By Hunter Alba
If someone were to say that they are traveling to Naples, it might be assumed that they are heading to Italy. However, there could be a chance that they are referring to Naples, a city in southern Florida known for being a retirement village. This can often cause much confusion and cause people to misinterpret the fact that you are not traveling to Italy but rather to Florida to visit your Grandparents.
Naples, Italy is located in southern Italy on the western coast. It was officially established in 470 B.C. Comparatively, Naples, Florida was founded much later in 1886 A.D. It is located on the southwestern coast of Florida. Naples, Italy was originally founded in the ninth century B.C. Back then it was a small coastal village under Greek rule. It was not until 470 B.C. when it was renamed to Neapolis and officially established as a city of the Greek empire. Neapolis was known for being a cultural center, due merchants frequently stopping within in the city and sharing their ideas. It was also given credit for the creation of pizza. On the other hand, Naples, Florida was originally settled by an indigenous tribe of Florida called Calusa. But in 1886, two former confederate generals sailed down the west coast of Florida looking to find a place to build a city. They saw the coastline of Florida and described it as “Surpassing the bay in Naples, Italy” According to Britannica. This quote ended up giving the name of Naples to the land that resembled it so closely.
In Both Naples, Florida and Neapolis, the temperature remains high, especially in the summer. This is the case for Naples, Florida because the water that surrounds it absorbs the sun’s warmth and heats up the land near it. Neapolis is also as hot due to the sea acting as a reservoir of heat and humidity. The average summer temperature in Naples, Florida is 89.5 degrees Fahrenheit. In Neapolis that average is around 86 degrees. But a glaring difference is present in the winter. In Naples, Florida the average winter temperature is 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit. But in Neapolis the average drops to 57 degrees. The temperature changes highlight a key difference in the city’s climates. Although both have hot and humid summers, the winters are quite different in Italy due to the cold fronts that move from the Alps to southern Italy. In Florida, the temperature does not drop much due to the Gulf streams warm ocean currents moderating temperatures along the Florida coast.
Naples is one of the most popular retirement destinations in the United States. This causes the demographic to be shifted heavily towards the elderly side. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 54 percent of Naples’s population is over 65 and the mean age is 66.9 years old. On the other hand, in Naples, Italy only 22 percent of the population is over 65 and the mean age is 47 according to the Italian Census Bureau. It must also be recognized that the population of Naples, Florida is only 19,618. This is dwarfed by Naples, Italy’s population which is just over three million. Even though Naples Italy is bigger than its counterpart in Florida, its population per square mile is almost 4 times as much, meaning that citizens in Italy are often living in smaller apartments within the city rather than bigger houses spread out upon lots. Both cities have a big walking culture because both cities are, well, extremely walkable. In Neapolis it is quite common to stay out late every night, due to most restaurants and clubs only starting to serve people at around 7:00pm. In Naples, Florida it is uncommon to see much nightlife outside of the downtown area due to the more spread-out nature of living.
To conclude, both Naples are significantly different despite their namesake. However, both can be amazing travel destinations.
Pictured: An overlook of Naples, Italy
