This route runs through Pine Island, an island located west of Fort Myers and separated from the mainland by extensive mangrove areas and estuaries. Unlike other barrier islands of southwest Florida, Pine Island has no ocean beaches or intensive tourist development, which has allowed it to preserve a rural character and a strong connection to traditional activities.
Historically, Pine Island has been associated with commercial fishing and agriculture, particularly the cultivation of tropical fruits. Small communities such as Bokeelia, Pineland, and St. James City structure the territory, maintaining a close relationship with the natural environment and the marine resources that surround the island.
The island’s landscape is dominated by canals, mangroves, and agricultural areas, with a limited road network that encourages slow travel and observation of the surroundings. This configuration makes the route an experience that contrasts with the predominant model of coastal urbanization in other parts of the state.
The route allows an understanding of a form of territorial occupation based on adaptation to the environment and controlled development, offering a different view of the southwest Florida coastline.
The complete route and its historical context are part of Discovering Florida – Volume 2.
