Hollywood is a city in Broward County, Florida, one of the prestigious resort centers of South Florida and a popular destination for wealthy Americans and foreigners buying real estate.
Geography and Climate
The city sits in the southeastern part of Broward County, with roughly 5–6 miles of Atlantic coastline. Its total area is 30.8 square miles, of which 3.46 square miles are water. Hollywood has a tropical climate, with a long, hot, rainy summer and a short, warm, dry winter. Average temperatures range between 69 and 83°F (21–28°C).
Founding
The city was founded in 1920 by Joseph Young, who came to South Florida to build his «dream city.» His vision included Atlantic beaches stretching west with man-made lakes, infrastructure, roads, and an intracoastal waterway. Young wanted large parks, schools, churches, and golf courses. Having spent millions of dollars building the city, he was elected its first mayor in 1925. Young named his new city «Hollywood by the Sea,» to distinguish it from his other real-estate project, «Hollywood-on-the-Hudson,» in New York.
Resort Infrastructure
Hollywood quickly became home to Northerners known as «snowbirds,» fleeing the North in winter and leaving the South in summer. By 1960, Hollywood had more than 2,400 hotel rooms and 12,170 private homes. The city is known for its roughly 2.5-mile beachfront broadwalk, used for walking and jogging, with a separate lane for cyclists and skaters.
Landmarks:
- Hollywood Beach — the main beach, with its wide broadwalk
- Young Circle — the central plaza, named for the city’s founder, ringed by shops, restaurants, and bars
- The Intracoastal Waterway — a popular spot for boat tours and wildlife-watching
- About 60 parks and seven golf courses
Notable Residents and Natives
Hollywood, Florida, has been home to, or the birthplace of, many well-known figures:
Sports:
- Joe DiMaggio (1914–1999) — legendary baseball player
- Davey Allison (1961–1993) — race car driver
- Steve Blake — basketball player
- Mike Napoli — baseball player
Entertainment and the Arts:
- Veronica Lake (1922–1973) — Golden Age Hollywood actress
- Josh Gad — actor, known for musicals and animated films
- Victoria Justice — actress, model, and singer
- Norman Reedus — actor and model
- Janice Dickinson — supermodel and TV personality
Politics and Public Life:
- John Walsh — TV producer, well-known crime-fighting advocate
- Matt Gaetz — U.S. congressman from Florida
Economy
The city is headquarters to several major companies, including aerospace and electronics manufacturer HEICO and the Invicta Watch Group. Tourism and resort-related services remain the backbone of the local economy.
Hollywood, Florida, is a typical American resort town with well-developed infrastructure, drawing both permanent residents and seasonal visitors with its beaches, climate, and proximity to the major cities of Miami and Fort Lauderdale.