New Smyrna Beach, Coastal city in Volusia County, Florida, United States
New Smyrna Beach lies on Florida's east coast and extends about 17 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon. The city connects wide sandy beaches with a historic downtown core and several barrier islands.
A Scottish physician founded the settlement in the 18th century with colonists from the Mediterranean region and named it after the ancient city of Smyrna. The settlement failed after a few years, but the present city developed later from several smaller communities.
The Arts Center offers regular workshops and public events where visitors can interact with artists from different countries. The local art scene shapes the cityscape with galleries and studios along Canal Street.
Many beach sections allow driving directly on the sand during low tide, with marked areas separating different activities. Water temperature remains mild throughout the year, with particularly pleasant conditions between spring and fall.
The lagoon houses more than 4300 species of plants and animals, including dolphins and manatees that often swim close to shore. Sharks are common in the shallow waters, which has given this place a reputation as an area with many human and shark encounters.
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