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Written by Arnoldo T. Garza
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Wednesday, 31 October 2007 |
Amelia Island is one of the southernmost of the Sea Islands, a chain of barrier islands that stretches along the east coast of the United States from South Carolina to Florida. It is 13 miles long (21 km) and approximately 4 miles (6 km) wide at its widest point. Amelia Island is situated south of Cumberland Island, Georgia, off the coast of Florida in Nassau County . Fernandina Beach and Amelia City are both located on the island.
It is host to the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance and the Bausch & Lomb Tennis Championships.
History
Known as the "Isle of Eight Flags", it has had the following flags flown over it since 1562: France, Spain, Great Britain, Spain (again), the Patriots of Amelia Island, the Green Cross of Florida, Mexico, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.[1] In colonial history, it became known for an episode called the Amelia Island Affair. Amelia Island was the final location of Santa Catalina de Guale, the main mission of Spanish Florida to the Guale chiefdom.
Historians say that while exploring the St. Mary's river in May 1562 french Capt. Jean Ribaut (1520-1565) named the island "Isle of May".
Amelia Island's first inhabitants were the Timucuan indians, dating apx 4000 b.C.
Fernandina Beach was named in honor of King Ferdinand VII by Governor of Florida in January 1, 1811.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 11 December 2007 )
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