Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine (pop. 11,985), city, seat of St. John's County, on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida. The oldest city in the United States (founded 1565), its strategic location was coveted and often fought over (Sir Francis Drake attacked it first in 1586). It did not become part of the union until 1821 (inc. 1824). Today it is a tourist center with light industry and 2 national monuments: the Castillo de San Marcos (1672–96) and Fort Matanzas(1742).

See also: Florida.