Pensacola FL

Pensacola, Florida is an American city on the Gulf of Mexico. It is located in Escambia County and is the county seat. In July 2006, the city had an estimated population of 53,248.http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1255925.html Pensacola is part of the Escambia County School District and has several high schools, middle schools, and elementary schools. There are also numerous private and religious schools in the area. The city is home to a number of colleges and universities, including Pensacola State College, the University of West Florida, and Locklin Technical Center.http://www.campusexplorer.com/colleges/search/?city=8919BCF0

The city's economy is partly based on tourism and recreation. Beach activities including water skiing and jet skiing. The city has several annual festivals and special events. These include the Crawfish Creole Festival, the Fiesta of Five Flags, and the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival.http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/pensacola The city has over 11 million visitors annually.www.flypensacola.com/_files/.../PNS_Air_Service_Overview_July_2010.pdf

Pensacola was first established by Spanish explorers in the 16th century and is the oldest known European settlement in North America.http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/pensacola The city's nickname is the "City of Five Flags". At various times in its history, it has been ruled by Spain, England, France, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Pensacola has the historical distinction of being the oldest colonial settlement in what is now the United States. Colonized by Don Tristan de Luna in 1559, the city was named for a regional Native American tribe.http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Destination-America-2009-Harboring-History.html

Pensacola was the original state capital of Florida.http://www.visitpensacola.com/articles/pensacola-history The city was captured and its territory ceded several times until 1821, when the Spanish government ceded their lands to America, and President Andrew Jackson came to Pensacola to accept Florida into the United States.http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Destination-America-2009-Harboring-History.html

Pensacola is also home to the nation's first U.S. Navy air base, and as such it is sometimes known as the "Cradle of Naval Aviation".http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/pensacola

Pensacola sits at latitude 30° 25' N and longitude 87° 13' W.http://www.travelmath.com/city/Pensacola,+FL It is in the westernmost portion of Florida's panhandle region, approximately 10 miles from the border of Alabama and 60 miles from the city of Mobile. The city sits along several major interstates, including I-10, I-110, and U.S. Routes 90 and 98.http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/pensacola The city covers 22.7 miles of surface area and sits at an elevation of 32 feet.http://www.topix.com/information/pensacola-fl Pensacola is situated along the shores of the Pensacola Bay, which drains into the Gulf of Mexico.http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/florida/pensacola

Pensacola has average annual high temperatures in the 90 degree range during the Summer and average annual low temperatures in the 40s during the Winter.http://www.rssweather.com/climate/Florida/Pensacola/

• Pensacola Beach - A shoreline community with spas, boutiques, restaurants, boat rentals and live concerts.http://www.visitpensacolabeach.com/explore/about.php

• Pensacola Historical Museum - Features educational exhibits on Pensacola's multicultural history.http://www.visitpensacola.com/listings/9551/

• Devilliers Cultural Heritage Museum of Performing Arts - Contains exhibits focused on blues, jazz, and gospel music.http://www.visitpensacola.com/listings/11341/

• Pensacola Little Theatre - A performance venue featuring plays and musicals.http://www.pensacolalittletheatre.com/Home.htm

• National Museum of Naval Aviation - Features 150 restored historical aircrafts, air shows, and an IMAX theater.http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

• Jacqueline Cochran - American pilot and military organizerhttp://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/123591/Jacqueline-Cochran

• Don Sutton - Professional baseball playerhttp://www.bb-ref.org/players/s/suttodo01.shtml

• Paula Ackerman - First female Rabbihttp://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/ackerman-paula