Lee County is a paradise for water enthusiasts with its many bays and long coastline, along with the Caloosahatchee River which extends to the state's east coast. It is a well-known tourist center dominated by its major city, Ft. Myers, which is famous as the winter home of Thomas Edison. Located in southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, Lee County also offers the exotic offshore barrier islands of Sanibel and Captiva. Lee County has experienced rapid population growth and is the site for Florida's 10th four-year university; Florida Gulf Coast University. Major employers are in health care, communications, land developing and foliage growing. County main roads include I-75 and US 41. Southwest Florida International Airport serves the area.