| Collier County came from Lee County and was created in 1923. Collier County received its name from a New York advertising mogul and real estate developer, Barron Collier. Located at the southwestern tip of Florida's Gulf Coast, Collier County has three cities: Marco Island, Naples (county seat) and the Everglades. Collier County is the largest county in Florida by land area, even though more than 80% of it is preserved as park and nature preserve land by federal, state, county, city and private agencies. It is also known as The Paradise Coast for the white sandy beaches of Naples and Marco Island. Marco Island was incorporated as the 400th city of Florida in 1997 and is now home to over 15,000 year round residents and about 35,000 seasonal residents. Naples is considered to be the crown jewel of Southwest Florida. It is known for its shopping, dining and challenging golf courses. It has one of the nation's best sandboxes and calmest seas. The Everglades borders the Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is dominant, but it is the combination of location, climate, and ocean currents that make the Everglades America's only sub-tropical wilderness. |