Charlotte County was established on April 23, 1921. In 1565 it was named "Carlos Bay" and in 1775 the English changed it to Charlotte Harbor. Charlotte County is located on the Gulf Coast between Sarasota and Fort Myers with eleven other cities/towns. Charlotte County is about 819 sq. miles and it has 219 miles of coastline. According to Money Magazine, Charlotte County is the best place to live in the South. It ranked in the top five for four years in a row for its affordable housing and inexpensive living. Also for its sunshine, low crime rate and job growth. Charlotte County is considered to be one of the cleanest counties in Florida. Forbes recognized Punta Gorda, Charlotte County's county seat and its only incorporated city, as #22 on the list of Best Performing Small Cities for three years in a row. It ranked #1 in 2005 as far as inroads made in wages and salaries in the past 5 years. Other factors considered were high technology and population growth. Punta Gorda is one of the state's "Small Town Gems", says Florida Trend magazine for its "...Old Florida charm, civic pride and Forward momentum."