Punta Gorda, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area
| Charlotte County, Florida | ||
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| County | ||
| Charlotte County | ||
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The Charlotte County Courthouse at Punta Gorda in April 2010.
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 Location in the U.S. state of Florida |
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 Florida's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | April 23, 1921 | |
| Named for | Charlotte Harbor | |
| Seat | Punta Gorda | |
| Largest community | Port Charlotte | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 858 sq mi (2,222 km2) | |
| • Land | 680 sq mi (1,761 km2) | |
| • Water | 178 sq mi (461 km2), 20.7% | |
| Population (est.) | ||
| • (2015) | 173,115 | |
| • Density | 235/sq mi (91/km²) | |
| Congressional district | 17th | |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 | |
| Website | www |
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Charlotte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 159,978. Its county seat is Punta Gorda.
Charlotte County comprises the Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the North Port-Sarasota, FL Combined Statistical Area.
Charlotte County was established April 23, 1921. It was named for the Bay of Charlotte Harbor. "Charlotte" came from "Carlos" (Spanish), "Charles" (English), or "Calos" (Calusa Indian). In 1565, the Spanish named "Carlos Bay," followed by the English in 1775 who named the area Charlotte Harbor in tribute to the Queen Charlotte Sophia, wife of King George III. Punta Gorda is the only incorporated city in Charlotte County.
On August 13, 2004 Charlotte County was devastated when Hurricane Charley came ashore near Port Charlotte as a Category 4 hurricane.
Historic places in Charlotte County include the Old Charlotte County Courthouse as well as those on the List of Registered Historic Places in Charlotte County.
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