History
Truly a city of the world, Miami has proven itself to be a leader in commerce, finance and international trade. Known as The Gateway to the Americas, Miami is an international hub and an important leader in entertainment, education, media, music, fashion, film, culture, print media and the performing arts. In 2008, Forbes Magazine ranked Miami as "America's Cleanest City" for its year-round good air quality, vast green spaces, clean drinking water, clean streets and city-wide recycling programs. In 2009 the global financial services firm UBS conducted a study of 73 world cities that ranked Miami as the richest city in the United States and the world's fifth-richest city.
The area today known as Miami was initially populated for more than a thousand years by a native tribe known as the Tequestas. The area was later claimed for Spain in 1566 by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. Just under 300 years later in 1836, Fort Dallas was built, and the Miami area became the site of the Second Seminole War.
A particularly important distinction Miami holds: It is the only major city in the United States conceived by a woman -- Julia Tuttle, a local citrus grower and a wealthy Cleveland native. The Miami area was better known as "Biscayne Bay Country" in the early years of its growth. The Great Freeze of 1894–95 hastened Miami's growth, as the crops of the Miami area were the only ones in Florida that survived. Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler, a railroad tycoon, to expand his Florida East Coast line to the region. It was at her suggestion that Miami was officially incorporated as a city in July 1896, and she became known as “The Mother of Miami.”
Miami is often referred to as “The Magic City.” Why? In just 110 years its population increased from 300 to 5.5 million!
Why you should go
The list of reasons to visit Miami is endless. From the fashion, architecture and nightlife in South Beach, to miles of sun-kissed beaches, shimmering azure seas and cool ocean breezes, Miami is a constant draw for visitors year round. South Beach is the perfect place to celebrity spot, boasting a regular stream of music stars filming their latest videos and models posing for fashion magazines. The beach at South Pointe Park is perfect for a quiet family atmosphere where a stroll or a bike ride can be enjoyed along Sunshine Pier.
Main attractions
* South Beach: South Beach encompasses the southernmost 23 blocks of the main barrier island that separates the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. This area was the first section of Miami Beach to be developed, just after the turn of the 20th century. South Beach has gone through numerous artificial and natural changes over the years, including a booming regional economy, increased tourism and a 1926 hurricane, which destroyed much of the area. The 1930s, however, saw a renaissance and brought architectural styles to South Beach that have become synonymous with the culture and remains largely intact today: Art Deco, Streamline Moderne and Nautical Moderne. www.visitsouthbeachonline.com
* Vizcaya: A National Historic Landmark, Vizcaya is open to the public year round, and tourists are invited to visit this serene retreat in the heart of busy Miami. Built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens features a Main House, 10 acres of formal gardens, and a native forest. www.miamidade.gov/vizcaya
* The Everglades: One of the largest wetlands in the world, the Everglades was once part of a 5 million acre watershed that covered a large portion of the state. The Everglades consist of a shallow sheet of fresh water that rolls slowly over the lowlands through an endless sea of sawgrass. As water moves through the Everglades, it causes the sawgrass to ripple like green waves; this is why the region received the nickname "River of Grass." http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
How to get there
Travel time by air from Atlanta to Miami Dade is about two hours. By car, the trip from Atlanta to Miami is largely spent on I-75 South and the Florida Turnpike. Travel Time is estimated to be about 10 hours spanning 660 miles.
Links of interest
* Chamber of Commerce: www.miamichamber.com
* Tourist Board: www.gmbva.com
* Hotel/Motel Association: www.gmbha.org
* Restaurant Information: www.miami.diningguide.com
