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Money Magazine rates area 4th of 300 best places to live in the USA!
| The waters of both the Myakka River and the Peace River flow into an expansive Charlotte Harbor which represents the second largest estuary system in Florida and the nation. Recognizing the importance of preserving the rich biological diversity of the living creatures that the estuary supports, the Environmental Protection Agency recently chose the Peace River to be included in the National Estuary Program. This means the waters of the harbor will be studied intensively to consider what steps should be taken to ensure this vital natural resource is preserved.
The only incorporated city and the oldest municipality in Charlotte County is Punta Gorda. The city's name in Spanish means "broad or fat point" and is the name originally used by early Spanish explorers to refer to an area near the present-day city. Ponce de Leon, in his quest for the "fountain of youth," was the first Spanish explorer to arrive in southwest Florida within the vicinity of Charlotte Harbor. He made two trips to the area, the first in 1513 and the second, in 1521. During his second trip here, he received a wound in a skirmish with Indians which ultimately led to his death. Punta Gorda has received a historic district designation for its downtown and is actively engaged in many restoration and beautification projects there. The unincorporated Port Charlotte area has the largest concentration of population in Charlotte County. The community was developed in the late 1950s. In addition to its natural proximity to Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico, Port Charlotte has numerous man-made canals in many of its neighborhoods. Citizens increasingly realize that the treasures represented in the bountiful waters of Charlotte Harbor are the key to their enjoyment of this lovely area. And although Ponce de Leon did not feel successful in his search for the "fountain of youth," many of today's residents of Charlotte County will tell you that such a fountain does indeed exist in this place. One only has to see Charlotte Harbor to believe them. |
Charlotte County surrounds the Peace and Myakka river basins with its
communities of Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor, Murdock, Punta Gorda, Englewood, Grove
City, Rotonda, Cape Haze and Placida. Population growth in Charlotte County ranks it as
one of the fastest growing counties in Florida. Growth has occurred primarily along
Charlotte's 129 square miles of waterways.