| has gloss | eng: North Central Florida is a region of the U.S. state of Florida. It comprises the north-central part of the state and encompasses Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison, Marion, Putnam, Suwannee and Union counties. The region's principal cities include Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Live Oak, and Palatka. The City of Gainesville is the largest city in the region. It serves as the cultural, educational and commercial center for the North Central Florida Region. It is also the home of the University of Florida, the fourth-largest university in the United States. Like the Florida Panhandle, this region is culturally closer to the Deep South than the rest of the state. |
