Miami Florida

Known alternately as the "Sun and Fun Capitol of the World" or "America's Riviera", Miami, Florida is famed for its beautiful rolling white sand beaches, and it's amazing variety of activities. Whether you like the sunshine or the nightlife, Miami has plenty to offer. Home to over 300,000 people, Miami enjoys a wonderful climate - the average high is only 82 degrees! The famed sunshine is offset by cool Atlantic breezes, which make a stroll along the beach as near perfection as one can imagine. 

Miami History

The name Miami comes from a Native American word meaning, "sweet water." The area itself has huge concentrations of fresh water. The Miami River is a veritable funnel that channels water from the Everglades into the Atlantic Ocean. Native Americans inhabited the Miami region for about 10,000 years prior to the discovery of the land by Europeans. The inhabitants of most note were the Tequesta people, who had a huge kingdom covering most of southern Florida. Ponce de Leon liked the area so much that he and his men attempted to settle it in the 1500's. They could not, however, effectively defend themselves against native resistance. The area remained largely unsettled until the early 1800's.

In 1857 the Native Americans were finally defeated. It took some time, however, for settlement of the area to really take hold. In 1891 a woman named Julia Tuttle bought a magnificent citrus plantation in the Miami area. Because she needed transportation for her produce and workers to help her grow it, Tuttle began pressuring railroad magnate Henry Flagler to build a line connecting Miami to Jacksonville. Flagler initially ignored Tuttle's request, but in 1894 a drastic freeze entirely destroyed the citrus crop in northern Florida. Southern Florida was unaffected, leaving Tuttle's citrus the only fruit on the market. Flagler immediately reconsidered, and traveled to the Miami area. He immediately recognized that the area was ready to expand. Just two years later, on July 28, 1896 the City of Miami was incorporated. The population was only 344.

Miami's expansion up to World War II was astronomical. By 1900 the population had shot up to over 4,000 citizens. By 1940, the population was over 200,000. This expansion was partially due to the relaxed attitudes of the authorities towards 1920's Prohibition. Gambling was also allowed. This coupled with the climate caused many northerners to migrate to Miami. The mass migration caused a construction boom, which solidified the economy and created jobs. Unfortunately, a massive hurricane in 1927 followed by the Great Depression caused this boom to end. 

After World War II, Miami itself was transformed by its island neighbor, Cuba. In the 1950's many gangsters moved into the area due to its close proximity to Havana. When Batisita was in charge of Cuba, it was a veritable paradise for mobsters. In 1959, however, Fidel Castro unseated Batista, and Cuban refugees began pouring into Florida. In 1965 alone, over 100,000 Cubans entered the United States - many settled in Miami. Little Havana emerged in downtown Miami, allowing new immigrants to conduct business in their native language: Spanish. In the late 1980's Cuban immigration slowed down. Immigrants began arriving from Haiti seeking political asylum and better lives. This immigrant culture has made Miami a hot spot for visitors from South and Latin American countries. Miami is respected as a diverse and multicultural city due largely to their influence.

Major Attractions

Beaches
Miami is world famous for the beauty and quality of its many beaches. Literally miles of shoreline provide the traveler with the opportunity for much sandy diversity. Palm trees shade Bal Harbor beach, which has a jogging path that extends across its one-mile length. If you like historic lighthouses, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Recreation Area on Key Biscayne has a lovely beach on its southern tip - featuring (you guessed it) a wonderful lighthouse. This beach also has walking and bike trail. Crandon Park features a three-mile long lagoon style beach. This beach is guarded by thirteen lifeguards, and you can rent special beach wheel chairs for easy access. If you like boating of kayaking, try the Oleta State Recreation area. It's shady, and borders the Snake River. You can watch cruise ships heading out to sea at South Pointe Park, or if you have a canine friend, try the ultra secluded Virginia Key Beach-South. Don't forget to check out the easily accessible and incredibly beautiful Miami Beach - where you'll get a true taste of genuine Miami Beach life.

Deering Estate
Whether you're interested in ancient archeology or modern architecture, there's something to interest you at Deering Estate. This 440-acre estate features buildings that date from 1896, archeological sites that date human presence from 10,000 years ago (animals dating from 100,000 years ago), a Native American burial mound from around 1600, a bird rookery, canoe tours, salt marshes, mangroves, an endangered pine rockland habitat, and a Mediterranean Revival mansion built in 1922. Try saying that all in one breath, or seeing it all in one day. Tours are available of this wonderful historic property. You'll be amazed by Deering Estate's wonderful natural beauty, and its incredible history.

Everglades Safari Park
If you ever wanted to safely get up close and personal with an alligator, here's your opportunity. Everglades Safari Park features The Alligator Show, which is an educational tour that allows viewers to become familiar with features of American Alligators as well as other animals. You can also go to the Alligator Farm, which holds over 400 'gators. The Everglades Safari Park offers you several ways to see the beauty of the Florida Everglades - including the famed Airboat Rides. Tour operators of these rides are very knowledgeable about the area's flora and fauna, and visitors leave feeling enhanced by this education. You can also hike along the Jungle Trail to get a landlocked version of the Everglades.

Sports Teams

Miami Dolphins
Sporting aqua green and orange, the Miami Dolphins have long been one of the most popular football teams in the United States. With stars like former quarterback Dan Marino (who took the team to two Super Bowls) this popularity is hardly shocking. The team has been to five Super Bowls total, and has won two. They make their home at Pro Player Stadium in Miami. 

Miami Heat
The Miami Heat shoots their hoops at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Founded as an NBA expansion team in 1988, the team wears uniforms featuring black, red, flame orange, and yellow. Current stars like Caron Butler give fans wonderful entertainment at every game. Much is expected from this little team in the sun!

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