Naples is a small city in Florida which houses a population of just over 20,000 people. It was founded in the 1860s by settlers Joe Wiggins and Roger Gordon. A river near the city has been named after them. The area has mild weather and a large number of fish. The city was named after Naples, Italy because of its similar climate. The Calusa Indians also dwelled in the area at one time.

Most of the town was purchased in 1887 by Walter N. Haldeman. He was the owner of a popular newspaper company in Kentucky. The first thing Haldeman and his party did upon purchasing the city was to build a pier which ran 600 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico. This would allow ships to dock much more easily. The pier has been demolished and rebuilt three times, and still exists in the city today. Over the years Naples has gained a reputation for being an excellent resort for people who want to escape winter.

The population soon begin to increase, and the most popular section of the town was the Naples hotel. This was a popular place for many famous celebrities such as Gary Cooper and Thomas Edison. The price of the property soon begin to increase. By the early 19th century millions of acres were purchased by Barron Collier, a businessman who made a fortune in advertising on street cars. He was certain that Florida would have the same amount of growth which was seen along the east coast during the 1920s. The first thing he wanted to do was build railroads.

Having a railroad system would allow the city to grow due to its transportation system. By 1926 Collier had constructed the Tamiami Trail, and had invested over 1 million dollars of his own money to construct it. At the time it was the only paved highway in the area, and linked both Tampa and Miami together. Naples, Florida is a city which has many attractions. The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is located near interstate 75, and protects many endangered species such as the Wood Stork. The Everglades National Park can also be found near Naples.

The large number of wildlife in the area is very apparent, especially with the Naples Zoo and Caribbean Gardens. Even though Naples is a small city, it has its own airport which is named the Naples Municipal Airport. Many celebrities have homes in Naples. These include Larry Bird, Judge Judy, and Steven Spielberg. Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day is also known to have a home in Naples. Because of the number of celebrities which live there, the property values for many homes have greatly increased.

A number of businesses in Naples, Florida offer services in which they provide custom finishing for cabinets, and remodeling for homes. These businesses cater to needs of the many homeowners who live in the area, both celebrities and ordinary people. Hundreds of fortune 500 CEOs live in Naples. The downtown area of Naples features many antique shops and art galleries. Many famous personalities such as Bill Cosby have visited the city, and have performed at the The Philharmonic Center of the Arts. Naples is well known as being one of the most popular cities in the United States for the performing arts.

Naples is also well known for its golf courses. Nearly 80 golf courses have been built in the city. Many musicians regularly tour there. The city is also well known for having upscale hotels such as the Ritz Carlton. Because of the large number of golf courses built in the city, it has been nicknamed the "Golf Capital of The World." The city is also renown for having great beaches and a lush tropical climate.

Another area in which the city of Naples excels is its education. Many of the top schools in Florida can be found in this city. Ave Maria University is also located here. Florida Gulf University can be found to the north. The Naples Botanical Garden is a great place for those who enjoy plants

The city has a large industry which has been built around the real estate field. The Amerivest Realty Brokerage is a prominent company which sales homes and condos. The city also has a large number of dining establishments which caters to those on virtually any budget. Naples is a very wealthy town, and it is a place you will want to visit. Though the weather can get hot, being so close to the Atlantic ocean keeps the city cooler than other cities located in the interior of Florida. There are a large number of things to both see and do, and you will not easily be bored.

The Clam Pass County Park has a boardwalk through the interior of a mangrove forest. This path ends on a beautiful sandy beach. The park also features an electric tram and visitors can also rent canoes or kayaks. The Naples Nature Center is a nonprofit organization which showcases a museum of natural history and a marine aquarium. The American Bald Eagle can also be seen here. For those who plan on visiting Naples, they will be happy to know that the city has a wide variety of transportation. A Greyhound bus station can be found in the city, and it can take you from Naples to Miami in about three hours.

Visitors will also be pleased to know that Naples offers a trolley car tour where they can get to travel around the city. Because of the wealth the city is known for, visitors should expect to bring ample sums of money. It is easy to spend a lot here, though visitors on the budget can get by if they make a few sacrifices. The city is also well known for its many quality services. Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, you will find that this city has much to offer. From the many gardens to the upscale hotels, it is a place which has the look and feel of luxury.