Fernandina, a port of entry and the capital of Nassau co., Florida, situated on the W. shore of Amelia island, at the entrance of Amelia river, which separates it from the mainland, into Cumberland sound, 160 m. E. by X. of Tallahassee; pop. in 1870, 1,722, of whom 959 were colored. The harbor is landlocked and capacious, and is unsurpassed on the Atlantic coast S. of Chesapeake bay. Vessels drawing 19 or 20 feet of water can cross the bar at high tide, and the largest ships can unload at the wharves. The climate, mild in winter and tempered in summer by the sea breezes, is very healthful. In the vicinity are numerous sugar, cotton, and orange plantations. The town, which is the seat of the Protestant Episcopal bishopric of Florida, contains seven churches, a young ladies' seminary under the charge of the bishop, and a weekly newspaper. It has an important trade in lumber, and possesses a large cotton-ginning establishment and a manufactory of cotton-seed oil. Lines of steamers to Savannah, Charleston, and New York touch here.

The value of the foreign commerce for the year ending June 30, 1873, was $327,859; 52 vessels of 14,789 tons entered from, and 63 of 22,217 tons cleared for foreign ports; entered in the coastwise trade, 112 steamers of 77,708 tons, and 105 sailing vessels of 28,493 tons; cleared, 110 steamers of 76,292 tons, and 106 sailing vessels of 26,021 tons. Fernandina was built by the Spaniards in the early part of this century, but was of little importance until the completion of the Florida railroad, extending from this point to Cedar Keys.