Cape Coral, Florida
Encyclopedia
Cape Coral is a municipality
located in Lee County
, Florida
, United States
, on the Gulf of Mexico
. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010. With an area of 120 square miles (310.8 km²), Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami. It is a principal city in the Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population estimate for the statistical area was 645,899 for 2009. The city is known as a 'Waterfront Wonderland", since with over 400 miles (640 km) of navigable waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city in the world.
The Gulf American Corporation (GAC) was formed to develop the area. Canals were dug, streets paved, houses and businesses built. Cape Coral was promoted like no other Florida
development. Celebrities were brought in to tout the benefits of "the Cape," as it is known locally. The first building was the Rosens' company headquarters, at the corner of Coronado and Cape Coral Parkway. Cape Coral's first permanent resident was Kenny Schwartz, the Rosens' general manager. Cape Coral's first four homes were completed in May 1958, on Riverside and Flamingo Drives.
Development continued through the early 1960s, mostly on Redfish Point, south of Cape Coral Parkway. By 1963, the population was 2,850; 1,300 buildings had been finished or were under construction; 80 miles (130 km) of road had been built, and 160 miles (260 km) of canals had been dug. The public yacht club, a golf course, medical clinic and shopping center were up and running. A major addition for Cape Coral was the construction of the 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge
across the Caloosahatchee River
, which opened in early 1964. Before the bridge, a trip to Fort Myers was more than 20 miles (32 km) via Del Prado Boulevard and over the Edison Bridge to cross the river.
The city incorporated in August 1970, and its population continued to grow rapidly.
In its early years, Cape Coral was known as a community with many retired residents. This changed with a population and construction boom in the 1990s, which brought in younger families and professionals. Twenty percent of the population is seasonal residents. Nowadays, the city has a wide variety of businesses, retail shops and restaurants on its major arteries: Cape Coral Parkway, Del Prado Boulevard, Santa Barbara Boulevard and Pine Island Road.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 120 square miles (310.8 km²). 110.09 square miles (285.1 km²) of it is land and 9.91 square miles (25.7 km²) of it (9%) is water.
Cape Coral is a large peninsula
and is bordered in the south and east by the Caloosahatchee River
and in the west by Matlacha Pass. The city of Fort Myers lies across the Caloosahatchee River to the south, and Matlacha and Pine Island
lie across Matlacha Pass to the west. Matlache Pass is home to Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
and the state's Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve.
. Cape Coral's canal system is so extensive that local ecology and tides have been affected.
's 18-24 age group is growing at a faster rate than the state of Florida
and the United States
.
As of 2010, there were 78,948 households out of which 23.0% were vacant. In 2000, 29.5% households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% are non-families. 19.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.85.
In 2000, the city's population is spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city is $43,410, and the median income for a family is $47,503. Males have a median income of $32,320 versus $25,068 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,021. 7.0% of the population and 5.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.2% are under the age of 18 and 5.6% are 65 or older.
as their first language
, while 7.61% spoke Spanish
, 1.70% spoke German
, 1.20% spoke Italian
, 0.61% spoke French
, and 0.41% spoke Tagalog
as their mother tongue. In total, 12.81% of the total population spoke languages other than English.
form of government. City Council members are elected at large from seven districts. The mayor
is also elected at large and is the eighth member of the council. The mayor presides over council meetings. The City of Cape Coral provides Police and Fire services within the city.
Interstate 75
passes within 10 miles (16.1 km) of Cape Coral and connects northward to Tampa
and on to the Midwestern states; and southeastward to Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Cape Coral borders on U.S. Highway 41. U.S. 41 and I-75 can be accessed from State Route 78 (Pine Island Road). Within the city a network of arterial roadways are established. Cape Coral has approximately 1100 miles (1,770.3 km) of roadways. In general, the north/south routes are evenly spaced apart every one or two miles (3 km) and most of them have at least four lanes.
Bridges
Cape Coral is connected to Fort Myers by two bridges. The 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge
connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in Fort Myers. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge
connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard. A number of other bridges span the Caloosahatchee River
just east of Cape Coral.
Public transport
Public transit services in Cape Coral are provided by LeeTran
. LeeTran operates 18 fixed-route bus services, including 6 within Cape Coral. Buses operate Monday through Saturday between 5:00 a.m. and 9:45 p.m., depending on the route.
Rail services are not available in Cape Coral. Inter-City bus services are available in neighboring Fort Myers from Amtrak and Greyhound.
Airports
Cape Coral is 14 miles (22.5 km) from Southwest Florida International Airport
(RSW), which serves nearly eight million passengers annually. The airport’s new Midfield Terminal Complex opened in 2005, with three concourses and 28 gates. In 2010, eighteen national and two international airlines, as well as the two major cargo companies, served the airport.
In addition to Southwest Florida International Airport, Cape Coral is also served by Page Field
, a general aviation airport in Fort Myers eight miles (13 km) from Cape Coral. Charlotte County Airport
(PGD) is located in Punta Gorda
, just 10 miles (16.1 km) north of Cape Coral.
Hospitals
Acute care and trauma is provided by Cape Coral Hospital. A 225000 square feet (20,903.2 m²) VA hospital is currently under construction in Cape Coral and will be completed by the end of 2011.
Utilities
The City of Cape Coral operates water and sewer systems for the city. Plans are in place to continue increasing the service area for water, irrigation water and sewer services. The city uses Reverse Osmosis
plants to produce drinking water from brackish groundwater by removing the salt and impurities. Sewage is collected and highly treated to produce reclaimed water
, locally known as "rescued water". Reclaimed water is distributed throughout the City through a dual water pipe system, and used for irrigation. Alternatively, reclaimed water can be discharged into the Caloosahatchee River.
Electric power service in Cape Coral is provided by LCEC, a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative. TECO Energy provides natural gas pipeline service to a limited portion of Cape Coral.
CenturyLink
and Comcast Cable provide the communications infrastructure in Cape Coral. Telecom companies have installed fiber optics throughout the Cape. By one analysis, Cape Coral has broadband
capacity several times greater than that of larger Florida cities. Survivable, underground fiber interconnectivity is in place at the city center. The Cape was among the first in Florida
to deploy the new 4.9 GHz pre-WiMax wireless channel authorized by the FCC in 2003 for exclusive Public Safety use.
There are five public high schools in Cape Coral: Cape Coral High School
, built in the late 1970s, Mariner High School
, which opened in 1987, and Ida S. Baker High School
, founded in 2004 and named after one of the early principals of Cape Coral High School, with the building opening in 2005. The newest high school, Island Coast High School
, opened its doors for the 2008-2009 school year.
In addition, the City of Cape Coral has created a municipal charter school
system consisting of two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The charter schools use the Core Knowledge and Cambridge Curricula. Since the system is public, there is no tuition. The municipal charter schools are available exclusively to children who live in Cape Coral.
The main campus of Edison State College is located immediately south of Cape Coral in Fort Myers. Edison State offers associate and bachelor’s degrees, plus technical training in fields such as Allied Health Programs, Computer Networking & Programming, Business Administration, Paralegal, Criminal Justice and Fire Science. 2009 enrollment was more than 16,000 students on four campuses.
One of Florida’s youngest state universities, Florida Gulf Coast University
(FGCU), opened in 1997 in nearby Fort Myers and now serves more than 12,000 students. FGCU has established a Cape Coral satellite facility, which provides Cape students with a growing offering of core courses. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, including an Executive Master’s program, a College of Business and Engineering and Biotechnology programs.
Other colleges and universities serving the area ar Hodges University, Southwest Florida College and Rassmussen College.
Cape Coral is also home to High Tech North, a postsecondary educational institution operated by the Lee County public school system. It provides training in medical, computer and food-science fields. Employer-specific training, both on and off-site, is available through Business and Industry Services of Lee County which maintains an office in Cape Coral.
and Fort Myers Beach. The area is known by birding enthusiasts for a wide variety of wildlife and the largest population of burrowing owl
s in the state of Florida.
Cape Coral’s 400 miles (643.7 km) canal system provides many residents with waterfront living with access to the Gulf of Mexico
via the broad Caloosahatchee River
and Matlacha Pass. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains three public boat launching facilities. The Gulf of Mexico provides access to smaller tropical islands, rookeries, and sports fishing grounds.
Cape Coral’s cultural assets include the Historical Museum, the Art Studio, the Cape Coral Art League, and the Cultural Park Theater, a 187-seat performing arts facility that serves as home to community actors. In addition, there are several regional arts and performance venues in the immediate area, including the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
Several parks and ecological preserves allow observation of the local wildlife. Elevated nature trails wind through the mangroves
at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve.
Mike Greenwell
founded an amusement park called "Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park" that opened in February 1992.
The area supports waterfowl
, wading birds, migrant songbird
s, gopher tortoise
s, dolphin
s and reptile
s. Rotary Park is home to wading birds, raptors
, butterflies
, foxes and other wildlife.
Nature enthusiasts can track exotic birds and native fish from the boardwalk at Lake Kennedy and watch the West Indian Manatee
s at Sirenia Vista Park. Cape Coral is home to the largest population of Burrowing Owl
s in Florida.
. The Green Iguana
and the Spiny-tailed Iguana
and in 2009, the apex predator
Nile Monitor
was discovered. The iguanas are found throughout southern Florida and generally do not pose a threat. The Nile Monitor is however a large (7–9 feet), fast traveling, fast swimming, carnivore
with a wide diet, which can include fish, fowl, and small mammals. The city's many waterways work against its capture and provide an easy transportation route around the city.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
located in Lee County
Lee County, Florida
Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. Located in southwest Florida, the principal cities in the county are Fort Myers and Cape Coral...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, on the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010. With an area of 120 square miles (310.8 km²), Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami. It is a principal city in the Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population estimate for the statistical area was 645,899 for 2009. The city is known as a 'Waterfront Wonderland", since with over 400 miles (640 km) of navigable waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city in the world.
History
Cape Coral was founded in 1957. Real estate developers Leonard and Jack Rosen purchased a 103 square miles (266.8 km²) tract known as Redfish Point for $678,000 in that year and, in 1958, began development of the city as a master-planned, pre-platted community.The Gulf American Corporation (GAC) was formed to develop the area. Canals were dug, streets paved, houses and businesses built. Cape Coral was promoted like no other Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
development. Celebrities were brought in to tout the benefits of "the Cape," as it is known locally. The first building was the Rosens' company headquarters, at the corner of Coronado and Cape Coral Parkway. Cape Coral's first permanent resident was Kenny Schwartz, the Rosens' general manager. Cape Coral's first four homes were completed in May 1958, on Riverside and Flamingo Drives.
Development continued through the early 1960s, mostly on Redfish Point, south of Cape Coral Parkway. By 1963, the population was 2,850; 1,300 buildings had been finished or were under construction; 80 miles (130 km) of road had been built, and 160 miles (260 km) of canals had been dug. The public yacht club, a golf course, medical clinic and shopping center were up and running. A major addition for Cape Coral was the construction of the 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge
Cape Coral Bridge
The Cape Coral Bridge is a bridge located in Southwest Florida. It spans the Caloosahatchee River connecting Fort Myers and Cape Coral. It is made up of two parallel fixed spans, each long....
across the Caloosahatchee River
Caloosahatchee River
The Caloosahatchee River is a river on the southwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the United States, approximately long. It drains rural areas on the northern edge of the Everglades northwest of Miami...
, which opened in early 1964. Before the bridge, a trip to Fort Myers was more than 20 miles (32 km) via Del Prado Boulevard and over the Edison Bridge to cross the river.
The city incorporated in August 1970, and its population continued to grow rapidly.
In its early years, Cape Coral was known as a community with many retired residents. This changed with a population and construction boom in the 1990s, which brought in younger families and professionals. Twenty percent of the population is seasonal residents. Nowadays, the city has a wide variety of businesses, retail shops and restaurants on its major arteries: Cape Coral Parkway, Del Prado Boulevard, Santa Barbara Boulevard and Pine Island Road.
Geography and climate
Cape Coral is located at 26.639600°N 81.982471°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 120 square miles (310.8 km²). 110.09 square miles (285.1 km²) of it is land and 9.91 square miles (25.7 km²) of it (9%) is water.
Cape Coral is a large peninsula
Peninsula
A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered by water on three sides but connected to mainland. In many Germanic and Celtic languages and also in Baltic, Slavic and Hungarian, peninsulas are called "half-islands"....
and is bordered in the south and east by the Caloosahatchee River
Caloosahatchee River
The Caloosahatchee River is a river on the southwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the United States, approximately long. It drains rural areas on the northern edge of the Everglades northwest of Miami...
and in the west by Matlacha Pass. The city of Fort Myers lies across the Caloosahatchee River to the south, and Matlacha and Pine Island
Pine Island (Lee County, Florida)
Pine Island is an island located in Lee County, Florida, on the Gulf coast of southwest Florida. It is the largest island in the state of Florida, and the 118th largest island in the United States. The Intracoastal Waterway passes through Pine Island Sound, to the west of the island. Matlacha Pass...
lie across Matlacha Pass to the west. Matlache Pass is home to Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge
The Matlacha Pass National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge System, located within the Matlacha Pass estuary, approximately 8 miles northwest of Cape Coral, Florida. The 538 acre refuge was established on September 26, 1908. It is administered as part of the J.N...
and the state's Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve.
Canals
Cape Coral Florida has over 400 miles (643.7 km) of canals, more than any other city in the world. Most of the canals are navigable and some have access to the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
. Cape Coral's canal system is so extensive that local ecology and tides have been affected.
Climate
The area averages 355 days of sunshine each year, but experiences precipitation on 145 days per year. While the summers are very warm, humid and rainy, the winters in Cape Coral are dry with moderate temperatures. Cape Coral receives about 54 inches of rain each year, the majority of which falls from May to September. During the summer months, afternoon rains are heavy yet brief. The city is affected by the annual hurricane season, which begins officially on June 1 and continues through November.| Climate in Cape Coral | |||||||||||||
| Monthly averages | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norm high °F (°C) | 75 (24) | 77 (25) | 80 (27) | 85 (29) | 89 (32) | 91 (33) | 92 (33) | 92 (33) | 90 (32) | 86 (30) | 81 (27) | 77 (25) | 85 (29) |
| Norm low °F (°C) | 54 (12) | 55 (13) | 59 (15) | 63 (17) | 68 (20) | 73 (23) | 74 (23) | 74 (23) | 74 (23) | 69 (21) | 62 (17) | 56 (13) | 65 (18) |
| Precip. in. (cm) | 2.2 (5.7) | 2.1 (5.3) | 2.7 (7.0) | 1.7 (4.2) | 3.4 (8.7) | 9.8 (24.8) | 9.0 (22.8) | 9.5 (24.2) | 7.9 (20.0) | 2.6 (6.6) | 1.7 (4.3) | 1.6 (4.0) | 54.2 (137.6) |
| Avg. no. precip. days | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 145 |
Demographics
As of 2010, Cape Coral was the eleventh largest city in Florida by population. More than 60 percent of the population is between the ages of 15-64 and residents under 25 outnumber residents over 65. Southwest FloridaSouthwest Florida
Southwest Florida is a region of Florida , United States located along its gulf coast, south of the Tampa Bay area, west of Lake Okeechobee and mostly north of the Everglades...
's 18-24 age group is growing at a faster rate than the state of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
| Cape Coral Demographics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Census United States Census, 2010 The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals... |
Cape Coral | Lee County | Florida |
| Total population | 154,305 | 618,754 | 18,801,310 |
| Population, percent change, 2000 to 2010 | |||
| Population density | 1,460.2/sq mi | 788.7/sq mi | 350.6/sq mi |
| White or Caucasian (including White Hispanic) | 88.2% | 83.0% | 75.0% |
| (Non-Hispanic White or Caucasian Non-Hispanic Whites Non-Hispanic Whites or White, Not Hispanic or Latino are people in the United States, as defined by the Census Bureau, who are of the White race and are not of Hispanic or Latino origin/ethnicity. Hence the designation is exclusive in the sense that it defines who is not included as opposed to who is... ) |
73.5% | 71.0% | 57.9% |
| Black or African-American | 4.3% | 8.3% | 16.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 19.5% | 18.3% | 22.5% |
| Asian | 1.5% | 1.4% | 2.4% |
| Native American or Native Alaskan | 0.3% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian | 0.1% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Two or more races (Multiracial) Multiracial American Multiracial Americans, US residents who identify themselves as of "two or more races", were numbered at around 9 million, or 2.9% of the population, in the census of 2010. However there is considerable evidence that the real number is far higher. Prior to the mid-20th century many people hid their... |
2.3% | 2.1% | 2.5% |
| Some Other Race | 3.3% | 4.7% | 3.6% |
As of 2010, there were 78,948 households out of which 23.0% were vacant. In 2000, 29.5% households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% are married couples living together, 9.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% are non-families. 19.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 2.85.
In 2000, the city's population is spread out with 22.6% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.6 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the city is $43,410, and the median income for a family is $47,503. Males have a median income of $32,320 versus $25,068 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,021. 7.0% of the population and 5.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.2% are under the age of 18 and 5.6% are 65 or older.
Languages
As of 2000, 87.18% of residents spoke EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as their first language
First language
A first language is the language a person has learned from birth or within the critical period, or that a person speaks the best and so is often the basis for sociolinguistic identity...
, while 7.61% spoke Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, 1.70% spoke German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, 1.20% spoke Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, 0.61% spoke French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, and 0.41% spoke Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
as their mother tongue. In total, 12.81% of the total population spoke languages other than English.
Government
The City of Cape Coral operates under the council-manager governmentCouncil-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
form of government. City Council members are elected at large from seven districts. The mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
is also elected at large and is the eighth member of the council. The mayor presides over council meetings. The City of Cape Coral provides Police and Fire services within the city.
Infrastructure
RoadwaysInterstate 75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
passes within 10 miles (16.1 km) of Cape Coral and connects northward to Tampa
Tâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
and on to the Midwestern states; and southeastward to Miami/Fort Lauderdale. Cape Coral borders on U.S. Highway 41. U.S. 41 and I-75 can be accessed from State Route 78 (Pine Island Road). Within the city a network of arterial roadways are established. Cape Coral has approximately 1100 miles (1,770.3 km) of roadways. In general, the north/south routes are evenly spaced apart every one or two miles (3 km) and most of them have at least four lanes.
Bridges
Cape Coral is connected to Fort Myers by two bridges. The 3,400 feet (1,000 m) long Cape Coral Bridge
Cape Coral Bridge
The Cape Coral Bridge is a bridge located in Southwest Florida. It spans the Caloosahatchee River connecting Fort Myers and Cape Coral. It is made up of two parallel fixed spans, each long....
connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in Fort Myers. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge
Midpoint Memorial Bridge
The Midpoint Memorial Bridge is a bridge located in Southwest Florida. It spans the Caloosahatchee River, connecting Fort Myers and Cape Coral. It is a four-lane fixed span one and one-quarter mile long...
connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard. A number of other bridges span the Caloosahatchee River
Caloosahatchee River
The Caloosahatchee River is a river on the southwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the United States, approximately long. It drains rural areas on the northern edge of the Everglades northwest of Miami...
just east of Cape Coral.
Public transport
Public transit services in Cape Coral are provided by LeeTran
LeeTran
LeeTran is the transit bus service operated by the Lee County Transit Department, providing service to Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach and much of the unincorporated area of Lee County, Florida. Buses operate Monday through Saturday between 5:00 a.m. and 9:45...
. LeeTran operates 18 fixed-route bus services, including 6 within Cape Coral. Buses operate Monday through Saturday between 5:00 a.m. and 9:45 p.m., depending on the route.
Rail services are not available in Cape Coral. Inter-City bus services are available in neighboring Fort Myers from Amtrak and Greyhound.
Airports
Cape Coral is 14 miles (22.5 km) from Southwest Florida International Airport
Southwest Florida International Airport
-Statistics:-Accidents and incidents:* November 28, 2007 - A single-engine fixed wing aircraft crashed about 9:20 a.m. one mile west of Runway 6. The crash killed the pilot...
(RSW), which serves nearly eight million passengers annually. The airport’s new Midfield Terminal Complex opened in 2005, with three concourses and 28 gates. In 2010, eighteen national and two international airlines, as well as the two major cargo companies, served the airport.
In addition to Southwest Florida International Airport, Cape Coral is also served by Page Field
Page Field
Page Field General Aviation Airport is a public airport located three miles south of the central business district of Fort Myers, a city in Lee County, Florida, United States...
, a general aviation airport in Fort Myers eight miles (13 km) from Cape Coral. Charlotte County Airport
Charlotte County Airport
-Facilities and aircraft:Charlotte County Airport covers an area of which contains three asphalt paved runways: 4/22 measuring , 15/33 measuring , and 9/27 measuring ....
(PGD) is located in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda may refer to:*Punta Gorda, Belize*Punta Gorda, Florida*Punta Gorda Light, Humboldt County, California, USA*Punta Gorda, Montevideo, in Uruguay....
, just 10 miles (16.1 km) north of Cape Coral.
Hospitals
Acute care and trauma is provided by Cape Coral Hospital. A 225000 square feet (20,903.2 m²) VA hospital is currently under construction in Cape Coral and will be completed by the end of 2011.
Utilities
The City of Cape Coral operates water and sewer systems for the city. Plans are in place to continue increasing the service area for water, irrigation water and sewer services. The city uses Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a membrane technical filtration method that removes many types of large molecules and ions from solutions by applying pressure to the solution when it is on one side of a selective membrane. The result is that the solute is retained on the pressurized side of the membrane and...
plants to produce drinking water from brackish groundwater by removing the salt and impurities. Sewage is collected and highly treated to produce reclaimed water
Reclaimed water
Reclaimed water or recycled water, is former wastewater that is treated to remove solids and certain impurities, and used in sustainable landscaping irrigation or to recharge groundwater aquifers...
, locally known as "rescued water". Reclaimed water is distributed throughout the City through a dual water pipe system, and used for irrigation. Alternatively, reclaimed water can be discharged into the Caloosahatchee River.
Electric power service in Cape Coral is provided by LCEC, a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative. TECO Energy provides natural gas pipeline service to a limited portion of Cape Coral.
CenturyLink
CenturyLink
CenturyLink, Inc. is a United States telecommunications firm, headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana. The company, founded as Central Telephone & Electronics Corporation in 1968, later changed its name to Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. in 1971, and then was called CenturyTel, Inc. from 1999 to 2010...
and Comcast Cable provide the communications infrastructure in Cape Coral. Telecom companies have installed fiber optics throughout the Cape. By one analysis, Cape Coral has broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
capacity several times greater than that of larger Florida cities. Survivable, underground fiber interconnectivity is in place at the city center. The Cape was among the first in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
to deploy the new 4.9 GHz pre-WiMax wireless channel authorized by the FCC in 2003 for exclusive Public Safety use.
Economy
The economy in Cape Coral is based on local government services, health care, retail and real estate/construction. The City's Economic Development Office promotes and incentivizes business relocation to Cape Coral. In 2009 the City's top five employers were the Lee County School District, Cape Coral City Hall, Publix Supermarkets, Cape Coral Hospital and Walmart.Real estate
Like many communities in Florida, Cape Coral experienced a real estate boom during the 2000s and was hit hard by the following real estate bust beginning in 2006. In April 2009 the area was listed number 3 out of 25 for the highest Foreclosure Cities in the US according to RealtyTrac. Foreclosures in this market quickly adjusted property values back down to a level that the city had not seen in many years. In late 2009, a new home could be purchased for under $80,000. In 2010 housing inventory returned to normal levels.Education
Cape Coral has continuously expanding public and private school systems with high performance standards. Cape Coral is part of the Lee County School District, which is operated by the Lee County Board of Education. As of 2009, the Board of Education operated 8 elementary, 6 middle and 5 high schools in the Cape.There are five public high schools in Cape Coral: Cape Coral High School
Cape Coral High School
Cape Coral High School is located in Cape Coral, Florida. It is one of four high schools in the city of Cape Coral and is also a part of the Lee County School District system....
, built in the late 1970s, Mariner High School
Mariner High School (Cape Coral, Florida)
Mariner High School is located in Cape Coral, Florida in the Lee County School District and is home to the Mariner Fightin' Tritons. The school is located at 701 Chiquita Blvd. N. in Northern Cape Coral, Florida. The school's students come mainly from Cape Coral, the neighboring villages on Pine...
, which opened in 1987, and Ida S. Baker High School
Ida S. Baker High School
Ida S. Baker High School is a public high school located in Cape Coral, Florida. The school was founded in 2004, and is one of four high schools located in Cape Coral. In 2009, it was named as a grade "A" school. Its current principal is Melissa Robery, who previously was an assistant principal...
, founded in 2004 and named after one of the early principals of Cape Coral High School, with the building opening in 2005. The newest high school, Island Coast High School
Island Coast High School
Island Coast High School is located in Cape Coral, Florida. It is one of four high schools in the city of Cape Coral and is also a part of the Lee County School District. Total enrollment is estimated at about 1,800 students...
, opened its doors for the 2008-2009 school year.
In addition, the City of Cape Coral has created a municipal charter school
Charter school
Charter schools are primary or secondary schools that receive public money but are not subject to some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter...
system consisting of two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The charter schools use the Core Knowledge and Cambridge Curricula. Since the system is public, there is no tuition. The municipal charter schools are available exclusively to children who live in Cape Coral.
The main campus of Edison State College is located immediately south of Cape Coral in Fort Myers. Edison State offers associate and bachelor’s degrees, plus technical training in fields such as Allied Health Programs, Computer Networking & Programming, Business Administration, Paralegal, Criminal Justice and Fire Science. 2009 enrollment was more than 16,000 students on four campuses.
One of Florida’s youngest state universities, Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University, also known as FGCU, is a coeducational public university located just south of the Southwest Florida International Airport in the South Fort Myers region of unincorporated Lee County, Florida, United States. The university belongs to the 11-campus State University...
(FGCU), opened in 1997 in nearby Fort Myers and now serves more than 12,000 students. FGCU has established a Cape Coral satellite facility, which provides Cape students with a growing offering of core courses. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees, including an Executive Master’s program, a College of Business and Engineering and Biotechnology programs.
Other colleges and universities serving the area ar Hodges University, Southwest Florida College and Rassmussen College.
Cape Coral is also home to High Tech North, a postsecondary educational institution operated by the Lee County public school system. It provides training in medical, computer and food-science fields. Employer-specific training, both on and off-site, is available through Business and Industry Services of Lee County which maintains an office in Cape Coral.
Culture and recreation
The city features a sandy beach and fishing pier on the Caloosahatchee River at the public Yacht Basin & Club. Cape Coral is home to the expansive SunSplash Water Park (Virtual Tour of the Waterpark), more than 30 recreational parks, and seven golf courses. Cape Coral offers a variety of Gulf beaches in its immediate neighborhood, such as Sanibel IslandSanibel Island
Sanibel Island is an island located on the Gulf coast of Florida, just offshore of Fort Myers. In 2000, it had an estimated population of 6,064 people...
and Fort Myers Beach. The area is known by birding enthusiasts for a wide variety of wildlife and the largest population of burrowing owl
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl is a tiny but long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing Owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated...
s in the state of Florida.
Cape Coral’s 400 miles (643.7 km) canal system provides many residents with waterfront living with access to the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
via the broad Caloosahatchee River
Caloosahatchee River
The Caloosahatchee River is a river on the southwest Gulf Coast of Florida in the United States, approximately long. It drains rural areas on the northern edge of the Everglades northwest of Miami...
and Matlacha Pass. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains three public boat launching facilities. The Gulf of Mexico provides access to smaller tropical islands, rookeries, and sports fishing grounds.
Cape Coral’s cultural assets include the Historical Museum, the Art Studio, the Cape Coral Art League, and the Cultural Park Theater, a 187-seat performing arts facility that serves as home to community actors. In addition, there are several regional arts and performance venues in the immediate area, including the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.
Several parks and ecological preserves allow observation of the local wildlife. Elevated nature trails wind through the mangroves
Florida mangroves
The Florida mangroves comprise an ecosystem of the coasts of the Florida peninsula, including the Florida Keys. The Florida mangrove community includes three mangrove species, Red Mangrove , Black Mangrove and White Mangrove , and one species that is variously classified as a mangrove or a...
at Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve.
Mike Greenwell
Mike Greenwell
Michael Lewis Greenwell is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire MLB career with the Boston Red Sox . He briefly played a few games for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan , before retiring. Greenwell was nicknamed "The Gator." He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
founded an amusement park called "Mike Greenwell's Bat-A-Ball & Family Fun Park" that opened in February 1992.
Flora and fauna
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, wading birds, migrant songbird
Songbird
A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds . Another name that is sometimes seen as scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin oscen, "a songbird"...
s, gopher tortoise
Gopherus polyphemus
The gopher tortoise is a species of the Gopherus genus native to the southeastern United States. The gopher tortoise is seen as a keystone species because it digs burrows that provide shelter for 360 other animal species...
s, dolphin
Dolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
s and reptile
Reptile
Reptiles are members of a class of air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates which are characterized by laying shelled eggs , and having skin covered in scales and/or scutes. They are tetrapods, either having four limbs or being descended from four-limbed ancestors...
s. Rotary Park is home to wading birds, raptors
Bird of prey
Birds of prey are birds that hunt for food primarily on the wing, using their keen senses, especially vision. They are defined as birds that primarily hunt vertebrates, including other birds. Their talons and beaks tend to be relatively large, powerful and adapted for tearing and/or piercing flesh....
, butterflies
Butterfly
A butterfly is a mainly day-flying insect of the order Lepidoptera, which includes the butterflies and moths. Like other holometabolous insects, the butterfly's life cycle consists of four parts: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most species are diurnal. Butterflies have large, often brightly coloured...
, foxes and other wildlife.
Nature enthusiasts can track exotic birds and native fish from the boardwalk at Lake Kennedy and watch the West Indian Manatee
West Indian Manatee
The West Indian Manatee is a manatee, and the largest surviving member of the aquatic mammal order Sirenia . The West Indian Manatee, Trichechus manatus, is a species distinct from the Amazonian Manatee, T. inunguis, and the West African Manatee, T. senegalensis...
s at Sirenia Vista Park. Cape Coral is home to the largest population of Burrowing Owl
Burrowing Owl
The Burrowing Owl is a tiny but long-legged owl found throughout open landscapes of North and South America. Burrowing Owls can be found in grasslands, rangelands, agricultural areas, deserts, or any other open dry area with low vegetation. They nest and roost in burrows, such as those excavated...
s in Florida.
Invasive species
Cape Coral is home to three invasive speciesInvasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
. The Green Iguana
Green Iguana
The Green Iguana or Common Iguana is a large, arboreal herbivorous species of lizard of the genus Iguana native to Central and South America...
and the Spiny-tailed Iguana
Ctenosaura
Ctenosaura is a genus of lizard commonly known as spinytail iguanas. The genus is part of the large lizard family, Iguanidae and is native to Mexico and Central America. The species range in size from about 5 inches to well over one meter. The distinctive feature of this genus is presence of the...
and in 2009, the apex predator
Apex predator
Apex predators are predators that have no predators of their own, residing at the top of their food chain. Zoologists define predation as the killing and consumption of another organism...
Nile Monitor
Nile monitor
The Nile Monitor, Water Leguaan, or River Leguaan is a large member of the monitor lizard family ....
was discovered. The iguanas are found throughout southern Florida and generally do not pose a threat. The Nile Monitor is however a large (7–9 feet), fast traveling, fast swimming, carnivore
Carnivore
A carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging...
with a wide diet, which can include fish, fowl, and small mammals. The city's many waterways work against its capture and provide an easy transportation route around the city.
City events
- The city holds an annual Independence DayIndependence Day (United States)Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain...
fireworks festival known as Red, White & BOOM!! This is the biggest single day event in the city and a large July 4th display for Southwest Florida. Red, White and BOOM is presented annually by the Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral. - Since 1985, the German-American Club holds an annual OktoberfestOktoberfestOktoberfest, or Wiesn, is a 16–18 day beer festival held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to the first weekend in October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 5 million people attending every year. The...
, styled after the original held in GermanyGermanyGermany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.The event draws on average 30,000 visitors. - The Cape Coral Festival of the Arts is held the second weekend of January every year. The event takes place on Cape Coral Parkway and attracts over 100,000 visitors. Nearly 300 artists and craftspeople from across the nation line the street to make this one of the largest and best attended art festivals in Southwest Florida.
Notable residents
- Echo ChernikEcho ChernikEcho Chernik is an American Art Nouveau artist. Her motif is an art nouveau/jugendstil influenced style, with elaborate decorative borders, women with flowing and entwining hair, sometimes accompanied by elaborate typography.-Early life:Chernik was born in Ellington, Connecticut...
, illustrator - The members of Twisted MethodTwisted MethodTwisted Method was an American nu metal band from Cape Coral, Florida. Formed in 1998, the band released one full-length studio album in 2003 and disbanded in 2005 after guitarist, Andrew Howard was found dead.-History:...
grew up and first formed their band in Cape Coral - Angela WatsonAngela WatsonAngela Christine Watson is an American model and actress best known for her role on the American sitcom Step by Step, where she played one of the daughters of Suzanne Somers' character.-Early years:...
, actress - Bill CunninghamBill CunninghamBill Cunningham is an American talk radio host. His full-time job is hosting The Big Show with Bill Cunningham, a local show on 700 WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio. Cunningham now hosts Live on Sunday Night, it's Bill Cunningham, which is syndicated to over 300 stations by Premiere Radio Networks. He is...
, talk radio host - Greg SpiresGreg SpiresGregory Tyrone Spires is an American football who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
, NFL player - Pat BurkePat BurkePatrick John Burke is a former Irish professional basketball player, who last played with the Polish club Asseco Prokom Sopot...
, NBA player - Earnest GrahamEarnest GrahamEarnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
, NFL Running Back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Lela StarLela StarLela Star is a Cuban American pornographic actress who has performed in over 300 scenes.-Biography:Star debuted in the Hustler-produced Barely Legal 18th Birthday after being discovered by agent, Jim South....
, pornographic actress was born in Cape Coral - Stacy CarterStacy CarterStacy Carter , better known as Miss Kitty or The Kat, is an American former professional wrestling valet.During her tenure in the World Wrestling Federation, she held the Women's Championship once, although she was not a trained wrestler...
, professional wrestler - Seth PetruzelliSeth PetruzelliSeth Petruzelli is an American mixed martial artist, former kickboxer and entrepreneur. He is infamously known as the first man to defeat Kimbo Slice in mixed martial arts competition, knocking him out in 14 seconds. Seth went to school at the University of Central Florida to study Psychology...
- mixed martial artsMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
fighter - The members of GodsmackGodsmackGodsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
live in Cape Coral - Hilary HemingwayHilary HemingwayHilary Hemingway is an American author and wife to author Jeff Lindsay and daughter of Leicester Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's brother. In many of her earlier published works she is included as Lindsay's co-author. She is also an award-winning screenwriter and has worked for studios such as Warner...
, writer, producer and niece of Ernest HemingwayErnest HemingwayErnest Miller Hemingway was an American author and journalist. His economic and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the... - Mike GreenwellMike GreenwellMichael Lewis Greenwell is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire MLB career with the Boston Red Sox . He briefly played a few games for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan , before retiring. Greenwell was nicknamed "The Gator." He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, former Major League Baseball player - Jason SmithJason Smith (curler)Jason Smith is an American curler from Cape Coral, Florida.He was formerly the third, , of John Shuster's team. His other teammates were Jeff Isaacson and John Benton . As a member of this team, he won the 2009 U.S...
, Olympic curler - Nate AllenNate Allen (safety)-Philadelphia Eagles:Allen was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round in the 2010 NFL Draft. After Marlin Jackson suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during organized team activities, Allen was named the starting free safety going into training camp, replacing the 2009 starter,...
, safety for the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Beverly DiRenzo, professional body builder
External links
- City of Cape Coral
- Satellite view of the canals
- Cape Coral Historical Museum
- Pictorial History of Cape Coral
- Cape Coral Gardens
- Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral
- CapeCoral.com
- What's Up Cape Coral
- Cape Coral Barometer
- Cape Coral Weather
- Cape Coral Sailing Club
- Cape Coral Festival of the Arts
- Community Redevelopment Agency of Cape Coral
- Cape Coral Parks and Recreation
- Virtual Tour Cape Coral Rotary Park
- Virtual Tour Cape Coral Sun Splash Family Waterpark