PORT CHARLOTTE & CHARLOTTE COUNTY FLORIDA
Real Estate & Information

PORT CHARLOTTE: Port Charlotte is a postal designation for a large portion of unincorporated Charlotte County. There is no city government or other municipal offices other than those of Charlotte County.   Even though it is not an "Official City", the residents of Port Charlotte are proud of their community and take pride in where they live.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY OVERVIEW:
Charlotte County is defined by it's two widely different sides: The Western part of the county lies along the Gulf of Mexico, with waterfrontage on both the Peace and Myakka Rivers, Charlotte Harbor Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and there are many miles of Gulf access waterfront canals. You'll find shopping malls, restaurants, and acitivies. The the Eastern side is very quiet and rural with citris orchards, cattle ranches, farms and country estates. 

Port Charlotte is located on and around Charlotte Harbor, the 2nd largest Bay in Florida. (Tampa Bay being the largest).  Both the Myakka and Peace River end their journey to the gulf waters in Charlotte County as they flow into Charlotte Harbor. The Gulf Beaches of Englewood, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Palm Island lie on its Western shore and for boaters waterfront property is literally everywhere.

CLIMATE: Port Charlotte is a true Coastal Paradise.  Our temperatures are mitigated by the warm gulf waters and prevailing breeze. The average high temperature in January is 74.5 degrees and the average January Low temperature is 51.1.  Our summers are also cooler than those further inland with an average Summertime high tempature of 90.5  and a nightime average low of 73.0.  The Subtropical climate here comes with only two seasons, the wintertime "dry" season (Oct through April) averages only about 5 days per month with any measurable rain. The Summer "Wet" season (June through September) averages amost 17 days each month with some precipitation, mostly during afternoon thunderstorms. 

NATURE: Charlotte County has some of the most beautiful natural areas of upland and aquatic preserves, pine forrests, and grassy meadows for nature lovers to explore and enjoy.

The winter season brings in migratory birds from the north that enjoy our winter sun as much as our citizens do and bird watching here is a popular pasttime.  

Some of our native, year round birds include American Eagles, Osprey, Herron, Pelicans, Turns, Scrub Jays, Sand Hill Cranes, Wood Storks, Cormorants and many varieties of wading birds. Wildlife in the area includes Deer, Bobcat, Aligators, wild pigs, coyote, and if you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of very rarely seen Florida Panther.

RECREATION: Because Charlotte County encompasses a large part of Charlotte Harbor and includes barrier islands that sit directly on the Gulf of Mexico it is no wonder that boating, fishing, sailing and enjoying the beaches are the most popular recreational activities.

FISHING: With estuarial waters teaming with popular game fish such as snook, trout, redfish, snapper, cobia and grouper and the mighty tarpon, to name only a few, Charlotte County is a fisherman's paradise. From flats fishing to deep water Gulf trolling there is something for every angler.
 
BOATING:
With over a hundred miles of canals, 219 miles of shoreline, marinas and public boat ramps, the opportunities for boating are endless. You can live with your boat parked on a canal in your back yard, you can keep a boat in your garage and launch it from almost any popular location, you can rent a wet slip or keep it in dry storage at any number of local marinas.  Popular boating destinations in local waters are the many waterside restaurants that offer public docking, the accessible by boat only island beaches of Cayo Costa, North Captiva and Don Pedro Island and scenic cruses up the Myaaka or Peace Rivers. For those who have boats and yachts large enough your ports are endless but many love the shorter cruises to the Bahams, Dry Torgugas and Key West  

SAILING: Charlotte Harbor is ranked among the top 10 sailing areas by Sail Magazine. There are many sailing clubs in the area for those who enjoy competition or simply sail to some of our many local ancorages and spend a few days on the water.

BEACHES: The beaches of Englewood, Boca Grande, Don Pedro Island, Stump Pass and Cayo Costa are among the best in Florida.  Sit under the sun or play in the gentle gulf surf or go beach combing for our many species of shells and even find an occassional shark tooth. Don't forget to use sunscreen. Our tropical sun is stronger than you think.

GOLF:

Charlotte County has an abundance of golf courses throughout the county.  Whether you want to stroll through nine holes, ride your cart to play all 18 or just hit a bucket of balls, weve got it all.  Both private clubs and public courses from championship to executive there are courses to fit every level of play.

Services: Along with the many opportunities for an active life you will also find all the services necessary for to support your lifestyle. A major regional shopping mall, national "Big Box" shops like Home Depot, Super Wal Mart, Lowes and Target, national restaurant chains like Red Lobster, Carabas, Olive Garden and many others, and major medical services at three local hospitals. Don't forget there are lots of warm sunny days to enjoy everything, year round.

HISTORY: Archaeological excavations of ancient indian shell mounds indicates that there was a thriving coastal culture established by the Calusa Indians in what is now Charlotte County.

The first recorded  European visitors were the early Spanish explorers who journed here during various expeditions.  It is widely recognized that the area was explored in 1513 by Ponce de Leon. Ponce de Leon returned to the area to establish a settlement in 1521. Before the colony could be established the expedition was attacked by Calusa indians and Ponce De Leon was mortally wounded. The expedition returned to Havan where Ponce died of his wounds and there was no further attempt to settle the area. Hernando DeSoto explored the area during his 1539-42 expedition and there is evidence that there were some temporary Spanish fishing settlements.

The first american settlers came to the area in the early 1800's.  The area was used mostly for cattle ranching and some crops including pineapples were grown in the area.  As the settlements grew, the area of Charlotte County around Punta Gorda became the main area of commerce. Punta Gorda, became the county seat when the county was established in 1921.
 
COMMUNITIES:  Charlotte County communities include it's only incorporated city, Punta Gorda and the unincorporated areas of  Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor, El Jobean, Murdock, Deep Creek. Charlotte County also covers the major portion of The Cape Haze Peninsula inlcuding Englewood, Gulf Cove, South Gulf Cove, Rotonda, Placida and the barrier islands of Englewood Beach, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island, Manasota Key, and Palm Island.
 

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Here are some links to even more information about Charlotte County 
Charlotte County Parks and Recreation
Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Islands
 Charlotte County Government



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