Sun drenched Miami, often called the capital of South America, with its strong Latin influences has become the gateway to the Americas. Miami is known worldwide for its famous white sand beaches, all-night party atmosphere and large financial center. Miami, a city that brings business people, jetsetters and travelers alike to Florida’s premiere place in the sun. Miami is a popular vacation destination that offers an irresistible mix of culture and big business. Miami is located on the southeastern coast of the Florida peninsula, with a city population of just under half a million people; Miami is the largest city in the Metropolitan area of Miami. Like any large metropolitan area it is often hard to determine where the city begins and ends, geographical boundaries help to define the city, to the west of the city of Miami lies the Everglades National Park and to the east Biscayne National Park and the Atlantic Ocean.
Miami City is made up of several famous neighborhoods that blend in seamlessly into smaller cities that make up the Miami Metro area, home to over 5 million people. To the south, the neighborhood of Coconut grove melts into the city of Coral Gables. The western portion of the city is home to Little Havana and the large Cuban population. Liberty City, not a city in its self, is actually a neighborhood on the north side and home to a large percentage of the cities African American population. Neighborhoods of Little Haiti and Overtown will find Miami’s Caribbean influence. Biscayne Bay to the east is home to the cities financial district as well as cultural and tourist attractions, modern high rise towers and some of the cities more affluent neighborhoods can be found along Biscayne Bay and the islands of Virginia Key, Brickell and Watson Island. Across Biscayne Bay is Miami Beach a whole separate city from Miami with world renowned beaches, South Beach and the city’s Art Deco Historic District neighborhoods.
Being a Gateway city to the Americas has made Miami one of the largest and most vital cities in the Americas. Miami is one of the country’s most important financial centers, thus making the city home to the largest concentration of international banks in the United States. Miami International Airport, with over 35 million passengers passing through its terminals has become one of the busiest international airports in the world, a major hub linking Latin America with the rest of the world. One of the largest ports in the United States is Port of Miami, home to the world’s biggest cruise ship port, as well as one of the country’s leading cargo facilities.
Miami and the metro area has a tropical climate very similar to that of the Caribbean region, with two distinct seasons , hot, humid and rain during the summer season and warm , drier days during the winter months, the Miami area will see annual rainfall of around 60 inches with the majority occurring during the summer months. Miami, with the Atlantic Ocean and warm waters of the Caribbean on its doorstep is affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricane season running from June to mid October has brought Miami its share of storms, yet the warm waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean have also given the city its warm climate with tropical breezes. Winter months temperatures will range from lows in the 60’s to highs in the 70’s as summer will bring temperatures from the low 70’s to high 80’s and low 90’s with afternoon thunderstorms bringing relief to the high temperatures and making the evenings enjoyable.
Miami has become a major stopping point as well as a destination, whether you are heading to South America or flying north from Latin America Miami will probably be in your travel plans.
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