The mid-sized town of Saraland is located in east-central Mobile County just five miles north of Mobile.  Bayou Sara Creek connects Saraland to the Mobile River, and the city claims an advantageous location north of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.  Served by Interstate 65 and Highway 43, Saraland offers a number of major arteries for surface travel from Shelton Beach Road to Highway 158.  Sparsely populated during the first part of the 20th century, Saraland grew with the expansion of Mobile in the ‘40s and ‘50s.  Just outside of Saraland on a 685-acre campus is the University of Mobile, offering studies that lead to undergraduate degrees in arts and sciences along with paraprofessional training in a variety of disciplines.  The city’s recreation program is highly regarded, and the area’s rich water resources make it ideal for fishing, boating, and swimming.  The Civic Center serves as a hub for community, social, recreational, and cultural events.  The Saraland Civic Forum hosts the largest holiday parade in Mobile County, and active clubs and organizations give newcomers a chance to become immediately involved in community affairs.