Boca Grande, Florida
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Location of Boca Grande, Florida
Boca Grande is a small residential community on Gasparilla Island, South West Florida. It is a part of Charlotte County, Florida
Its name - essentially "Big Mouth" - comes from the mouth of the waterway, called 'Boca Grande Pass' at the southern tip of the island.
Boca Grande enjoys a degree of fame from its annual World's Richest Tarpon Tournament - a fishing competition, offering a considerable cash prize to the lucky winning crew.
Boca Grande also provided the backdrop for Denzel Washington's movie, 'Out of Time', where the quiet village was re-named 'Banyan Quay' in reference to the banyan trees which populate the island.
Hurricane Charley hit Boca Grande heavily in August 2004, causing some 20 billion US dollars' worth of damage to South West Florida. There were no deaths or injuries on the island, but many buildings were damaged and most of the banyan trees were destroyed.
Boca is very popular with affluent holiday makers, many of whom keep a second home on the island. There is a degree of animosity between full time residents and those who come to spend the winter months on the island.
The sleepy community occasionally hosts members of President George W. Bush's family, when they choose to vacation in Florida.
External links
- Boca Beacon newspaper (http://www.bocabeacon.com)
- World's Richest Tarpon Tournament (http://www.worldsrichesttarpon.com)