Naples, Florida

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Naples, Florida
Official seal of Naples, Florida
Seal
Location in Collier County and the state of Florida
Location in Collier County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 26°9′11″N 81°47′55″W / 26.15306, -81.79861
Country Flag of the United States United States
State Flag of Florida Florida
County  Collier
Settled 6 November 1886
Incorporated (town) 1925
Incorporated (city) 25 May 1949
Government
 - Type Council-Manager
 - Mayor Bill Barnett 
 - City Manager A. William Moss 
Area [1]
 - City 14.4 sq mi (37.3 km²)
 - Land 12.03 sq mi (31.1 km²)
 - Water 2.38 sq mi (6.2 km²)  16.53%
Elevation [2] 3 ft (1 m)
Population (1 July 2006)[3]
 - City 21,804
 - Density 1,744.3/sq mi (673.5/km²)
 - Metro 314,649
  Census Bureau estimate
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 34101-34110, 34112-34114, 34116-34117, 34119-34120
Area code(s) 239
FIPS code 12-47625[4]
GNIS feature ID 0287528[5]
Website: http://www.naplesgov.com

Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, USA. As of 1 July 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population at 21,804.[3] Naples is a Principal City of the Naples-Marco Island, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated total population of 314,649 on 1 July 2006.[6] Despite being the largest city in Collier County, the city of Naples is not its county seat; rather the county seat is located east of the city in unincorporated East Naples.[7]

Contents

[edit] History

Naples was founded during the late 1880s by former Confederate general and Kentucky U.S. Senator John Stuart Williams and his partner, Louisville businessman Walter N. Haldeman, the publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal. Throughout the 1870s and '80's, magazine and newspaper stories telling of the area's mild climate and abundant fish and game likened it to the sunny Italian peninsula. The name Naples caught on when promoters described the bay as "surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy".

[edit] Geography

The Sugden Community Theatre, Home Of The Naples Players, at 701 5th Avenue South
The Sugden Community Theatre, Home Of The Naples Players, at 701 5th Avenue South
Historic town centre of Naples at the intersection of 12th Avenue South and 3rd Street South
Historic town centre of Naples at the intersection of 12th Avenue South and 3rd Street South
Naples City Dock
Naples City Dock
Naples Pier
Naples Pier
The beach and the Pier
The beach and the Pier

Naples is located at 26°9′11″N, 81°47′55″W (26.152941, -81.798510)[8] on U.S. Highway 41 between Miami (to the east) and Fort Myers (to the north).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37 km²), of which 12.03 square miles (31 km²) is land and 2.38 square miles (6 km²) is water(16.53%).

[edit] Demographics

As of the census[4] of 2008, there were 20,976 people, 10,803 households, and 6,568 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,744.3/sq mi (673.2/km² ). There were 16,956 housing units at an average density of 1,410.0/sq mi (544.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.50% White, 2% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 2.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.2% of the population.

There were 10,803 households out of which 10.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 20.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.38.

In the city the population was spread out with 10.9% under the age of 18, 2.3% from 18 to 24, 14.5% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 42.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 61 years. For every 100 females there were 86.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $58,641, and the median income for a family was $117,040. Males had a median income of $86,092 versus $30,948 for females. The per capita income for the city was $61,141. About 3.1% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Economy

The economy of Naples is largely based on tourism. Along with Marco Island and the Everglades, the city makes up the popular vacation area known as the Paradise Coast. Fortune 1000 company Health Management Associates is located just north of the city limits.

[edit] Education

Naples schools are part of the District School Board of Collier County.

Elementary schools serving Naples include:[9]

Most of the incorporated city limits is zoned to Gulfview Middle School in Naples while small portions are zoned to East Naples Middle School, located outside of Naples in unincorporated area. All of the city limits are zoned to Naples High School.[9]

Some planned developments within Naples are zoned to other schools.[9][10]

Hodges University (formerly International College) offers Associate, Bachelor and Graduate degrees[11], and is located northeast of the city with a second campus in Fort Myers, about 30 miles north of Naples. Ave Maria University, the first Catholic university established in the U.S. since 1963, is located northeast of the city[12]. Florida Gulf Coast University is located just outside of Estero, which is between the cities of Bonita Springs and Fort Myers to the north.

[edit] Healthcare

The region is served by the NCH Healthcare System, which currently has 681 beds between two hospitals, and Physician's Regional Health Care System which has two hospitals and is owned by Health Management Associates, headquartered in Naples, Florida.

[edit] Area attractions

Naples is home to several major land reserves, including the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and Picayune Strand State Forest. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is known not only for its 11,000 acres (45 km²) of landscape and wildlife, but for a two and a half mile length boardwalk winding through the sanctuary.[13]. The Naples area is also home to the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, which dates back to 1919.[14].

The city is served by the Naples Municipal Airport. Continental Connection, operated by Continental Airlines, began regular service (three times daily) to Tampa International Airport in early 2008. DayJet provides nonstop flights to many Florida and South Eastern cities and Yellow Air Taxi also provides service to Key West, Florida. Southwest Florida International Airport, in South Fort Myers, Florida, handles the vast majority of commercial air traffic in and out of the region, which over 8 million passengers in 2007.[15]

Naples is home to an estimated 250 Fortune 500 CEOs.[citation needed]

Downtown Naples is home to The Naples Players, and the 5th Avenue South and 3rd Street South shopping districts, which feature a variety of antique shops. Gallery Row, also downtown, is a concentration among the numerous art galleries spread throughout the downtown area. The Village on Venetian Bay is an upscale open-air shopping district on the Gulf coast. Located directly off of Tamiami Trail are the Waterside Shops, an upscale open-air center home to such high-end retailers as Saks Fifth Avenue, Gucci, Tiffany & Co., and Lacoste. A two-story Barnes and Noble is located on site as well. Near downtown on Naples Bay and the Gordon River is the shopping district Tin City. This open-air shopping center specializes in antiques and handmade local novelties. Naples hosts The Oliver Group Champions Cup of the Outback Champions Tennis Series each year. Naples is also the home to swamp buggy races, held three times each year at the Florida Sports Park.

[edit] Performing Arts and Culture

The Naples Players at the Sugden Community Theatre,[1] along with their Kidzact youth theatre program, has been recognized as one of the top ten Community Theatre companies in the United States.[16] The Philharmonic Center for the Arts, located in North Naples, has played host to celebrities including Bill Cosby, and national tours of Broadway Theatre musicals such as Cats and The Drowsy Chaperone, and musical talents from across the globe[2]. Other resident groups include the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, and Theatre Zone Equity Theatre Company.[17]

The Naples Players

Theatre Zone

The Philharmonic Center

TNP KidzAct Program

[edit] Beaches, Parks and Recreation Areas

The beach on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico is more than 10 miles long, and is noted for its cleanliness and pristine white sand. In 2005, Naples was voted the best beach in America by the Travel Channel.[3]

With more than 80 championship golf courses in the Naples area, Naples is the self-titled "Golf Capital of the World", claiming to have more holes per capita than any other community.

Naples is also within 30 minutes of the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox spring training facilities. The teams are based in the area through the winter and are an important attraction. During the summer months, the Fort Myers Miracle, the single-A team of the Minnesota Twins play at the Fort Myers Sports Complex, while the Boston Red Sox play at City-Of-Palms Park in Downtown Fort Myers.

[edit] Points of interest

[edit] Notable residents

 This section needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2007)

[edit] References

  1. ^ Florida by Place. Population, Housing, Area, and Density: 2000. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  2. ^ Naples, United States Page. Falling Rain Genomics. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  3. ^ a b Annual Estimates of the population for the Incorporated Places of Florida (XLS). US Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  4. ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 (XLS). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2007-07-17.
  7. ^ Collier County Courthouse
  8. ^ US Gazetteer files: 2000 and 1990. United States Census Bureau (2005-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  9. ^ a b c "Zone Maps." District School Board of Collier County.
  10. ^ "Zoning Index Map." City of Naples.
  11. ^ Hodges University. Hodges University. Retrieved on 2008-01-22.
  12. ^ Ave Maria University—About us. Ave Maria University. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  13. ^ Visit us. Audubon Society. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  14. ^ Naples Zoo History. Naples Zoo. Retrieved on 2007-09-10.
  15. ^ Southwest Florida International Airport Total Passengers (PDF). Lee County Port Authority. Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
  16. ^ Information from the Explore Naples website
  17. ^ Theater groups still in play from Naples to Estero : Local : Naples Daily News
  18. ^ Jensen, Trevor. "City's 'favorite uncle' - WGN personality commanded the radio waves for 2 decades with his trend-setting format", 2008-03-27. Retrieved on 2008-03-29. 
  19. ^ MySpace.com - Kerry Conrad - NAPLES, US - Country - www.myspace.com/kerryeliz
  20. ^ Victor Caroli

[edit] External links

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