Sarasota, also known as “SRQ”, “Paradise”, or “Circus City”, is the seat of Sarasota County, Florida. The area is the cultural capital of Florida and known for its environmental amenities, beaches, and resorts, the world famous Ringling Brothers and their circus, and the Ringling Museum. The city is surrounded by Sarasota Bay, Bradenton and Manatee County in the north, and several barrier islands between the bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The islands separating Sarasota Bay from the gulf, include Lido Key and Siesta Key, which are famous worldwide for their white sand beaches. Other keys besides Lido and Siesta, are Bird Key, and Longboat Key.