The city of Cape Canaveral is located on the east coast of central Florida about one hour's drive east of Orlando. A small, beach community, Cape Canaveral welcomes year-round residents, winter residents, and vacationers. The beaches of Cape Canaveral feature warm, Atlantic water and long stretches of sand that are ideal for swimming, exercising, bicycling, fishing, sunbathing, and just enjoying life. From Cape Canaveral, one can visit the attractions in Orlando, tour Kennedy Space Center, hang out at Ron Jon's surf shop, and take a cruise or charter boat out of Port Canaveral.

Those who like perfectly manicured landscaping, uniform lot sizes, gated communities, and single-family homes only will probably not choose Cape Canaveral, Florida, to live or vacation. To the contrary, part of the immense charm of Cape Canaveral is its lack of conformity, diversity, beautiful old-Florida vegetation, and, of course, proximity to the beach.

The residential streets of Cape Canaveral feature a mixture of run-down homes, duplexes, condominiums, and apartment buildings, older housing that is in better condition, and new, upscale, expensive homes and luxury ocean-front condominiums. A common sight is a new town home duplex on a lot that abuts a run-down apartment building offering daily rentals.

The trend is upward. Most of the remaining vacant lots near the beach have been purchased, and existing buildings are being demolished to be replaced by modern, upscale structures. In short, Cape Canaveral is a mixture of the sleepy, laid-back community that the early astronauts reputedly enjoyed and a casual resort.

So far, the oil leaking from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has not affected the Cape Canaveral beaches at all. There is, however, some concern that the Gulf and Atlantic currents may carry some of the oil around the southern tip of Florida and up the East Coast.http://www.universetoday.com/2010/05/20/oil-slick-on-the-move-towards-florida-possibly-east-coast-of-us/ Specifically, some of the oil may have entered the Loop Current that flows around Florida and joins the Gulf Stream off the East Coast.http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/100504-science-environment-gulf-oil-spill-loop-current-florida/

The shoreline is being monitored by Keep Brevard Beautiful and the Brevard County Emergency Management Office. Volunteers are being recruited to monitor one-half mile sections of the beach on a daily basis.http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/vertical/Sites/%7BCEAB0943-1F37-4E48-833E-AFC3D9CA4058%7D/uploads/%7BFEE8FF8D-6E15-4922-A25D-0896AD0B678F%7D.PDF

Cape Canaveral offers many leisure activities for both residents and tourists.

• Beaches

Located on the Atlantic Ocean, Port Canaveral has miles of beautiful beaches accessible to the public. The east/west streets near the beach in Cape Canaveral dead end at the ocean, and each road has about 12 to 15 parking spaces. There is also a walkway over the dune with stairs leading down to the sand. The most popular places for beachgoers are Jetty Park at Port Canaveral and the Cocoa Beach pier. For fewer people and less activity, go in between. Lifeguards do not cover the entire beaches, so look for places where lifeguards are on duty. One of the most dangerous conditions for swimmers is the ;;rip current. The current can suck even strong swimmers out to sea very quickly. Check with the lifeguards for rip current conditions and directions for survival if you are caught up in a current. The sea water is warm for most of the year. Locals usually do not swim in the winter but tourists are in all year. The water at the shoreline is not as crystal clear as the waters to the south because of the outflow from the adjacent port. The further out you go, the clearer the water. Note: There is a large rusty pipe running the length of the beach right now as part of a sand renourishment project. That will be removed when the project is finished. It is easy to get over the pipe for access to the water.

• Port Canaveral

Port Canaveral is located at the north end of Cape Canaveral. The port is host to commercial tankers, cruise ships, gambling ships, fishing boats, and private pleasure boats. Businesses at the port range from large corporations to small businesses. A considerable number of the businesses are water related, such as ship repairs, pleasure boat building and repairs, marinas, and bait, canvas, welding, fabrication, and boat supplies shops. Charter fishing boats can be reserved for half or whole day fishing expeditions. There are numerous restaurants and bars at Port Canaveral that are frequented for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A range of dining is available, including seafood, steaks, ice cream, home cooking, and deli fare.

Unlike other seaside communities along the east coast, Cape Canaveral is an incorporated city with its own elected mayor. The City Council is composed of five elected commissioners. The administration also includes several advisory boards that work with the City Council on beautification, code enforcement, library, planning and zoning issues. http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={2433C383-687C-4436-8BC3-9B7F53EF1539} The affairs of Cape Canaveral government are subject to the Florida Sunshine Law that requires disclosure of all public business. http://www.myflsunshine.com/sun.nsf/pages/Law

The city budget for 2009-2010 is $13,476,404, down every year since 2006-2007. http://www.cityofcapecanaveral.org/vertical/Sites/%7BCEAB0943-1F37-4E48-833E-AFC3D9CA4058%7D/uploads/%7BA349803A-E7D2-4866-A804-52D66EADCB35%7D.PDF All line items in the current budget decreased compared to last year, except for the Beautification Fund, the Police Education Fund, and the Law Enforcement Trust Fund.

Cape Canaveral received a share of the federal funds allocated to the State of Florida. The city used the funds to grant property tax exemptions that will attract business to the city and keep existing business at home.

• 1513: Ponce de Leon explored areaSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1560's: French establish settlementSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1565: Spanish claimed territory but abandoned it a few months laterSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1812: Becomes part of USASpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1828: Douglas Dummitt first to settle area and operate orange groveSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1840s: More permanent settlers arrivedSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1847: Canaveral lighthouse constructed, 60 ft tallCity of Cape Canaveral Florida: Canaveral Lighthouse (2007)

• 1868: New lighthouse built, 160 ft tallCity of Cape Canaveral Florida: Canaveral Lighthouse (2007)

• 1894: Soil erosion forced lighthouse move to present locationCity of Cape Canaveral Florida: Canaveral Lighthouse (2007)

• 1920s: Population expands after bridge connects to mainlandSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1940: Banana River Naval Air Station built nearbySpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1947: Naval station decommissionedSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1949: Naval station given to Air Force for missile baseSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1950: First rocket launchSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1961: NASA establishes center on Cape CanaveralSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1961: Launch of first person in space Alan Shepherd

• 1963: Renamed Kennedy Space CenterSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1969: Launch of first trip to reach the moon

• 1977: Air Force base deactivatedSpaceline: History of Cape Canaveral (2000)

• 1986: Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch killing all 7 crew memberJFK Space Center Orbiter Vehicles Challenger (October 3, 2000)

• 1993: Lighthouse lens replacedCity of Cape Canaveral Florida: Canaveral Lighthouse (2007)

In the early morning hours of Nov. 23, 2009, the 45th Space Wing launched an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Built by the United Launch Alliance (ULA), the rocket has already deployed a commercial communications satellite, which will deliver video and data services to the Americas, Europe, and Africa.

The next Atlas V launch is scheduled for Dec. 2, 2009, from Cape Canaveral. The Atlas V carries out both government and commercial missions.

ULA: Atlas V successfully deployes Satellite. http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blogs/space/2009/11/ula-atlas-v-successfully-deploys.shtml