Cape Coral, Florida

Cape Coral is a large city located in Lee County on the Gulf Coast of Florida, United States. Situated in the southwestern part of Florida, Cape Coral is the largest and the main city in the “Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.” Covering an area of 310 sq. km, Cape Coral is the largest city in terms of both population and area between Tampa and Miami. With more than 640km of navigable freshwater and saltwater canals, the city is often nicknamed the “Venice of America.”

Geography Of Cape Coral

Cape Coral covers a total area of 310.8 sq. km, of which 25.7 sq. km is covered by water, and 285.1 sq. km is occupied by land. The city is situated on a large peninsula that is bounded by the Caloosahatchee River in the south and east, and by the Matlacha Pass in the west. The city of Matlacha and Pine Island is situated across the Matlacha Pass in the west, while the city of Fort Myers is located across the Caloosahatchee River in the east. 

Cape Coral contains about 1,800km of roadways. The Interstate 75 highway passes within 16km of the city and connects it with Tampa in the north and Miami and Fort Lauderdale in the southeast. The 1,000m long Cape Coral Bridge links the Cape Coral Parkway with the College Parkway, while the 1.811km long Midpoint Memorial Bridge connects Veterans Parkway with the Colonial Boulevard. Cape Coral is also served by the Southwest Florida International Airport and the Page Field Airport.

Climate Of Cape Coral

Cape Coral experiences long, warm, humid summers and short, pleasant winters. The warm summer season lasts from the middle of May to the beginning of October, with average temperatures ranging between 32.2°C and 24.4°C. The cold winter season lasts from the beginning of December to the beginning of March, with average temperatures ranging between 13.3°C and 23.3°C. The city receives an average rainfall of 52.8 inches per year, the majority of which takes place from June to September. Cape Coral is also affected by the hurricane season that occurs between June and November every year. 

Brief History Of Cape Coral

The city’s history began in 1957 when Leonard and Jack Rosen - the real-estate developers from Baltimore, flew over a peninsula across the Caloosahatchee River. In the same year, the two brothers and a small group of partners bought a tract known as Redfish Point that covered an area of 270 sq. km. The Rosen brothers also set up a land development company named Gulf American Land Corporation to develop the city. Thus, the city’s development as a “planned community” began in 1958, and the construction of the first four homes in the city on the Riverside and Flamingo Drives were completed by May 1958. The city’s population started growing rapidly, and it was officially incorporated in August 1970. 

The Population And Economy Of Cape Coral

As per the latest census, Cape Coral is home to 183,942 inhabitants with a median age of 46.7. The city’s population has increased from the last US census, which showed that the city was home to 154,309 inhabitants. The largest ethnic groups in Cape Coral are the Non-Hispanic White representing 71% of the city’s population, followed by the Hispanic White at 18.5%, African Americans at 4.91%, Asians at 1.78%, and others at 1.58%. About 87.18% of the residents speak English at home as their primary language, while 7.61% of the residents spoke Spanish, 1.70% spoke German, 1.20 spoke Italian, 0.61% spoke French, and 0.41% spoke the Tagalog language. 

The median household income as per the latest census is $61,599, and the median property value is $229,400. The city’s economy employs about 84,600 people in different high-paying industries, including Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Construction works. The city is also home to Cape Coral Technical College, which provides training for students in various fields and is managed by the Lee County public school system.

Tourist Attractions In Cape Coral

SunSplash Family Waterpark

SunSplash Family Waterpark is a 14-acre water park situated at 400 Santa Barbara Boulevard, about 4.02km north of Veterans Parkway in Cape Coral. The SunSplash waterpark is the largest waterpark in Southwest Florida that is currently managed by Cape Coral’s Parks & Recreation Department. The park features several attractions like slides, tube rides, Pirate’s Cove, Electric Slide & Power Surge, Pro Racers, etc., that attract people of all ages, making the SunSplash waterpark a perfect family destination. 

Cape Coral Historical Museum

Established in 1987, the Cape Coral Historical Museum exhibits several artifacts, documents, and photographs related to the history of Cape Coral and Southwest Florida. Managed by the Cape Coral Historical Society, the museum attracts lots of local as well as international tourists and provides an enriching experience for all. 

Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve

Located just to the north of the Veteran’s Parkway, the Four Mile Ecological Preserve is Cape Coral’s second-largest preserved green space that spans an area of 365 acres. This brackish water wetland area features a 4,500ft walking trail through mangroves along the Caloosahatchee River, seasonal kayak rentals, a visitor center, picnic areas, and Veterans Memorial Area. Some of the well-known avian species that can be seen here include eagles, herons, waterfowls, wading birds, songbirds, etc. Other faunal species like snakes, raccoons, gopher tortoises, etc., can also be seen here.