POLK COUNTY

Sandwiched between Orlando and Tampa Bay, Polk County is a bit like an overlooked middle child, sometimes overshadowed by flashier younger and older siblings.

But shine a spotlight on the county that sits in the geographical center of Florida and you'll realize that, despite its low profile, Polk County is a special place indeed. It has picturesque small towns and giant master-planned communities; historic tourist attractions and a college designed by a legendary architect; a strong arts community and a diversified economy.

Larger than Rhode Island and as big as Delaware, with a population of more than a half-million, Polk County has a key selling point that also sometimes causes it to be overlooked: its location between two metropolises that are steadily growing toward one other.

But Polk boasts its own rich history and distinctive identity. Tourism was thriving in Polk years before Walt Disney started buying land in Central Florida, and continues to boost the local economy.

Venerable Cypress Gardens, one of Florida's first major tourist draws, has been renovated and enlarged beyond its traditional water-skiing shows and hoop-skirted Southern belles to include an amusement park with heart-stopping rides. And historic Bok Tower Gardens, with its 60-bell carillon tower, remains the perfect place for a pastoral stroll through lush parklands.

Polk County has its share of bustling mid-sized cities, including its two largest, Lakeland, population nearly 90,000, which is on Money magazine's "Best Places to Live in America" list; and Winter Haven, home to almost 28,000. Bartow, population about 16,000 is the county's seat.

A thriving arts scene is also evident, with a string of museums, art centers and theaters. And architecture buffs can see the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright's work in one location on the campus of Florida Southern College.

Fans of the Boys of Summer can watch the Detroit Tigers tune up during spring training in Lakeland, or the Cleveland Indians in Winter Haven.

But it looks like housing may be Polk's next big industry, particularly in the Four Corners area where Polk, Lake, Orange and Osceola meet. Huge new communities, such as ABD Development's Providence, with plans for 4,800 homes, are quickly coming out of the ground.

In addition, at the 365-acre former site of Boardwalk and Baseball at U.S. 27 and I-4, Victor Posner Enterprises is set to build a pedestrian-friendly "Garden City," with brand-name retailers, boutiques, restaurants, offices, a hotel and homes.