Coral Gables, FL

Coral Gables is located in Miami-Dade County. With a population of nearly 43,000, this city is composed mainly of married couples and families. Coral Gables has one of the highest percentages of Cuban residents in the United States, and over 50 percent of the population speaks Spanish as a first language. In an effort to promote cultural exchange and understanding, Coral Gables has six international Sister Cities, including Aix-en-Provence, France; Cartagena, Colombia; Granada, Spain; La Antigua, Guatemala; Province of Pisa, Italy and Quito, Ecuador.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Major industries in Coral Gables are educational and social services, finance, insurance, and real estate. The city's major employers are a diverse collection of educational, hospitality, health care, and professional organizations. Since the city was first incorporated in 1925, the largest employer has been the University of Miami. The unemployment rate in the city is 5.9 percent.

Health care is another important industry, due to the presence of Coral Gables' medical centers:

• Coral Gables Hospital has been in operation since 1927. This hospital offers Urology, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, and Emergency Services. Coral Gables Hospital has won numerous awards, including a Silver Performance Award in 2008 from Get with the Guidelines, CIGNA Quality Designations in 2008, and CIGNA Centers of Excellence in 2006.
• Health South Doctors Hospital is a faith-based hospital that offers outpatient diagnostic services. This hospital has been rated in the top ten for working mothers.

FAMILY FUN

• Matheson Hammock Park offers visitors a nature trail, a manmade natural island pool, and a unique restaurant built into the side of a coral rock.
• War Memorial Youth Center provides youths with a place to play, learn, and socialize. This facility offers camps, dances, sports, and a fitness center.
• Coral Gables City Parks offer residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. Featuring a range of facilities, including picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis courts, walking paths, and basketball courts, these parks include Coral Bay Park, Jaycee Park, Pierce Park, Sunrise Harbor Park, Salvador Park, and Phillips Park.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Actors' Playhouse at the MiracleTheater is one of eight of Florida's professional regional theaters. Performances are conducted throughout the year including five children's productions.
• Gable Stage has been conducting performances since the late 1970s. This theater has won numerous Carbonell Awards and holds special events commemorating past actors and historical figures.
• Miami Children'sTheater offers professional performances throughout the year and a comprehensive training program for youth ages 3-19 years.
• Jerry Herman Ring Theatre is located on the University of Miami campus. Performances are conducted throughout the year and this theater offers a youth acting academy during the summer.
• Casa Bacardi celebrates Cuban and Cuban-American studies. This museum features a music and product pavilion, an information center, a cinema, a conference room, and various exhibits.
• Lowe Art Museum is operated by the University of Miami. This museum features national and international works from the Greco-Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, and 17th-19th century Modern art.
• Coral Gables Museum features a 3,000 square foot gallery and 5,000 square feet of public space for city archives, exhibits, meetings, and special events.

FOR VISITORS

• Hybrid Electric Trolley is a free electric trolley that takes visitors to numerous hot spots in town.
• Venetian Pool is a public pool that was created from an old coral rock quarry in 1921. This pool features a bridge, a waterfall, an island, a grotto, and a high-dive platform. In addition, a walking path runs the perimeter of the property.
• Biltmore Hotel was opened in 1926 and served as a hospital during World War II. Now a luxury hotel, the Biltmore offers a spa, golf, a pool with cabanas, tennis courts, a fitness center, and shopping.
• Coral Way Scenic Drive is a 2-4 lane road through Coral Gables featuring old fichus and banyan trees. The section that runs through Downtown is filled with European-style cafes, more than 120 international restaurants, and specialty stores.
• John C. Gifford Arboretumand Botanical Garden is located on the University of Miami campus. This garden is run by the biology department of the university and offers annual events.
• Montgomery Botanical Center features palms, cycads, dicots, monocots, and gymnosperms on 120 acres of land. The center also offers lectures, publications, and tours to the public.
• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Established in 1938, these gardens sit on 83 acres of land filled with tropical plants, trees, and vines.

EVENTS

• Miami Jewish Film Festival has been held every year for the past 12 years. This festival offers a variety of films shown at the University of Miami's Cosford Cinema.
• Annual International Chocolate festival features a chocolate spa. Visitors can also learn how chocolate is made and taste a limited supply of samples. This event is held at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
• Gala in the Garden is a fundraising event featuring cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, and dancing. Tickets and reservations are required.

SHOPPING

• Village of Merrick Park. This open-air luxury shopping area features over 100 shops and restaurants. Shoppers will enjoy beautifully landscaped gardens as they stroll through this shopping plaza.
• Miracle Mile runs through the central business district in Downtown Coral Gables. Miracle Mile offers a high-end shopping experience with over 100 retailers. Visitors can also dine at one of over 70 restaurants and eateries located in this area. With cuisine ranging from American Faire to Japanese, and Mediterranean to Thai, there is something for everyone.

EDUCATION

• University of Miami has been ranked 51st out of 254 by US News and World Report in 2008, making it one of the top universities in the nation. The University of Miami employs over 2,000 full-time faculty members and offers degrees up to doctoral level in various fields. This university is also has a Division I football team with five national championships since 1983.

LOCAL MEDIA

Coral Gables is served by these local publications:

• The Coral Gables Gazette
• The Coral Gables News Tribune
• The Miami Hurricane