Current Time in Jacksonville, United States

Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States and the most populous city in the state of Florida, located in the northeastern corner of the state along the St. Johns River near the Atlantic Ocean coast. With a population of approximately 950,000 in the city proper and over 1.6 million in the greater metropolitan area, Jacksonville is a major regional center for banking, healthcare, logistics, military, and tourism. The city's vast geographic footprint — a result of the 1968 consolidation of the city government with Duval County — covers over 874 square miles.

The area that is now Jacksonville has been inhabited for at least 12,000 years, with the Timucua people being among the indigenous inhabitants when Europeans first arrived. The French established Fort Caroline near the site in 1564, one of the earliest European settlements in what would become the United States, but it was quickly destroyed by Spanish forces. The British developed the area during their colonial period, and the town of Jacksonville was formally established in 1822, named after Andrew Jackson, the first territorial governor of Florida and later President of the United States.

Jacksonville is home to Naval Air Station Jacksonville and several other military installations, making it one of the most militarily significant cities in the southeastern United States. The military presence has historically been a major economic driver and has contributed to the city's distinctive culture and demographics. The banking and financial services sector is also a major employer, with large operations of Fidelity National Financial, Fidelity National Information Services (FIS), and other major financial companies headquartered or operating significantly from Jacksonville.

The city's recreational offerings center on its exceptional natural environment. Jacksonville boasts 22 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches within city limits, including Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach, making it one of the few major American cities with beaches inside its city boundaries. The St. Johns River, which flows northward through the city, provides extensive waterfront for boating, fishing, and riverside dining. The Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, a large national park within the city, protects significant portions of coastal marshland and forest.

Cultural highlights include the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, featuring outstanding collections of American, European, and Asian art set within beautiful historic gardens. The Jacksonville Symphony, various theaters, and a vibrant arts district in the Riverside and Avondale neighborhoods provide a rich cultural scene. The NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars play at TIAA Bank Field, and the city has hosted multiple Super Bowls.

Jacksonville International Airport provides domestic and limited international air service, and the Port of Jacksonville is one of the most important vehicle-import ports on the East Coast. With its remarkable geographic size, natural beach and river assets, military importance, growing corporate presence, and energetic sports culture, Jacksonville is a city of genuine scale and ambition in the American Southeast.