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Miami

Miami Florida, a major city in Southeastern Florida is the largest city in the South Florida metropolitan area, which includes 3 neighboring counties, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County. Miami is currently undergoing a major building boom with over 80 high rise towers under construction and worldwide, Miami currently ranks second for the most buildings under construction that will be over 500 feet tall.

Miami was incorporated in July 1896. There were only 300 or so voters. By 1940 the population had grown to 172,172. Census Bureau estimates for Miami proper and the surrounding counties making up the larger metropolitan area was 5.4 million.

Miami's population growth is described as explosive and has been driven by internal migration other areas of the country and immigration. Latin American and Caribbean islanders heavily influence greater Miami's culture. Many of these residents speak either Spanish or Haitian Creole.

Miami is regarded as a world city. With cultural ties to all of the Americas and especially the Latin Americas, Miami is an important city in the Hispanic world. Many other foreign countries maintain consulates in Miami.

Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami are among the nation's busiest ports of entry. Additionally downtown Miami has the largest concentration of international banks in the country.

Tourism is also an important industry. The beaches of Greater Miami are beautiful and draw visitors from all around the nation and around the world. The Art Deco nightclub district in South Beach is regarded as glamorous. Visitors are also drawn to the climate.

During the cold winter months many retirees leave the frosty and snowbound regions and move into apartments or condos to spend the winter basking the 70 to 80 degree average temperatures. Most of the year is warm and humid and summers are almost identical to the climate in the Caribbean tropics. There is only one recorded day with a temperature in triple digits. July 21, 192 had a record temperature of 100 degrees. High summer humidity often boosts the heat index to about 110 degrees. On January 20, 1977 Miami experienced the only recorded snowfall.

Miami's location between two bodies of water makes Miami statistically the most likely major city in the world to be hit by hurricanes. Miami has suffered much from Hurricanes Cleo (1964), Betsy (1965), Andrew (1992) Irene (1999) and Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2205. But the citizens of Miami will not be defeated by wind and rain; they clean up and rebuild.

The cultural base of Miami is rapidly shifting. Non-Hispanic whites make up only 11.8 % of the city's population with 40.9% Hispanic. 66% of Miami's populations speaks Spanish, 25.5% English and 5% French. Although English, Spanish and French Creole are the official languages, other languages that are spoken throughout the city include Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian and Russian. While Miami is regarded as a city of mainly Hispanic and Caribbean immigrants, the area is home to of the largest Israeli and Russian communities.

In addition to being home to major organized professional sports teams in Football, Basketball, Hockey and Baseball Miami is also home to Paso Fino horses where competitions are held at Tropical Park Equestrian Center.

Miami Dade Public Schools is the largest school district in Florida and the fourth largest in the United Sates with a student enrollment of 414,128. 52% of students are Hispanic, 25% African American and 6% non-white of other minorities. This is one of the few public school districts offering optimal bilingual education. Florida International University and Miami Dade College are both public secondary schools in the city and University of Miami, Florida Memorial University, Johnson and Wales University are private Universities. Barry University and St Thomas University are both Private Catholic institutions.

Miami International Airport is one of the busiest international airports in the world. They cater to over 35 million passengers a year. It is recognized as the single largest gateway for American Airlines. Miami is the third largest international port of entry for foreign air passengers third only to New York's JFK International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, It is the seventh largest such gateway in the world featuring non stop flights to over seventy international cities in North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Miami is home to the Port of Miami, the largest cruise ship port in the world having served 3,605,201 passengers in 2005. It is also one of the nation's busiest cargo ports; the port covers 518 acres and has 7 passenger terminals. The top port imports are alcoholic beverages, concrete, bricks, tile, cement, clay, and stone. Most common exports are cargo, paper newsprints towels and textiles. The most imports come from China and the most exports go to Honduras. Eight cruise lines sail form the port of Miami: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Windjammer Barefoot Cruises.

Local Public transportation operated by Miami-Dade Transit includes Metrobus, Metro Mover, and Metrorail. Metrorail is an elevated rapid transit system. There is also Tri rail, a suburban rail system that connects the major cities and airports of the South Florida metropolitan area. The Metrobus system is for those seeking destinations not served by main transit lines. There are several projects to expand the systems by funding from sales tax surcharge and a new light rail system is proposed to connect Downtown Miami with Miami Beach.

The final station for Amtrak's Atlantic Coast services is located in the Miami suburb of Hialeah, Florida. Miami Dade County is served by four Interstate Highways ( I-75, I-95, I-195, I-395) and several US Highways including U.S. Routes 1,27,41, and 441. For the second year in a row Miami has been named as having the rudest people in the United States.

Miami has a significant place in pop culture. Many television shows have been based in Miami. Nip/Tuck; CSI: Miami are currently filmed there. The Jackie Gleason show, Good Morning, Miami, The Golden Girls, and Surfside 6 were all based there but none did more for changing Miami's image to "cool" than Miami Vice. The popular Animal Planet reality show Miami Animal Police is also taped from there.

There are many production studios in town filming Latin television and movies. In Hialeah and Doral there are many television programs filmed in Spanish. The most famous of these, S`bado Gigante, is a Saturday night variety show and seen through the U.S., South America, and Europe, Miami has been the backdrop for several movies as well. From lighthearted fare such as Ace Ventura, Pet Detective to the scorching drama, Scarface.

The music scene is strongly influenced by the Latin American immigrants who brought dances such as the rumba from their homeland. These dances are very popular in American culture.

The Latin American disco group, Foxy, KC and the Sunshine Bad and Miami area natives George McCrae and Teri De Sario rose to popularity in the 1970 disco era. In the 1980's Gloria Estefan hit pop music with the Cuban oriented hits "Conga" and "Bad Boys". Most recently hip-hop made a big splash with artist including 2Live Crew, J. T. Money, Trick Daddy, Trina, and the late DJ Uncle Al. Will Smith based the song "Miami" in his "Big Willie Style" album The Latin star Shakira was given the key to the city in 2006.

One of the most endearing attractions the Miami area is the Seaquarium. If Dolphins excite you then this is the place! Dolphins walking on water, sea lions, endangered sea turtles make this a world class marine life entertainment center. There are eight different marine animal shows and a wonderful summer camp program allowing children to have educational activities and hands on interaction with Dolphins.

What may not be so well known about the Seaquarium is that the beautiful facilities and ample field space offer an exciting alternative venue to host convention group receptions, company picnics, and team building affairs.

The Seaquarium sits on a 38 acre tropical paradise with spectacular views overlooking Biscayne Bay and offers a wonderful Swim With Dolphins adventure. Participants have a unique opportunity to take part in this exciting program, which is designed to teach about the physiology, behavior and natural history of dolphins in an experience not available through printed pages.

Guests do not only see but also may touch and learn what the dolphin is all about. You are invited to join the Training staff for an exciting two hour program that offers an insightful glance at dolphin behavior. Uncover interesting facts about these extraordinary animals then slip into a wetsuit and follow trainers into the water for a one on one interaction with a dolphin.

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Hialeah Florida

Hialeah, Fl, the "City of Progress" is located upon a larger prairie between Biscayne Bay and the Everglades. The name Hialeah is translated as "pretty prairie" or "Upland Parries". The Seminole interpretation of its name, "High Prairie" the area is home to the Seminole Indian tribe. The area was discovered by Missouri cattleman James Bright and Glenn Curtiss who was a pioneer aviator.

The culture of today's Seminole Tribe of Florida can be traced back at least 12,000 years. In the early day of its existence, the US government carried out a policy of displacement and extermination against the American Indians in the east US systematically removing them from the path of "white "settlement. Two legendary leaders Osceola and Abaca. Osceola masterminded successful battles against five baffled general. Murdered the US Indian agent, took punitive action against any who cooperated with the white man and stood as a national manifestation of the Seminole's strong reputation for non surrender... though his exploits were not so well published Seminole medicine man Abiaka may have been more important to the internal Seminole war machine. He was a powerful spiritual leader who used his medicine to stir warriors into frenzy. For all of the resistance the Seminoles began the 20th centaury where they had been left at the conclusion of the Seminole Wars, in abject poverty and hiding out in remote camps in the wet wilderness areas of South Florida. The tribe has matured both politically and financially and the challenge of maintaining the unique Seminole culture while operating in the mainstream economy is the priority for them today. Until 1821 Florida was under the control of the government of Spain.

Entertainment was plentiful in Hialeah during the decade known as the "Roaring 20's" The Spanish sport of jai-alai and greyhound racing drew visitors from far and near. Even the 1926 hurricane that nearly destroyed the city those who believed in the future of Hialeah could not be deterred.

Hialeah Park racetrack opened in 1925 and is one of the oldest existing recreational facilities in southern Florida. Racing drew spectators and competing stables from all around. When the facility was severely damaged by a hurricane in 1926. Philadelphia horseman Joseph Widener and Kentucky horseman Col Edward Bradley hired architect Lester Deisler to design a complete new grandstand and a clubhouse in the Renaissance Revival style. Beautiful landscaped gardens with native plants and a lake in the infield stocked with flamingos. When is opened again in 1932 it was considered one of the most beautiful in the world and became so famous for the flamingos that is has been officially designate d a sanctuary for them by the Audubon society. The track is gone but the flamingoes remain in this park which was once considered one of the world's most beautiful racetracks.

The flamingo Stakes race was an important stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby for 3 year old horses. The well known cult classic horse racing movie "Let it Ride" with Richard Dreyfuss, Terri Garr, JenniferTilly had most of its principal outdoor scenes at Hialeah Park.

The Hialeah Park Racetrack was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and was determined to be eligible as a National Historic Landmark. The park closed to the public in 2001 but the facilities remain intact except for the stables. Since the closing citizens to Save Hialeah Park Race Track have worked to preserve it. They offer this quote " the Park was once the most beautiful rack track in the world, it marks the beginnings of the city of Hialeah and its founders, features a unique central park area, and is a symbolic resting place for the horses that raced there and the millions of people who once cheered from the clubhouse and grandstand. Hialeah Park is the city's most evident and only historical link with the rest of the nation. It deserves nothing less than to be completely restored and preserved" What the fans will miss the most is the ritual after the seventh race, the flight of the flamingos. The quality of racing in general in the area was adversely affected when Hialeah did not open up the backside to accommodate 1,000 to 1,300 horses from all around the country who were normally stabled there. This reduced the number of horses coming into the area to race.

From a population of 1500 in 1925 Hialeah has grown at a rate faster than most of the ten largest cities in Florida. Predominantly Hispanic, Hialeah resident s has assimilated their cultural heritage and traditions into a hard working diverse community. Citizens are proud of their ethnic background and strive to keep neighborhoods family oriented.

Nearly 92% of the populations are Spanish speakers The city was once proposed to be a playground for the rich but in 1959 Cuban exiles flooded in a finished building this working class community. Several waves of Cuban exiles streamed in after Castor's takeover in Cuba in 1959. There were even more in the Freedom Flights, the boat lifts and the desperate boat people who in the late 1990's set out in any possible conveyance to try to reach our shores. They have created a very successful economy and industry that has seen continued growth.

The city's first slogan was "All Ways Lead to Hialeah". From the beginning Glenn Curtiss and James Bright knew of the potential of the area but could not have imagined how important Hialeah's location would be for transportation. Hialeah has access to every major means of transportation. The I-75 and the Palmetto Pwky direct economical access to the Opa Locka and Miami International Airports. There is Amtrak, Tri Rail and Metro Road station conveniently located with the city.

The Miami-Dade Public School System serves the city with 3 high schools, 4 middle schools, and 17 elementary schools. The Dade Christian School (Baptist) is the largest private school in the area and is a ministry of new Testament Baptist church.

Monsignor Edward Pace Hitch School, St John the Apostle School and Immaculate Conception School serve the primacy and secondary private school students.

Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus opened in 1980. In addition to academics there are many cultural and community events sponsored by the college.

The larges Santero Community outside of Cuba is in Hialeah, the Santeria World Headquarters. In a lawsuit between the Church of lukumi Babalu Aye v. city of Hialeah, the Santeria practice of animal sacrifice was ruled unconstitutional.

Telemoundo is the second largest Spanish language network. It is headquartered in Hialeah. There are several studios working taping programming, talk shows, news programs and telenovelas.

Hialeah is the densest city in the United State without a skyscraper. The city's tallest building is 14 floors and is only considered a mid rise.

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy Major League Baseball. The Florida marlins and Minor League Baseball, the Jupiter hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals play and hour and a half north in Jupiter, Florida. The hammerheads are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the Florida Marlins, and the cardinals are a Class A Advanced affiliate of the St Louis Cardinals.

The National basketball League Miamian Heat, The National football League Miami Dolphins and the national Hockey League Florida Panthers are all within a small driving distance of Hialeah. The United soccer League is represented by the First Division Miami FC and fans of college football will enjoy the fact that nearby Miami is the home of the Orange Bowl

Hialeah restaurants and bars are a mix of traditional Cuban and international fusion food. Asturias features a unique menu that combines traditional Spanish menu items like tapas which are small plates of different appetizers that are eaten as a meal, with an American influence. Cantina Okeechobee is known for their delicious margaritas and fajitas. At Caf?aul on Palm Avenue the Cuban coffee, sandwiches and pastries are extremely popular amount the locals.

Shopping centers and malls abound in and around Hialeah. Westland Mall, just off the Palmetto Expressway, is a popular shopping destination. Anchored by Macy's JCPenny and Sears, Westland Mall features nearly 100 stores. There are also cafes and restaurants like Crepe's Land and Havana Madrid Restaurant, Just up the street from Westland Mall is the Miracle Mille Shopping Center, whose stores include Ross, TJ Maxx and Lane Bryant. Across the street there is Burlington coat Factory and Marshall's. Other nearby shopping malls includes mall of the Americas, Dolphin mall and Miami International Mall.

On the southeastern section of Hialeah is the historic district called Deer park. This tiny section of Hialeah is unique because its street names were probably borrowed from the natives who lived in the area. Per-na-na and To-to-loche are but a few of the interesting names.

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