Sarasota Sister Cities Association

Citizen Diplomats - Carving a Path toward Peace Since 1963

BRADENTON is a city of 50,000 people in Manatee County, Florida. Originally 'discovered' by Hernando De Soto at Shaw's Point in 1539. The city took the name of Dr. Joseph Braden, whose nearby fortlike house was a refuge for early settlers during Native American attacks. It is the county seat of Manatee County.

Bradenton is served by the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in nearby Sarasota, Florida and is connected to St. Petersburg, Florida by the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. The city is surrounded by miles of waterways, both fresh and saltwater. Along the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and into Tampa Bay are over 20 miles of fine Florida beaches - many which are shaded by tall Australian Pines.