Yeah, fluorescent is good at filling up space with light. It's the tube factor. It emits the light better overall (even compact fluorescent screw ins are a little better than incandescent because the actual light emitting part is at the surface kinda).
It's actually really good in a space where you need even lighting rather than good lighting. Works spaces, like in a shop or kitchen, you want less shadows and more coverage, even if it's in that wonky blue that fluorescents have. If you're stuck with a single overhead, fluorescent is just better than incandescent, and can have advantages over LED or halogen. Sure, you'd want to supplement with a surface based directional source, but that's way easier than trying to light with lamps only
