Location

**Fort Myers, Florida**
Government
Nickname: "City of Palms"
Country State County	United States Florida Lee County
Founded	March 24, 1886
Mayor	Jim Humphrey
Geographical characteristics
Area
City	104.7 km² (40.4 sq mi)
Water	82.4 km² (31.8 sq mi) 21.25%
Population
City (2005)	61,412
Density	505.3/km²
Metro	over 540,000
Website: http://www.cityftmyers.com

Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida. The population was 48,208 at the 2000 census. According to the 2005 U.S. Census Bureau's Estimates, the city had a population of 61,412 (pushing past the 50,000 mark in 2003).The city is one of two major cities that make up the Cape Coral-Fort Myers MSA, the other being Cape Coral. As of April, 2005, the population estimate for the metropolitan area was over 540,000.

Established in 1886, Fort Myers is the historical and governmental hub of Lee County. It is the gateway to the Southwest Florida region, which is a major tourist destination in Florida, as well as being a popular place to live for retirees. The winter homes of Thomas Edison (Seminole Lodge) and Henry Ford (The Mangoes), which are both primary tourist attractions in the region, are located on McGregor Boulevard in Fort Myers.

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is located southeast of the city in South Fort Myers, and serves greater Fort Myers, as well as neighboring Charlotte and Collier counties.

Points of interest

Edison and Ford Winter Estates
The city is the home of the Fort Myers Miracle baseball club of the Florida State League, and is the spring training locale for the Boston Red Sox. The Minnesota Twins hold their spring training in suburban South Fort Myers.
Fort Myers shares the Florida Everblades ECHL hockey team, Florida Firecats af2 arena football, and Florida Flame NBA Development League basketball team with nearby Naples.