Fun and Interesting Facts

*The name, Punta Gorda, founded in 1887, comes from the Spanish, meaning “Fat Point.” This historic small town is a hidden treasure of Florida and lies as a “Fat Point” jutting out into Charlotte Harbor – one of the US’s largest natural harbors.

*Punta Gorda finished second in the nation in 2020 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards - Best Small Town Food Scene.

*Year-round, there are two weekly, pet friendly, Farmer's Markets in Punta Gorda: downtown market on Saturday morning and the History Park Market on Sunday morning.

*920,503 passengers used Punta Gorda Airport in 2022 representing an increase of 17.53% compared to 2021 (783,230).

*Allegiant Airlines operated 57 different routes from Punta Gorda airport.

*Florida has more toll roads and bridges than any other state in the Union.

*The small town of Pierson in Northeast Florida is known as the Fern Capital of the World. Ferns from the highest point in Florida is only 345 feet above sea level. Britton Hill is in the Florida Panhandle.

*The highest point in Florida's peninsula is Sugarload Mountain near Clermont at 312 feet.

*Florida has more golf courses than any other state and is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in Augustine.

*The Florida Everglades are the only place on the planet where crocodiles and alligators live together.

**Florida's largest river, the St. Johns River, is one of the only few major rivers that flow from south to north.

Florida s the largest producer of watermelons in the country. It also produces the most tomatoes, strawberries and sugar.

*Made mostly of Florida pine, The Belleview Biltmore Resort and Spa, northwest of Tampa Bay is said to be the world's largest occupied wooden structure at 820,000 square feet.

*You may be surprised to learn that in terms of area, Jacksonville, Florida is the largest city in the United States.

*Sure there are long lines at Disney World. After all annual attendance is about 17 million people. That's over 5,000 people per day on AVERAGE> Busy days will see over 100,000.

*It would make sense that mechanical refrigeration was invented in Florida. In 1851 Dr. John Gorrie of the little town of Apalachicola created the invention.