Southwest Florida from A To Z

S Seasons occur here, although they're subtler than those of Northern climes. Summer is when you carry a sweater to wear inside to combat air conditioners set at arctic levels. Locals know it's fall when the license plates start to change hues, as Northerners make their annual migration south. During the winter, trees hang heavy with all manner of citrus. And spring officially begins when the boys of summer and their fans flock to the region for spring training. The Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins hold spring training in Fort Myers while the Texas Rangers are based in Port Charlotte, the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton and the Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota. There are, in fact, a lot of seasons here, including stone-crab season, alligator-mating season, sea turtle nesting season and hurricane season.

T Tourism is the region's lifeblood, with more than 4 million visitors spending more than $2 billion a year. It's because of tourists and the money they spend that Florida has no income tax. It's also largely responsible for the Southwest Florida International Airport's rapid growth, the smorgasbord of restaurants, shops and well-maintained roads. Be nice to the tourists. You were most likely one not so long ago.

U Ultraviolet rays are one of the greatest hazards a newcomer must confront. Coming from more northerly climates, many fledgling Floridians are surprised when their skin burns to a fiery crisp within minutes even when it appears cloudy. Invest in sunscreen. Use it liberally and often. And get rid of those hip microscopic sunglasses. Get a pair that covers the eyes and the sensitive skin that surrounds them-and make sure they protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

V Very rare is the Florida panther, a large tan cat with a whitish belly and a black tip on its tail. Once plentiful in the area; but development and hunting have all but destroyed the species that is Florida's official state animal. Experts estimate fewer than 50 remain. Most are found in unpopulated areas of eastern Lee and Collier counties and are closely monitored by wildlife experts.

W Water, of course, is one of Florida's's major attractions. As much of it as there is in which to swim, boat and fish, the kind you drink, bathe in and use on the lawn is in short supply. In the past year, the region has suffered its most severe drought in a century, prompting authorities to adopt strict usage regulations that dictate when to water and levy fines on violators. Consider putting in native plants that require little water and minimizing grassy areas that require loads of watering.

X X marks the spot. With all the birds here, you can't rely on a trail of breadcrumbs to lead you home from some new destination. This applies nowhere more than Cape Coral. First-time visitors are advised to take a map and good directions. Some joker decided back in the 1950s to set up a north-south, east-west grid and name paved paths as follows: 15th Street SE, 15th Terrace SE, 15th Way SE, 15th Avenue SE, 15th Lane SE. These, of course, are all near each other. There's a whole other set of 15ths-and 16ths and so on-in the NE, NW and SW sectors. (Many of Bradenton's streets in Manatee County suffer the same curse.) Add in the Cape's claim to have as many miles of canals as Venice, Italy, meaning some streets don't go all the way through, and the potential for getting lost multiplies exponentially.

Y Yikes! That's a typical newcomer's reaction at the first sight of a Florida cockroach (locals will insist you call them Palmetto bugs). These insufferable creatures more closely resemble small armored tanks than insects. They're huge. Some can fly. Should you see one and you will, most likely in the middle of the night when you go to the fridge for a drink of water keep a heavy shoe in one hand for swift dispatch. In the morning, invite the exterminator to stop by.

Z Zoos here might not be as grand in scale as some big cities, but they showcase distinctive Florida wildlife. Jungle Gardens in Sarasota features interactive reptile encounters, trained exotic birds and wild flamingos. Caribbean Gardens, home of Jungle Larry's Zoological Park, is an animal preserve and botanical garden that harkens back to the days when tourist attractions were simpler and animals were not computer-operated. Take a guided boat tour, watch monkeys living in natural island habitats, enjoy an animal show and savor a walk on Southwest Florida's wild side.