Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands, measuring 24 square miles. It is believed that at least 2,000 years before Christ, the ancestors of the tribe of Calusa Indians inhabited what was then a remote island. They were the only known inhabitants through the late 19th Century. The Calusa tribe knew well how to fish with woven nets and as a result dined on clams, mussels, oysters, turtles and fish. As artisans, they also made impressive clothing, jewelry and clay masks. They built shell mounds that remain today the highest points of Collier County. The Calusa Indians were known as fierce warriors, but could not overcome the diseases brought by European explorers and Spanish conquistadors.

Today Marco Island has a population of approximately 15,000 to 35,000 people depending on the time of year. It is a hot spot for conventions held in its beautiful hotels lining shimmering beaches, and as with neighboring Naples, it is a popular winter destination for those wanting to come out of the cold. ...» see details