Sarasota County is located in central western Florida along the Gulf Coast south of Tampa Bay. Sarasota County was officially founded on May 14, 1921 and now contains 572 square miles of land area and 154 square miles of water surface. The county seat is Sarasota.

There's a lot of debate as to where the name "Sarasota" comes from but a variant of the name appeared for the first time on a 1763 land grant map as "Zarazote."

Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota (a beach composed of 99% pure quartz sand) attracts up to 500 couples per year, every year, on St. Valentine's Day. The reason is an open beachside ceremony at sunset where the couples all renew their marriage vows.

Sarasota County has become a major destination for retirees looking to get away from the cold northern winters...