Introduction

Jacksonville is a cosmopolitan riverside city that is one of the largest cities in area in the United Sates. In addition to the miles of beautiful sea coastline nearby, tourists are drawn to this rapidly growing city by its sunny climate, recreational activities, culture, and a bustling downtown, as well as sites such as a restored Civil War fortress, America’s oldest city (which is nearby), and the rich African American cultural heritage evident in many of its historical sites. With its variety of naval facilities that remain a major employer, Jacksonville is one of the most requested U.S. Navy duty stations. Within comfortable driving distance from many large southeastern metro areas, Jacksonville is a major transportation and distribution center. Developments in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries attest to the success of the city’s efforts to diversify and revitalize the downtown area, which had stagnated. City leaders successfully attracted new companies and retained existing businesses, and by 2004 Jacksonville was home to three Fortune 500 companies. Only 12 years after winning an NFL franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the city hosted Super Bowl XXXIX in 2005.