Pensacola

Port in northwest Florida, USA, on Pensacola Bay in the Gulf of Mexico; population (2000) 56,300. It is the largest natural deep-water harbour in Florida, and contains shipyards and a large naval air-training station (1914). Industries include fishing, and the production of chemicals, synthetic fibres, pulp, and paper. Pensacola developed around a Spanish fort in the 18th century.

The landlocked harbour-site was first settled by the Spanish in 1559, abandoned in 1661 after a hurricane, and resettled in 1698 with the building of the Spanish fort which is now Fort Pickens. It passed to the British in 1763, and was returned to the Spanish in the early 1780s. It was seized by US forces in 1814 and 1818, and was formally ceded with the rest of Florida in 1821. Union forces gained control of the city in 1862, during the Civil War.

The Historic Pensacola Village, in the old Seville District waterfront area, contains early domestic architecture, and a number of museums. The University of West Florida is situated in the city.