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SARASOTA is located on the west coast of Florida in the central portion of the state. As of the 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 54,349. It is the county seat for Sarasota County.
There is an important distinction between the city and what is perceived as Sarasota. The majority of people living in what is understood as Sarasota, live in unincorporated parts of Sarasota County. Some even live in Manatee County because Sarasota was considered to reach Bowlees Creek before Sarasota County was created in 1921 out of a portion of Manatee County. The southern boundary of Bradenton, the closest city to the north, is twelve miles away.
Other cities in Sarasota County include North Port and Venice, the town of Longboat Key and census designated locations of Bee Ridge, Desota Lake, Englewood, Fruitville, Gulf Gate Estates, Kensington Park, Lake Sarasota, Laurel, The Meadows, Nokomis, North Sarasota, Osprey, Plantation, Ride Wood Heights, Sarasota Springs, Siesta Key, Southgate, Southgate Ridge, South Sarasota, South Venice, Vamo, Venice Gardens and Warm Mineral Springs.