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Miami Lay of the Land Art Deco & Beyond Back in the Day Up and Coming Ethnic Enclaves Southern Hospitality Northern Exposure |
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Glorious weather has always been the main attraction, with average yearly temperatures in Miami averaging 76F. Sun-kissed days feature bluer than blue skies, dotted with surreal cotton candy clouds. Gentle breezes keep things cool throughout the day, while sultry temperatures heat up clear Moon Over Miami evenings.Geographically and culturally at the crossroads of Latin America, it is easy to see why Miami is an attractive destination for travelers from South America. The city is equally popular with Europeans, Canadians and domestic travelers, thanks to direct flights, great highways and a range of accommodations and attractions suited for all budgets and lifestyles. Located a few degrees above the Tropic of Cancer, Miami is comprised of a network of barrier islands, coral rock and mangrove swamps, connected by manmade additions of soaring bridges, stately causeways and panoramic roads. Miles and miles of white sand beaches hug the coastline, while the waters of the mighty Atlantic Ocean and tranquil Biscayne Bay gently envelop the city. To the south and west, Everglades National Park, the third largest in the U.S. National Park System is an unique 1.5 million acre eco-system of sawgrass prairies, mangrove swamps subtropical jungle and the warm waters of Florida Bay. Nearby, the primarily underwater Biscayne National Park is teeming with sea life and plants, and features living coral reefs as well as the longest stretch of mangrove forest left on Florida's east coast within its 173,000 acres. Back on dry land, a colorful array of exotic flowers and plants-- purple bougainvillea, yellow allamanda and pink hibiscus are everywhere, while avocados, mangos and bananas flower and fruit in backyards. Coconut palms, stately royal palms and sea grape trees are ubiquitous. The sense of being in the tropics pervades, as wild parrots alight on telephone lines and night-blooming jasmine's sweet scent fills the air after dark. With an unparalleled mix of ethnic and cultural groups spread throughout the sprawling city's environs, Miami offers visitors a new perspective on every corner; a melange of images, sounds and tastes that range from the familiar to the exotic. A live and let live philosophy prevails, an essential attitude in a large city with so many different points of view. Visitors instantly pick up on the local laid-back mood; and stress melts away upon arrival at Miami International Airport, a short drive to most major destinations, hotels and motels. A meandering collection of more than 30 municipalities spread out over 2,000 square miles, Greater Miami is home to more than two million people. More than half of its residents claim Spanish as their native language, while the lilting tones of Portuguese, French, Creole, Italian, Russian, Yiddish German, Italian, Dutch and Hebrew are also heard throughout the city -- in the homes, cafes and gathering spots of the dozens of Miami's distinctly different neighborhoods. Some areas, like South Beach's Art Deco District are internationally renowned, while other less-heralded burgs like South Miami and Hialeah are hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered by intrepid explorers. |
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