdale now supports a diverse range of industries, including marine, manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, high technology, avionics/aerospace, film and television production.
Fort Lauderdale also offers an outstanding quality of life, highlighted by a semi-tropical climate, rich natural beauty and array of cultural, entertainment and educational amenities. Blessed with over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year and pleasant year-round ocean breezes, world-famous Fort Lauderdale Beach offers premier opportunities for recreation, relaxation and enjoyment. The picturesque Riverwalk serves as the cornerstone of the City's arts, science, cultural and historic district which features the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Museum of Discovery and Science, Museum of Art and Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum. Las Olas Boulevard has gained international acclaim as Fort Lauderdale's centerpiece of fashion, fine dining and entertainment. In addition, the City's downtown area is home to Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, the award-winning Broward County Main Library, federal, county and school district offices.
Through the cooperative efforts of residents, businesses and local government, Fort Lauderdale has evolved into a City that offers the best of both worlds - an attractive business environment and an outstanding quality of life. Fort Lauderdale is a great place to live, work and raise a family, and the City looks forward to continuing to build upon its success to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and beyond.
Location
Fort Lauderdale is located in the east-central portion of Broward County, Florida approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. The City shares boundaries with nine other municipalities, as well as unincorporated areas of the County. Encompassing more than 33 square miles with a population of nearly 167,000, Fort Lauderdale is the seventh largest city in Florida and the largest of Broward County’s 30 municipalities
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Largest Private Employers - Ranked by Employees
Company Name Municipality Phone Web South
Florida
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