Just 39 years young,
Cape Coral is growing like a healthy adolescent. In 1957,
the enterprising Rosen brothers purchased 7,000 swampy
acres and transformed them into a livable place. Cape
Coral was born! The city has grown up fast; now
85,000 year-round residents enjoy the moderate climate
along the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast.
The world's largest reverse-osmosis plant
keeps Cape Corallites flush in potable water. That
way they can enjoy picnics, swimming and other leisure
activities in their well-developed city park system. The
Caloosahatchee River runs through town. So does a 400
mile network of fresh and saltwater canals, which can
complicate driving for newcomers. A prominent landmark
is the Cape Coral Bridge, connecting the city to Fort
Myers -- 15.9 million vehicles crossed over in 1994 alone.
Area flora and fauna includes "walking"
mangrove trees, burrowing owls and the great manatee.
Take care around those endangered walrus-like creatures,
though, because "even luring one with lettuce can
bring fines up to $20,000 and a year as a guest of the
state."
You
may look forward to your holidays in Florida and
already start relaxing when packing your suitcase
as you will need not more than a pair of shorts,
tennis shoes, some T-shirts and of course your bathing
shorts. Don't forget a big sun cap, your
sun glasses and especially sun cream with protection
factor 25. You are traveling to the "Sunshine
State" and the nickname really fulfills all
expectations. Florida lies on the same latitude
as the big deserts in this world, the Sahara or
the desert Gobi for example, but in contrary to
those it presents a green excessive vegetation.
Although being
one of the quickest growing cities in the USA,
Cape Coral has not lost the atmosphere of a small
town and its nice flair.
