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