Cape Coral is a city in Lee County, Florida, on the state's southwest Gulf Coast, directly across the Caloosahatchee River from Fort Myers. With roughly 245,000 residents, it is one of the largest cities in Florida by both land area and population, and its identity is inseparable from water: more than 400 miles of canals thread through the city, giving a substantial share of its housing direct boating access. The city was developed as a planned waterfront community beginning in the late 1950s, when land speculators carved the canal network and marketed gulf-access lots to northern buyers. That legacy persists today, with canal-front homes, boat lifts, and docks forming a defining feature of the housing market. Newer gated communities such as Cape Harbour, built around a deepwater marina, have added resort-style living, while inland neighborhoods offer more affordable single-family options. Cape Coral's economy and daily life center on recreation and water access. Boating, fishing, and paddling are year-round pursuits, with public ramps and marinas such as Cape Harbour and Tarpon Point providing access to the Caloosahatchee and the Gulf. The city's more than 1,500 acres of parks, the Yacht Club Community Park beach and pier, and Rotary Park's birding trails round out the outdoor landscape. The city's schools belong to the School District of Lee County, and its location places Fort Myers' employment, shopping, and airport within minutes, while Sanibel, Captiva, and the Gulf beaches lie a short drive away. Cape Coral suits boaters and anglers, retirees seeking warm-weather waterfront living, and families drawn to a sunny, outdoor-oriented Gulf Coast community.