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One of Cape Corals 400 miles
of canals |
Cape Coral
is on the lower Gulf
Coast of Florida, 125 miles south of Tampa. Positioned slightly inland
of the coast and on the Caloosahatchee River, it encompasses 114 square
miles of canals, improved roads and residential houses, making it the
second largest city in area in the state of Florida. Population is
slightly over 100,000 with room to grow because the city has been
platted for 350,000 home sites. With over 4oo miles of salt and
freshwater canals, fishing, boating and building dominate the local
conversation.
Visitors to Cape Coral can easily tour the southwest Florida cities in
the area. Cross the Cape Coral bridge and you'll be in
Fort Myers. North Fort Myers borders northern Cape.
Pine island lies
just 10 minutes west and includes Matlacha,
Bokeelia and
St. James City. A 30 minute drive south will find Estero, Fort Myers
Beach,
Sanibel and
Captiva Island. Naples is about an hour's drive south on US Highway
41 or Interstate 75. The Punta Gorda / Port Charlotte area is 30 minutes
north.
Fort Myers is on the lower
Gulf Coast of Florida, 125 miles south of Tampa. Positioned slightly
inland of the coast and on the Caloosahatchee River, it was best known
as the winter home of Thomas Edison (now, Deion Sanders :-). The city of
Fort Myers is today dwarfed by its newer neighbour, Cape Coral but the
metro area has kept pace. The old city by the river has undergone
renovation after renovation and is worth a look. The drive out McGregor
Boulevard from downtown is unforgettable. Side roads off the Boulevard
are filled with lush, tropical landscapes and wonderful old houses.
The area provides Spring Training for Major
League Baseball and has a Minor League home team. There is winter minor
league hockey in Estero, 20 minutes south. The Southwest Florida
International Airport is 15 minutes southeast of the city. Eco parks
abound with the Orange River area, east of Fort Myers, providing
manatees and other exotics.
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