Southwest Ranches is a town in southwestern Broward County, Florida, about 15 miles southwest of Fort Lauderdale and just inside the eastern edge of the Everglades. With a population of about 7,600 spread over roughly 13 square miles, it is one of the least densely developed communities in the region, defined by large lots, open space, and a deliberately rural character. The town was incorporated in 2000, making it one of Broward County's newest municipalities, and its name reflects residents' choice to preserve a rural-equestrian way of life. It brought together the former communities of Country Estates, Green Meadow, Ivanhoe Estates, Rolling Oaks, and Sunshine Ranches, along with Landmark Ranch Estates and Sterling Ranch Estates, into a single town committed to maintaining spacious, country-style living. That commitment is visible everywhere. Horse farms, equestrian ranches, and riding schools are scattered through the town, and many properties include stables, pastures, and acreage far larger than the standard South Florida lot. Minimum lot-size requirements and a focus on rural character have kept Southwest Ranches distinct from the dense suburbs that surround it. The town's residents include families, horse owners, and those seeking privacy and open space within commuting distance of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Its position near the Everglades and its network of canals and unpaved rural roads reinforce the country atmosphere. The town provides municipal services while leaving much of its land in private, low-density use, and community life is shaped as much by horses and open land as by the schools and neighborhoods typical of suburban Broward County.