Oranges have been cultivated around the world. It is a popular, widely used fruit in many countries. Oranges are used to make many products. This article discusses some of the different varieties, uses for oranges, locations of where the fruit is grown and the health benefits.

History
Oranges have been cultivated all over the world for many years. The seeds of the plant were often carried to different regions by exploring or visiting individuals. They are native to southeastern Asia, Indo China and China. The sweet orange has grown in China for many centuries. In 1493, Columbus purchased the seeds of oranges in the Canary Islands. He eventually started a colony in Haiti where he planted orange orchards. The sweet orange was cultivated in the 16th century in Eastern Europe. In 1841, William Wilfskill planted the first orange tree in Los Angeles. He shipped them around the country via railroad. He also sold oranges to gold rush miners.

Significance
Oranges are one of the most important citus fruits because they are univeral. They are grown around the world in suitable climates. In England, they were a sign of wealth and were often used during the holiday season for decorations.

Types
There are three varieties of orange: sweet, loose skinned and bitter. Sweet oranges are great for eating and making orange juice. Some of the varieties are navel, blood oranges and Valencia. Blood oranges have a pigment in the skin that give them a dark red hue. Navel oranges from California are best for eating because they are generally seedless and have thick skins. Loose skinned oranges are part of the Mandrain orange family and are sweet or tart. Bitter oranges are too tart to eat. They are cooked with sugar to make marmalade, essential oils and candied peels. Two varietes are Seville and bergamot. Seville oranges comes from Spain and Florida.

Function
Oranges are often peeled and eaten raw by adults and children. They can also be squeezed into orange juice, which is sold around the world in different forms. Many products are made from oranges. The skin can be grated to make zest, often used in baking and cooking for added flavor. Frozen orange juice is made from the fresh juice and filtered. Sweet orange oil is made by pressing the peel of the orange. The peel is used by some gardners to repell slugs.

Geography
Brazil is the leading country for orange production, with the state of Florida second to Brazil in orange production. California, Texas and Arizona are the only other orange-producing states in the United States. Blood oranges are grown in Italy, Clementines in Morocco and Jaffa oranges in Israel. The United State imports oranges from Austrailia, the Dominic Republic, and Mexico.

Identification
When selecting oranges, look for skin that does not have blemishes, wrinkles and mold. Oranges are often green before they ripen. Over-sized navel oranges are overripe, so smaller ones are better. When Valencia oranges turn ripe on the tree, they turn yellow orange. They have some green on the stem because of the chlorophyll that is redistrubted to the skin. This green is not a sign of immaturity or blemishes.

Benefits
Oranges are loaded with vitamins that protect the immune system. Beta-carotene protects the cells from damage. Calcium protects bones and teeth from becoming brittle. Magnesium helps maintain blood pressure in the body and potassium mantains proper balance in the cells. Thiamin helps convert food into energy and vitamin B6 helps with the production of hemoglobin.