Miami, FL

Miami is a fast-paced, diverse city with a population of more than 360,000 (as of 2000). While the population is largely Hispanic (nearly 66 percent), there are also sizable African-American and non-Hispanic white populations. There is always something to do in Miami, whether it's relaxing on beautiful beaches, shopping downtown, or attending one of the city's many festivals or cultural events.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Miami has a population of about 410,000 residents, mostly urban. It is partitioned roughly into north, south, west and downtown.

• Allapattah is a working-class neighborhood with a diverse population. The majority of the homes are high-rises, condos and single-family dwellings. There are also several housing options specifically geared toward the elderly.
• Coconut Grove has a population of over 18,000 and is largely non-Hispanic white and African American. This neighborhood features luxury homes, high-rise buildings, waterfront properties, and is home to a number of high-class shopping centers and restaurants. This community also has a playhouse and a botanical garden.
• Coral Way transports residents back to the early 20th century with its Spanish Mission and Bungalow-style homes.
• Downtown is a modern city with several districts that host various events and attractions. More than 100,000 people work in its office towers.
• Flagami is located in the west of the city. The 4.9-acre community has a diverse population, and the area is primarily residential.
• Little Haiti brings a taste of Haitian culture to Miami, where about 34,000 residents live in Mediterranean-style homes.
• Little Havana has a population of more than 50,000 residents living in single-family homes, duplexes and apartments. This community celebrates Viernes Culturales monthly.
• Model City has a population of over 25,000 and is a diverse mix of residential homes, commercial businesses and education centers. The neighborhood is home to Edison Towers, a high-rise and a strip mall, intended to increase job opportunities in the community.
• Overtown has a population of over 9,000 and is historically mostly African American. Home to a number of historic churches, Overtown plans to construct more residential units.
• Upper East Side is located in the northeast section of Miami and has a population of nearly 16,000 residents. This community is home to people of all income levels, most living in Mediterranean-style homes and apartments.
• West Flagler is a mix of single-family homes, low-rise apartments and condos. Local attractions include the Miami-Dade County Auditorium, the Flagler Dog Track and the Sports Entertainment Center, each providing a range of entertainment activities for locals and visitors.
• Wynwood/Edgewater is a mix of housing units, including high-rises, lofts and single-family homes for all income levels. It has approximately 15,500 residents and is located near the downtown business district. Margaret Pace Park provides locals and visitors with beautiful Miami views and various festivals.
• The greater Miami area encompasses many distinctive towns within easy travel distance, including Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Key Biscayne.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Miami has multicultural atmosphere and a strong economy based on baking, tourism and other industries. The city is home to Burger King, Norwegian Cruise Line, Ryder and Wachovia.

The city is considered one of the financial centers of the country. Miami is the hub for commerce, finances and corporate headquarters and has one of the strongest international business communities.

A number of companies are headquartered in and around Miami such as, Alienware, Arquitectonica, Arrow Air, Bacardi, Benihana, Brightstar Corporation, Burger King, Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Corporation, Carnival Cruise Lines, CompUSA, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, Espírito Santo Financial Group, Greenberg Traurig, Interval International, Lennar and Norwegian Cruise Lines to name a few.

One of the main industries in Miami is tourism. The beaches, events and festivals attract millions of visitors each year from every corner of the world spending over $17 billion. The major employers in Miami are Publix, Baptist Health, University of Miami, American Airlines and Precision Response Corporation.

SHOPPING

Miami offers world-class shopping opportunities, from upscale clothing to bargain electronics. Some of the highlights:

• Downtown Miami: one of the largest jewelry districts in the country
• Bal Harbor Shops: upscale retailing in a lush outdoor mall
• Design District: cutting edge clothing in a former warehouse district
• Coconut Grove: a walkable neighborhood with eccentric boutiques and national chains

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Actor's Playhouse is located in Coral Gables in the historic Miracle Theatre and provides live stage entertainment year-round.
• Coconut Grove Playhouse is located in Coconut Grove and stages professional productions.
• Miami Children's Museum is housed in a 56,500-square-foot building and includes 14 galleries, classrooms, a resource center, and a gift shop. It also offers a 200-seat auditorium and a restaurant.
• Miami Seaquarium is the premier place to get close to sea wildlife, housing a variety of animals, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and manatees.
• Parrot Jungle protects more than 1,000 tropical birds, a variety of plants and flowers, and many other animals. All birds are free to fly and roam in the open air, and the facility features daily shows, education, and a gift shop.
• Vizcaya Museum and Gardens are a perfect place to relax and enjoy south Florida. This peaceful retreat hosts special events throughout the year.

EVENTS

• Deco Weekend celebrates art deco design.
• FedEx Orange Bowl pits the top two football teams in the United States head-to-head in a competition for the Orange Bowl title.
• Coconut Grove Arts Festival, held annually over Presidents' Day weekend, celebrates all forms of art.
• Miami Improv Comedy Festival is held at the Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit Planetarium. It's a showdown of the funniest comedy teams in America.
• South Beach Comedy Festival offers four days of laughter at the Jackie Gleason Theater.
• Miami International Film Festival is a star-studded event and features independent film at its finest.
• South Beach Wine and Food Festival shows off gourmet food and fine wines.
• Carnival Miami is a nine-day festival celebrating the city and its people with food, entertainment, and parades throughout the city.

SPORTS TEAMS

• The Florida Marlins are a Major League Baseball team; all home games are played at Dolphin Stadium.
• The Miami Dolphins were the American Football Conference 2008 champions and also won consecutive Super Bowl games in 1972 and 1973. They play all home games at Dolphin Stadium.
• The city's professional basketball team is the Miami Heat. All home games are played at the American Airlines Arena.
• The Miami Hurricanes, the basketball team at the University of Miami, play their home games at the BankUnited Center.