About Sarasota

   

    

   

  

   

   

General Information about Sarasota

and the Region

Time Zone, Access and Transportation, Emergency Care, Worshipping,

Climatic & Maritime Data, Fauna & Flora.

         

             

  The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is   modern, conveniently located and easily accessible   airport. It provides non-stop flights to many major   cities, including Miami, Houston, Charlotte, Atlanta   and New York.

        

      

   

    

   

Fauna and Flora

With its quasi-tropical climate and its adequate amount of precipitation over the year, the exotic vegetation of Sarasota, blessed by 335 days of sunshine per year, a lush vegetation is flourishing all year round, thus the name of Florida given to the region by the early Spaniards as they discovered the new land.

Azalea, Magnolia, Oleander and Orchids count among Sarasota’s blooming flowers.

Sugar canes, originally a major agricultural resource of Florida, have been widely replaced by citrus fruits, of which the precious juices are being shipped worldwide.

Strawberries and watermelons are seasonal, while kumquats trees grow freely.

And then, there are the magnificent rhododendrons,which grow to gigantic sizes.

Palm-trees of all kind give a nice touch to the panorama in which a variety of exotic tropical plants and trees mix harmoniously. As to coconuts that could drop on our heads, no need to worry, there aren't prospering in public places. Thus, no coconuts, therefore no monkeys, and chimps have developed a more sophisticated life-style.

Nearly Jurassic Park

 Close to Sarasota begin "The Glades".

It’s not Jurassic Park – but close to it. The Glades, which extend to the "Everglades National Park" the Southern tip of Florida, still in their virgin state that dates back to the times when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

Of course, exploring the Glades' tropical wilderness can be a quite rewarding experience, however, it also requires an adventurous spirit. One may feel like going through a time-warpwith a time-machine. For example, here is the picture of a small armored spider.

As one moves South, "Dear Crossing" signs may fade away to be replaced with "Panther Crossings" markings, as panthers were once common. They are now an endangered species, as there aren’t many left, Then, instead of panthers, we are more likely to encounter a bob-cat, coyotes, escaped pythons and other wildlife, such as foxes, raccoons, opossums, skunks, etc.

Nevertheless, here we may also find the most exotic beasts and fowls, such as colorful iguanas strolling across a street, especially as one gets closer to the Boca Grande region or the Braden River. Although they appear to be good to eat, it is suggested to stay away from them – they are not as tame as the dodo-birds were.

In the air, also descendants of the dinosaurs, gliding pelikans are reminiscent of the prehistoric pterodactyls, while in the water we encounter the enormous antediluvian but docile manatees, a multitude of turtles and an estimated million alligators throughout the lakes and water channels.

About Alligators

They are essential to the ecological balance.

While alligators are crocodilians, there are not as dangerous as the crocodiles of the Nile, and in spite of an adult size, some 14 to 15 ft, there are extremely few incidents as they tend to shy away from humans. Nevertheless, whether roaming inside the Glades or not, always stay away from the alligators and especially during the nesting periods. And “never, ever feed alligators”: With a brain the size of a peanut, the alligator might forget good manners and the feeder might suddenly become alligator food.

  Also, alligators cannot be trained as pets. However, alligator wrestling is a spectacular circus performance.

Curious about the size of an alligator, when only the eyes and the nostrils can be seen sticking out of the water? Easy – as a rule of thumbs, estimating the length from nostrils to eyes in inches provides its total length in feet.

Now, having mentioned crocodiles earlier on, there are indeed “salt water crocodiles“ in Florida. These are very ferocious reptiles. And while their natural habitat is in the Southern Everglades, they are known to roam in the wild as far North as Naples.

More about the Natural Food-chain.

Animals in the wild are used to choose their own menu and to feed themselves.

Visitors are kindly reminded not to disturb animals in their natural habitat and not to feed them. Not only can feeding animals

in the wild be dangerous, but these animals tend also to lose their ability to feed themselves and feeding

them might lead them onto the road toward extinction.

 

The City

Sarasota is a University town, with the sprawling residential areas stretching to about 20 miles by 10 miles (35km x 17km). And Bradenton, its adjoining twin-city, covers a similar area.

Further, the Sarasota Bay separates the mainland from the Beaches of Lido Key, Siesta Key and Longboat Key, which are accessed by a combination of causeway & bridges.

Time Zone

Sarasota is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (same as New York City), i.e. 5 hours behind Greenwich Time and 6 hours behind Continental Europe.

In winter, time is changed to Daylight Saving Time, with a 1 hour shift backwards. Caution is, however, recommended as Daylight Saving Time is not necessarily consistent throughout the rest of the world.

Climate

Sarasota is especially privileged by its mild climate: Cooler in Summer than the adjoining Southern regions and warmer in Winter than the Northern and interior regions.

 

 Summer temperatures  may average 900 max.  (I.e. 320 Centigrade) and  720 during the Winter  months, may average 750  max. (that's 240  Centigrade)  and 500 min.  (i.e. 210  Centigrade).

Also, Sarasota itself has an exceptionally good safety record in respect to tropical storms. Incidentally, there is some indication that this a major reason that the Ringling-Barnum Circus, needing a safe harbor for its enormous fleet of trailers sheltering some 2000 people, expensive equipment and an enormous population of wild animals, such as tigers, lions, elephants etc. had selected Sarasota at the time for its Winter Quarters. Nevertheless, one should not take good historic news as a guaranty for the future.

Maritime Information.

Tide information is published in the local papers. There are usually 2 tides per dayl, although at certain periods, and especially in the Bay, there might only be one noticeable tide.

     

  Differences in sea levels between high and low   tide are around 2 ft., that's around 60 to 70cm.

                  

Emergencies.

Sarasota is prepared for all kind of emergencies: Hospitals and health care services meet the highest standards.

For accidents, health, fire and any other safety or security issues, call 911 (spelled nine-one-one) and help will be on its way.

Transportation.

Basic transportation is by car. An excellent highway system provides for convenient inter-cities connections. Speed limits are generally 70mph (approximately 110 km/hr).

In view of the enormous distances in the Us, long distance commute is normally by airplane. For comparison, here is some timing information for traveling by car: Sarasota to Tampa: 1 hour – Sarasota to Orlando: 2 hours – Sarasota to Miami: 4 hours – Sarasota to Atlanta: 1 day – Sarasota to Houston: 1 day – Sarasota to New York: 2 days – Sarasota to California: 5 days.

As in the rest of the country, except New York City, ground ‘mass-transportation’ is essentially non-existent. Rail Roads are for transportation of heavy industrial goods only.

Streetcars have been eliminated entirely, while buses only a few isolated area. Cars ‘mascarading’ as streetcars are just a tourist attraction; they are for hire.

For Intra-City transport, an automobile is an absolute must. Thus, VISITORS ARE WELL ADVISED TO RENT A CAR, as nothing is within walking distance, not even the famous beaches, which are still several miles from Downtown. As to using bicycles, that’s out of the question. Fortunately, car rentals in Florida are among the cheapest in the country, but drivers below the age of 25 are charged extra insurance.

Incidentally, Florida is a ‘no-fault’ automobile accident State.

Alternate means of transportation: Taxi and Uber.

Worshipping

Enlightened spirituality enriches local life.

Also, due to the harmonious coexistence of its cosmopolitan inhabitants, there are numerous worshipping places of various denominations. Visitors are welcomed guests.

TOP

Home General Residential Beaches Cultural Entertainment Sports Architectural Education Business Foreign Investors About Us SRQ Map Contact Us R.E. Investment

© 2006, 2010, 2015

John Buecheler