Scenic USA - Florida

Scenic USA offers a collection of select photographs from a wide variety of attractions, points of interest, historic sites, state and
national parks found throughout the United States. Each photo feature is coupled with a brief explanation.
For further detailed information, links to other related sites are provided.

Captiva Island

Photo by Ben Prepelka

     Here in the Sunshine State, boasting 1200 miles of coastline, the tourism industry entertains over 85 million vacationers every year. One of the most popular areas for tourism is Florida's southern Gulf Coast. Here, March winds power a sailboat northward along Captiva Island's shoreline.
     This barrier island, lying just off the coast from Cape Coral, Florida, was separated from Sanibel Island during a devastating 1926 hurricane. The 14 foot storm surge wiped out the island's entire agricultural industry, paving the way for tourism.
     Today, visitors enjoy the island's natural beauty, white sand beaches and the Gulf of Mexico's clear torquoise waters. Captiva is like no other island. Although the streets are lined with vacation homes, this tropical paradise has no hotels to spoil its 20th century charm.

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