Fort Lauderdale is located in Broward County, just north of Miami. It lies between Miami Beach and West Palm Beach, along Interstate 95 near the Atlantic seacoast.

In 1838, Maj. William Lauderdale established a fort in the area. The first permanent white settlers came to what is now the city in the 1890s. It began its rapid development into a resort city after World War II.

Downtown Riverwalk, Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Art and Las Olas Boulevard are among local attractions. With seven miles of beaches and 185 miles of local waterways, watersport activities are the most popular forms of recreation. The city is the home of the largest yacht basin in the nation. The Atlantic Ocean invites snorkeling and diving enthusiasts to observe undersea life, sunken ships and coral reefs. Several land and water tours are available. The city's many canals have earned it the nickname, "Venice of America."

Fort Lauderdale is part of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida metro area.