Pompano Beach

The Florida city of Pompano Beach, located in the northern portion of Broward County, lies along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean about 8 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Centrally located in Florida's famous Gold Coast, the city is situated approximately midway between Miami and Palm Beach (about 35 miles away from each). Pompano Beach is serviced by both Interstate I-95 and the Florida Turnpike.

Named for a species of fish (pompano) which swims abundantly in the area's warm Atlantic waters, the city was originally inhabited by the Tequesta Indians, who survived on the subtropical land by living in villages near the ocean and feasting on its abundant sea life. European colonization eventually led to the destruction of the Tequesta way of life, and the Tribe was replaced in the area by the Seminoles. Until the arrival of the railroad in 1896, the region was not linked to the rest of the nation but after this time the municipality grew and the city of Pompano became incorporated in 1908. In 1947, Pompano officially merged with the beach area to its east to become the city of Pompano Beach. The city today relies on tourism, light manufacturing, retail, and high technology as its principal industries.