Punta Gorda, FL

Punta Gorda (/ˌpʌntə ˈɡɔːrdə/; English: Fat Point) is a city located in Southwest Florida, United States. It is the county seat of Charlotte County. As of the 2020 census, Punta Gorda had a population of 19,471. Punta Gorda is the principal city of the Punta Gorda metropolitan statistical area, part of the North Port-Bradenton Florida combined statistical area.

Punta Gorda was the scene of massive destruction after Charley, a Category 4 hurricane, came through the city on August 13, 2004. Charley was the strongest tropical system to hit Florida since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and the first hurricane since Hurricane Donna in 1960 to make a direct hit on Florida’s southwest coast. In the years following the storm, buildings were restored or built to hurricane-resistant building codes. The new buildings, restorations, and amenities concurrently preserved the city’s past, while showcasing newer facilities. During this time, Laishley Park Municipal Marina was built and the Harborwalk, Linear Park, and various trails were created throughout the city for bicycle and pedestrian traffic.