Miami, Florida
South Florida is warm, magical, and exciting! Founded in 1896, Miami is one of the youngest cities in the U.S. and it's one the biggest tourist destinations in the country. The area is home to a large Latino population; it's colorful, culturally diverse, and offers one of the best year round climates in the world. South Florida is best known for Miami and Miami Beach, but it should be noted that these are separate municipalities and are very distinct. Miami's modern downtown is known for its skyscrapers and elevated train lines, while Miami Beach is best known for its pastel colored Art Deco hotels and white sand beaches. However, there is far more to the area than just downtown Miami and Miami Beach—many other nearby neighborhoods are famous and are great places to visit—Little Havana, Coral Gables, and Coconut Grove, to name just a few. Also, just southwest of Miami lies the Florida Keys, the best scuba diving spot in the U.S.
| Population: | 399,457 |
|---|---|
| Geography: | 4,687.1/Km² (12,139.5 square miles). |
| Settled: | 1825 |
| Currency: | U.S. dollars |
| President: | Barack Obama |
| Languages: | English, Spanish. |
Getting Around
Miami’s elevated train system
When staying in Miami, everything is within a 10 to 15 minute taxi ride and walking the strip at South Beach is not to be missed! For visitors who want to explore downtown and the beach, all major car rental agencies are available at the Miami and Fort Lauderdale Airports. As well, the City of Miami provides public transportation to all parts of the city and the surrounding area, including downtown, hospitals, malls, universities and residential areas.
Eating Out
The freshest seafood in Miami — You’ll see food different
Restaurants in Miami range from super authentic Carribbean, Central American, and South American food to world famous seafood restaurants. The city’s vibrant restaurant scene is nothing short of an adventure—Miami is without a doubt one of the best cities for dining out.
Shopping
Shop, relax, shop, do a little boating…
Most of Miami's shopping happens at the various megamalls scattered from one end of the county to the other. However, there is also some excellent boutique shopping in Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, and South Beach.
Nightlife
South Beach rocks!
Miami's nightlife is as hot as ever—and still getting hotter. Despite the air of exclusivity that some places try to portray, anyone can go clubbing in the Magic City! South Beach is by far Miami's uncontested nucleus for nightlife, but other areas such as the Design District, South Miami, and even Little Havana have great places too. Note, things in Miami don't generally get started until after 11pm. While South Beach dances to a more electronic beat, other parts of Miami are full on Latino offering lots of salsa and merengue.
