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MANATEE COUNTY LAKEWOOD RANCH | BRADENTON | ANNA MARIA ISLAND | N LONGBOAT KEY View from the property featured on page 55, Riverview Boulevard. M Manatee County, officially founded in 1855, was visited 300 years earlier by the famous Spanish explorer, Hernando DeSoto, who was taken with the area's unique topography and sub-tropical coastline. The gateway into Southwest Florida, Manatee County, named for the Manatees that frequent the surrounding waters, is home to an assortment of lovely barrier islands, and peppered throughout the area, a collection of casual but sophisticated small towns. This interesting and eclectic coastal county stretches over 5,000 square miles, hugging the shores of both the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay. Leisure and recreational opportunities in Manatee County abound, offering tremendous diversity, and can be enjoyed year-round. Residents have access to some of the world's best beaches, and plenty of space to enjoy an endless array of sporting activities. Home to more than 325,000 residents, the county is comprised of six distinct cities, Bradenton, the largest, is filled with old Florida charm. Several rapidly growing unincorporated master communities, such as Lakewood Ranch, Waterlefe and Grayhawk Landing are very well-suited to families, and offer an abundance of finely appointed homes, phenomenal recreational amenities, and top-rated schools. This upscale growth has had a very positive effect on the local economy and has attracted numerous businesses to the area. The most recent addition to this booming economy is University Town Center, a premier indoor shopping mall that analysts predict, when completed, will become the busiest retail hub between Tampa and Fort Myers. The county's barrier islands offer a myriad of diverse lifestyles, starting with Anna Maria Island, which also happens to be a bird sanctuary. This lovely coastal town is home to two historic fishing piers and sweeping views of Tampa Bay. Just to the south is Holmes Beach, an island community with a beachy hometown feel, and at the southern tip of the island the quirky Bradenton Beach, a favorite of tourists. To the south of Anna Maria Island, the slightly more manicured island of Longboat Key boasts 11 miles of sandy beaches, world class shopping, fine dining, two private golf courses, and an internationally acclaimed tennis resort, all nestled among palm trees and lush tropical vegetation. Manatee County truly has something for everyone. 54 | SaundersBEST Manatee County

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