Amelia Island is part of the Sea Islands located off the coasts of the United States from South Carolina down to Florida. At its widest point, Amelia Island is four miles wide; it is 13 miles long. The communities of Amelia City and Fernandina Beach are both located on the island. Fernandina Marina lies at the center of this fascinating little island in the heart of Fernandina Beach. The island was named after Princess Amelia, the daughter of King George II of England.
Fernandina Beach is called the "Isle of 8 Flags" because of the eight countries' banners that have been raised over the island since around the 1660s. These sovereign nations include Mexico, the Green Flag of Florida, the Navy Jack (flag of the southern states during the Civil War), France, Great Britain and two helpings of Spain.
About 45 minutes into a western inlet lies a natural deep water harbor called Port of Fernandina. The port provides terminal services to more than a dozen pulp and paper mills scattered around the state. It also serves a number of container lines into and out of several countries in South America; namely, Columbia, Haiti, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic to name a few.
At the north end of Amelia Island is a pentagonal fortification called Fort Clinch. While the current compound was not constructed until the 1800s, the site has been occupied by military troops off and on since 1736. This is because it occupies a strategic site at the entrance to St Marys River, which opens into Cumberland Sound.
St Marys River (that's right; spelling it with an apostrophe is actually incorrect) is the southernmost point in the state of Georgia and forms part of its border with Florida. There is actually a real river called the Styx (not to be confused with the mythical boundary between Earth and Hell) from which St Marys River emerges as a tiny stream. Cumberland Sound is a strait between Georgia and Florida that flows into St Marys River (or out of, depending on your prospective).
Fort Clinch was made part of the Florida park system in 1935. Among its facilities are a family campground, a youth camping area and self-guided nature trails. Visitors may also take part in daily tours and watch re-enactments of what life was like in a military garrison. Visitors also come to Amelia Island for the sunbathing, beachcombing and swimming. Fishing is also popular here.
In the rocky waters off Fort Clinch, fishermen try their luck with trout, redfish and sheephead. At high mean tide, when the rocks are barely visible, the main fish caught are large tiger-striped sheephead (circa eight pounds) and the odd redfish. At high tide the rocks are totally submerged and this is when the redfish bite.
For all its peaceful and quiet appearance, Amelia Island is a bustling little place. The houses around Fernandina Marina are expansive and beautiful. The area is also popular with tourists for the outdoor activities and historical interest. The marina itself is kept going by a manager who works full-time with a maintenance engineer, an accountant and four assistant dockmasters.
Fernandina Beach is called the "Isle of 8 Flags" because of the eight countries' banners that have been raised over the island since around the 1660s. These sovereign nations include Mexico, the Green Flag of Florida, the Navy Jack (flag of the southern states during the Civil War), France, Great Britain and two helpings of Spain.
About 45 minutes into a western inlet lies a natural deep water harbor called Port of Fernandina. The port provides terminal services to more than a dozen pulp and paper mills scattered around the state. It also serves a number of container lines into and out of several countries in South America; namely, Columbia, Haiti, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic to name a few.
At the north end of Amelia Island is a pentagonal fortification called Fort Clinch. While the current compound was not constructed until the 1800s, the site has been occupied by military troops off and on since 1736. This is because it occupies a strategic site at the entrance to St Marys River, which opens into Cumberland Sound.
St Marys River (that's right; spelling it with an apostrophe is actually incorrect) is the southernmost point in the state of Georgia and forms part of its border with Florida. There is actually a real river called the Styx (not to be confused with the mythical boundary between Earth and Hell) from which St Marys River emerges as a tiny stream. Cumberland Sound is a strait between Georgia and Florida that flows into St Marys River (or out of, depending on your prospective).
Fort Clinch was made part of the Florida park system in 1935. Among its facilities are a family campground, a youth camping area and self-guided nature trails. Visitors may also take part in daily tours and watch re-enactments of what life was like in a military garrison. Visitors also come to Amelia Island for the sunbathing, beachcombing and swimming. Fishing is also popular here.
In the rocky waters off Fort Clinch, fishermen try their luck with trout, redfish and sheephead. At high mean tide, when the rocks are barely visible, the main fish caught are large tiger-striped sheephead (circa eight pounds) and the odd redfish. At high tide the rocks are totally submerged and this is when the redfish bite.
For all its peaceful and quiet appearance, Amelia Island is a bustling little place. The houses around Fernandina Marina are expansive and beautiful. The area is also popular with tourists for the outdoor activities and historical interest. The marina itself is kept going by a manager who works full-time with a maintenance engineer, an accountant and four assistant dockmasters.
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