Jacksonville, once primarily an industrial and maritime Southern city, now has a sparkling skyline of skyscrapers; yet the city is still graced with tropical scenery, white sandy beaches, and a certain Southern flavor and heritage. The Riverwalk near the St. Johns River, Jacksonville's financial focal point, and the Jacksonville Landing, a festive marketplace with events and entertainment, are two manifestations of the city's new modern, prosperous image.

Draped around an S curve of the broad St. Johns River, Jacksonville is a major tourist and business center in Florida. The river is the hub for cruise boats and sightseeing excursions. Although 12 miles inland from the mouth of the river, Jacksonville berths freighters, ocean liners, and a fleet of shrimp boats.

Under the British flag, Jacksonville was known as Cowford, a name that persisted until the purchase of Florida by the United States, when the town was renamed for Andrew Jackson. In the peace following the Seminole War, the city emerged as a prosperous and boisterous harbor town. Jacksonville was occupied by Union troops four times during the Civil War, but emerged during the Reconstruction period as a popular winter resort.