Now the largest city in the county, Altamonte Springs experienced its first population boom after the construction of the Altamonte Mall in the early '70s.  The attractive, two-story complex was an immediate success, driving growth of residential neighborhoods and supporting industries.  The fact that Highway 436 winds through Altamonte Springs has transformed the town into a magnet for national retailers, restaurants, and a diversity of businesses.  Along the heavily traveled corridor of Highway 436 are major landmarks like Altamonte Mall and Florida Hospital Altamonte, a full-service, state-of-the-art healthcare resource for the surrounding area.  The city library and cultural center are both located on Maitland Avenue.  The home selections available in this area vary from modest bungalows shaded by large old trees and mature greenery to luxurious estates on generous acreage.  The tremendous growth in Altamonte Springs over recent decades has resulted in a diversity of newer construction that covers a wide spectrum of price ranges, settings, and architectural styles.