For decades after the Second World War, Fort Lauderdale 's economic success was dependent on its tourist industry, and for good reason. With more than 300 miles of navigable waterways, 23 miles of Atlantic beaches, and a myriad of rivers, inlets, and man-made canals, the city of Fort Lauderdale easily lives up to its image as "the Venice of America"--a nickname that appeals to thousands of tourists every year.

The Fort Lauderdale beach and nearby beautiful beaches in southern Florida have been attracting university students on spring or summer break every year since the 1970s. Aside from the beaches, Fort Lauderdale also offers access to the Everglades , to mountain retreats, and has a wide array of museums, resorts, parks, stadiums and stores for the eager tourists and vacationers.

The abundance of water also provides ample port for approximately 40,000 boats, not to mention flotillas of visiting vessels. Water taxis ply waterways to hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing attractions. Port Everglades , the deepest and perhaps most well-known harbor in the state, is also the world's second-largest passenger cruise port. It is said that more than 1 million passengers sail from Fort Lauderdale annually.

Aside from tourism and boating, Fort Lauderdale now supports a diverse range of industries, including marine, manufacturing, finance, insurance, high technology, avionics/aerospace, film and television production. The real estate industry in Fort Lauderdale is also in full swing, from the commercial to the residential.

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