| Blessed with nearly perfect year-round weather, The | | | | Situated near the city are natural attractions for the |
| city of Ocala, as well as the whole of Marion County, | | | | family, like the Silver Springs Theme Park, the Ocala |
| offers visitors and residents alike a wonderful collage | | | | National Forest, green fields of horse farms, and |
| of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and a diverse | | | | historic districts as well as golf courses and other |
| economic and social environment, which are a | | | | sports facilities. The areas' subtropical climate makes |
| constant source of pleasure and recreation for all who | | | | this place a wonderful year-round vacation destination. |
| call this place home. | | | | The Downtown Area Has Recently Been Revitalized |
| The county prides itself in attaining a healthy mix of the | | | | In 1995, the city was awarded the title of "All America |
| of past and present.According to data from the US | | | | City". For those who visit the city's downtown area's |
| census Bureau, the city has a total land area of 38.63 | | | | historic district, visitors will be amazed by the care |
| square miles. | | | | taken with the restoration of the city's old homes. |
| The city's surrounding farms are world-renowned for | | | | The city's historic district, offers visitors the experience |
| their thoroughbred horse farms, which lie in rolling green | | | | of walking through well-preserved neighborhoods of |
| terrain, that most say is to bluegrass in Kentucky. The | | | | lovely Victorian homes. The city's downtown district |
| city is also famous for having many natural attractions | | | | has been revitalized during the past years, and |
| that attract families, adventure and outdoor enthusiasts, | | | | improvements have been made to the town square, |
| like Silver Springs, Florida, and Silver Springs Nature | | | | as well as the rehabilitation of surrounding historic |
| Theme Park, which was one of the first tourist | | | | buildings. |
| attractions in the state. | | | | A coalition of concerned citizens, property owners, and |
| Lush Farms, Green Terrain And Thoroughbred Horse | | | | public officials continue to work in the economic |
| Farms | | | | revitalization of the downtown are . In the early part of |
| For those who prefer living in areas that offer a | | | | 2007, the Ocala Recreation & Parks Department |
| healthy balance between nature and development, | | | | moved into new its new headquarters off Sanchez |
| Ocala is one viable destination. Within and beyond the | | | | Avenue, which serves as an equally an attractive |
| city, built amid crop lands, horse farms, and acres of | | | | addition to the Tuscawilla Park campus. |
| national forest, lie new residential communities, where | | | | The city of Ocala began experiencing rapid |
| residents enjoy all the conveniences of modern living. | | | | development in the 1970s, with the completion of |
| Residents here enjoy having a leisurely drive, which | | | | projects like the Interstate 75 and the founding of |
| takes them from the green countryside to the modern | | | | Disney World. In the last decade, the metropolitan |
| trappings of urban life, where shopping malls, | | | | Ocala area saw one of the highest growth rates in the |
| restaurants, cultural events, theme parks, natural | | | | country, especially for a city its size. The county's |
| attractions, medical centers and top-notch schools are | | | | population in 2000 was registered to be over 250,000, |
| located. | | | | which was up from just around 100,000 in 1975. |