Discover the Miracles and Magic of Sanibel and Captiva Islands
From a tiny mangrove seedling drifting in
the Gulf many thousands of years ago were born the Islands of Sanibel and
Captiva. Evidence shows that they were inhabited some 3,500 years ago, possibly
by relatives of the Mayas or the Aztecs of Central America. As early as 1514,
Spanish explorer Ponce De Leon attempted to conquer the Caloosa Indians
occupying this area. It was he who named the large island Ybel after Queen
Isabella. Legend has it that upon the departure of the Indians, the Islands
became a hangout for Pirates, the best known of whom was the cut throat, Jose
Gasparilla. It is romanticized that he held his beautiful female captives on
the island to the north, thus the name, Captiva.
Today, the Islands offer a unique world of
Magic and Miracles. Mother Nature has created a masterpiece of shells, soft
white sand, soothing gulf beaches and incredible natural beauty. Enjoy miles of
scenic bike paths that meander along the Gulf, through wildlife habitats and
quiet neighborhoods. Canoe unspoiled waterways, home to the endangered manatee,
dolphins and hundreds of varieties of birds. Splash and swim in the sun-kissed
Gulf, gather shells along the beach, or simply stretch out under a cabana with
that book you've been wanting to read.
Internationally renowned for their beaches,
shelling and fishing, the Islands also offer a wealth of amenities befitting
their reputation as a top resort destination. Art galleries and live
professional theater... irresistible restaurants, bistros and cafes...
delightful boutiques and shops... intriguing museums... wildlife preserves...
Island style entertainment and nightlife... you can do as much or little as you
like. Doesn't this sound like a great place to visit, live, work,
invest....?
SANIBEL LOCATION - Southwest
Florida's Gulf Coast, between Naples and Sarasota (Lee County, between
Charlotte and Collier Counties).
AVERAGE ANNUAL AIR
TEMPERATURES
- 73.9F average annual
temperature
- 83.3F average annual high
temperature
- 63.9F average annual low
temperature
AREAS OF INTEREST - Fort Myers Beach
on Estero Island, Bonita Springs & Beaches, Fort Myers, Pine Island, Cape
Coral, Lehigh Acres, Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, Cabbage Key, Useppa
Island, Cayo Costa State Island Preserve, North Captiva Island.
AVERAGE ANNUAL WATER
TEMPERATURE
- 77.5F average annual
temperature
- 70.8F average fall/winter
temperature
- 84.1F average spring/summer
temperature
- 66.0F average winter low
temperature
- 87.0F average summer high
temperature
GEOGRAPHY - Miles of White Sand
Beaches on their Gulf shores, dense mangroves forests line the eastern sides of
Sanibel & Captiva Islands. More than half of the islands is preserved as
Wildlife Sanctuaries.
CITY OF SANIBEL,
FLORIDA
FACTS AND
FIGURES
- Island Age 5,000 years
- Island Area 11,600 acres
- Square miles 17.5 Sq. mi.
- Island Shoreline 24.5 mi.
- Mangrove Frontage 9.0 mi.
- Beach Frontage: 15.5 mi.
total
- 11.75 mi. Gulf of Mexico.
- 3.75 mi. San Carlos Bay
- City Incorporated November 5,
1974
LAND
- Conservation lands (Includes SCC-F lands
and all public parks) 7,200 acres
- City Managed Preserve Land 600
acres
- Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
1,200 Acres
- Recreation Uses 575 Acres
- J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife
Refuge 5,400 acres (includes Buck Key)
- Other public facilities 76
acres
- Vacant undeveloped land 400
acres
- Average elevation: 4 ft. above sea
level
- Maximum elevation: 13 ft. above sea
level
- Average Temperature 74
degrees
- Annual Precipitation: 42.3
inches
Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget
- Fiscal 2006/07 budget (including
enterprise funds): $50,368,973
- Tax Valuation Calendar Year 2006:
$4,984,313,080 (used for FY 2007 ad valorem budget)
- Calendar Year 2007: Will not be
established by the Property Appraiser until July 1, 2007.
- Millage Rate: Tax Year
2006/2007
- Operating: 2.5000 mills
- Voted Debt - Sewer: 0.2363
mills
- Voted Debt - Land Acquisition: 0.0475
mills
Major Access Roads To Fort Myers
- Interstate 75 and U.S. 41 north-south
- Alligator Alley and U.S. 41 (east of
Naples) east-west
- Total roads: 80.68 miles
- Paved: 60.56 miles
- Unpaved: 20.12 miles
- Public 61.75 miles
- Private 18.93 miles
- Share Use paths: 22.62 miles
- Causeway Length: 3 miles
- Round trip toll: $6.00
Sanibel Causeway Traffic:
- 1965 - 100,000 vehicles
- 1975 - 795,348
- 1985 - 2,290,961
- 1990 - 3,020,181
- 1995 - 3,199,822
- 2000 - 3,433,769
- 2001 - 3,460,347
- 2002 - 3,430,316
- 2003 - 3,257,747
- 2004 - 3,112,301
- 2005 - 3,648,909
POPULATION
- Sanibel & Captiva Islands 6,012
- Sanibel Island 1975 2,875
- Sanibel Island 1985 4,237
- Sanibel Island 1990 5,468
- Sanibel Island 1995 5,753
- Sanibel Island 1999 5,975
- Sanibel Island 2000 6,064
- Sanibel Island 2001 6,072
- Sanibel Island 2005 6,272
- Median Age 2000 60.5 years
- Registered Voters 2006 5,054
- Seasonal Peak Population 2005 18,000
- Plus Day Visitors 13,000
- Total 31,000
- Fort Myers 47,068
- Lee County 417,114
- Visitors annually Over 1.5 million
Dwelling Units as of January
2005
- Dwelling units: 8,248
- Single family: 3,930
- Multi family: 3,115
- Hotels, motels & cottages:
739
- Timeshare: 384
- Mobil Homes: 80
Sanibel Elementary School (Fall 2005)
Grades K-8
Request our Free Sanibel Island and Captiva Island Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, Florida area. Don't move here without it! Remember: we'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and we will send it right out...
Financing Your Home >Credit Card Mania
Most people know that a checkered credit history can disqualify you for a home loan, and maxed-out credit cards can do the same thing. But what most people don't know is that merely having a large number of credit cards, even with low balances and a history of timely payments, can disqualify you for a home mortgage loan just as quickly.
According to credit experts, having a number of credit cards can be just as detrimental to the granting of further credit as a history of late payments. Lenders look at it this way: If you have ten credit cards, each with a limit of $5,000, that means you have the potential to run up $50,000 in debt virtually any time you choose. That mere possibility makes you a greater risk, from their point of view.
The moral of the story? If you are planning to apply for a home loan in the future, keep only those credit cards you actually need to use and cancel the others.
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- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
