| The city of Ocala is located 90 minutes | | | | seen around town. |
| north of Tampa and Orlando in Florida. | | | | Horse Fever, a public art project that |
| The city is considered as the heart of | | | | displayed 51 artist-inspired full-size |
| Florida's horse country. | | | | horses around town until their auction, |
| With its rolling terrain, cool climate | | | | raised over $800,000 for animal-related |
| and quaint estates and ranches, it is | | | | charities. There are about 1,000 farms, |
| the perfect backdrop to the wide expanse | | | | of which 600 are estimated to be |
| of beautiful horse farms that make one | | | | Thoroughbred farms, and are located |
| feel as if they're in the bluegrass | | | | within a 50-mile radius. The farms |
| country of Kentucky. Ocala has a unique | | | | attract thousands of visitors annually. |
| climate that is not often felt in other | | | | The City's More Than Just Horses |
| Florida locations. Ocala is probably 10 | | | | Aside from the wonderful farms, breezy |
| degrees colder in the wintertime than | | | | conditions and rolling terrain, the city |
| Orlando, although there is not much | | | | offers a healthy offering of cultural |
| difference in the heat index, since it's | | | | and sporting attractions, aside from its |
| very much the same all over Florida. | | | | world-famous horses and Thoroughbred |
| The only difference is that the city | | | | farms. Combine this comfortable and |
| does not get the ocean breeze other | | | | exciting lifestyle with good public and |
| coastal cities have, because Ocala is | | | | private schools, a 120-acre community |
| located in the center of the state. It's | | | | college campus, over 185 churches and |
| usually in the 90's during the summer | | | | temples throughout the county, excellent |
| months, and February is the coldest | | | | hospital and medical facilities, and one |
| month in the city. The city's population | | | | of the most appealing tax structures in |
| is close to 294,000 and is very much a | | | | the nation. |
| diverse mix. | | | | The real estate picture is thriving here |
| It's Considered As The Racehorse Capital | | | | too, and there are a lot of housing |
| Of The World | | | | options to choose from, whether one's |
| Ocala is the county seat for Marian | | | | looking for single-family homes, large |
| County, which was named in honor of | | | | estates, or a villa complete with |
| Francis Marian. Ocala goes back to the | | | | stables for horses. You could even buy a |
| early 1900's when the city burned to the | | | | whole acre, and start a vegetable farm. |
| ground and was rebuilt in bricks. The | | | | The options are aplenty, and prices are |
| city has made its distinguished mark in | | | | still competitive, as based on the |
| the history of the horse racing | | | | current property prices statewide. |
| industry. | | | | Ocala, and the whole of Marion County as |
| At present, an estimated 3,500 to 5,000 | | | | well, is blessed with a diverse and |
| race horses are born there each year, | | | | vibrant economy. Its manufacturing base |
| which is around 10 percent of the | | | | is strengthened with the growth of the |
| nation's total output, enough for Ocala | | | | commercial and service sectors. The |
| to bill itself as the Horse Capital of | | | | growing population and excellent |
| the World. The whole town revolves | | | | training programs supply a steady |
| around the horse industry, which is | | | | workforce for employers. |
| clearly seen even in the tourist sights | | | | |