Cape Coral /ˈkɒrəl/ is a municipality located in Lee County, Florida, United States, on the Gulf of Mexico. Founded in 1957 and developed as a master-planned, pre-platted community, the city grew to a population of 154,305 by the year 2010.^{[citation needed]} With an area of 120 square miles (310 km²), Cape Coral is the largest city between Tampa and Miami. It is a principal city in the Cape Coral – Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population estimate for the statistical area was 645,899 for 2009. The city is known as a 'Waterfront Wonderland", since with over 400 miles (640 km) of navigable waterways, Cape Coral has more miles of canals than any other city in the world.

Cape Coral was founded in 1957. Real estate developers Leonard and Jack Rosen purchased a 103-square-mile (270 km²) tract known as Redfish Point for $678,000 in that year and, in 1958, began development of the city as a master-planned, pre-platted community.

The Gulf American Corporation (GAC) was formed to develop the area. Canals were dug, streets paved, houses and businesses built.^{[citation needed]} Cape Coral was promoted like no other Florida development. Celebrities were brought in to tout the benefits of "the Cape," as it is known locally. The first building was the Rosens' company headquarters, at the corner of Coronado and Cape Coral Parkway. Cape Coral's first permanent resident was Kenny Schwartz, the Rosens' general manager. Cape Coral's first four homes were completed in May 1958, on Riverside and Flamingo Drives. Gulf American operated a fleet of five Cessna 172 aircraft to show prospective buyers the development flying 108,000 passengers in a single year.