Cape Coral is a city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 102,286 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2006, the city had a population of 151,389, making it the largest city in Southwest Florida. As of July 1, 2006, the population estimate for the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metropolitan area was 571,344.
The City contains a large network of canals, some of which lead to the Gulf of Mexico and some to local lakes. Many houses are along the canals, a large number of which have docks or boat lifts. Fish regularly swim the canals, and can be caught with deep running minnow lures. The fish include Crevalle Jack, catfish, Mullet, and others.
The Cape Coral Bridge connects Cape Coral Parkway to College Parkway in Fort Myers. The Midpoint Memorial Bridge connects Veterans Parkway to Colonial Boulevard, also in Fort Myers. Hancock Bridge Parkway, after intersecting Santa Barbara Boulevard, sweeps north to its approximate terminus on Pine Island Road, with the east end of Hancock Bridge Parkway terminating at U.S. Highway 41.
Since its inception Cape Coral had been known as a "sleepy" community with its large retirement population. This all changed with the population boom of the 1990's that brought with it young working class families. There is still a larger than normal retirement population. While some of the community still has to cross the river to Fort Myers for work and entertainment, this has become less of a requirement with new stores, restaurants and nightclubs opening up every year. Today, Cape Coral offers a lively strip of restaurants and stores along Cape Coral Parkway, Del Prado Blvd. and Pine Island Road. Also, there is an array of activities within the city including Sun Splash Family Waterpark, Mike Greenwell’s Family Fun Park and the brand new, 27,000-sq.-ft. Eagle Skate Park