Gulf of Mexico Coastline, Panama City Beach, Florida

The Gulf of Mexico shoreline at Panama City Beach, Florida, extends past beachfront condominiums and houses along the developed resort strip. Panama City Beach grew rapidly after World War II as improved highway access and large-scale coastal construction turned the area from a small fishing community into one of the Florida Panhandle’s major beach tourism markets. The broad white-sand beach and continuous waterfront development shown here are characteristic of the built coastline that supports the city’s hotel, condominium, and vacation-rental economy.

Photo taken in February 2011.