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The magnificent port of Miami – engineering new trends

Miami in the State of Florida is a reputed center and a leading city in commerce, media, finance, arts and entertainment besides international trade. In these sectors, the city has often been ranked seventh among all other States of America. Recently, it has been ranked thirty-third among international cities.

There is this University of Miami that is renowned for its academics and research studies. A number of students from entire America, Latin America, Mexico and Canada find their way to this reputed institution in pursuit of higher studies.

The port of Miami is highly regarded throughout the world for the smooth conduct of business in and around the region. Precious goods worth millions of dollars are traded and transported via this magnificent port. It’s equipped with latest equipments and procedures to handle almost all goods and also accommodates large vessels and cruise liners. A Miami port tunnel is also being planned upon to bypass excess traffic during peak season and to provide an undeviating vehicle entrée to interstate highway system. This will enable the Port users to cut down on the heavy traffic downtown Miami.

There has been the roll-out of a massive renovation plan for the port of Miami. This will pave the way for the construction of roadways, new advanced cruise terminals and also parking garages. Also, gantry crane docks and heavy container storage yards backed up by electrification of the same have been the hallmarks of the redevelopment program. Also, the port has acquired two advanced super panama gantry cranes. These are deemed to be among the largest available anywhere in the world having the enormous ability to load and unload at least twenty two mega container ships. The brand new restructured roadway system has been affixed with state-of –the –art lighting and landscaping. Also giving a boost to the security, the Security Gates have been opened to augment the processing speed for cargo trucks.

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Taking a historic view of Miami

The Miami region of Florida had been an area of occupancy for the Tequestas, a Native American tribe for around a thousand years. Later, the area came under the Spanish and this led to the construction of a Spanish mission there back in 1567. The Fort Dallas was built there in 1836 and the entire region was engulfed by the Second Seminole War. Located on the Miami River’s banks, Fort Dallas was an important military base. This fort rested in Union hands at the time of the American Civil War but was later abandoned.

Also known as the Florida Wars, the Seminole Wars were actually a series of clashes in Florida among Native American groups, all collectively referred to as Seminoles. Their allies as well as the US Army were also actively involved in these wars. The Second Seminole War lasted from 1835 to 1842.

Miami is supposedly the only foremost city in the USA that was envisaged by a woman named Julia Tuttle. She was a native citrus grower. In fact, the area of Miami was popularly called as “Biscayne Bay Country” during the early phase of its growth. The region had also been widely described as a promising wilderness. It was also illustrated as one among the best building sites in Florida. During the Great Freeze (1894-1895) the crops of Miami were the only ones that survived while all others collapsed. With Henry Flagler, an industrialist, Julia Tuttle managed to give official recognition to Miami as an urban centre in 1896. From a population of just over 300, the city of Miami began to prosper in the 1920s, witnessing a rise in population as well as infrastructure only to be weakened after the downfall of the land boom in Florida. The Miami Hurricane in 1926 and the 1930s Great Depression only added to its woes.

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A tourist’s destination – Miami!

With an area of only 92 square kilometres, Miami has one of the smallest areas among other major American metropolitan cities. The city is bordered by the Everglades and Biscayne National Parks on the west and east respectively. The average elevation of the landmass is about 6 feet with a maximum elevation of about 40 feet above the sea level. The highest undulations are seen in along the coastal area of the Miami Rock Ridge. The chief portion of Miami is situated on the shores of the Bay of Biscayne that contains numerous natural as well as artificially produced barrier islands. The largest among these barrier islands are the South Beach and the Miami Beach. The warm ocean current of the North Atlantic runs close to its coast and this is one of the reasons for the warm temperature prevailing in Miami all year round.

After the prosperity seen in the 1920s, Miami witnessed a progressive weakening in its development following the Miami Hurricane and the 1930s Great Depression. Soon the World War II made Miami an important base thanks to its suitable location. The German submarines could be counter-attacked from Miami’s location in the south coast of Florida. The war saw a rise in the number of population of Miami. The Latin American Wars fought against American imperialism, especially by the Cubans led by Fidel Castro, made them take refuge in Miami thus further adding to the population. In the 1980s and 1990s, several crises faced South Florida like the beating of Arthur McDuffie and the follow-up riots, drug wars, the Elian Gonzalez uproar and the Hurricane Andrew. Yet, in the 20th century latter half, the city of Miami rose as a major financial, cultural and international center. The entire metropolitan area in and around Miami grew from a handful of citizens to a record five and a half million people in just over a century.

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What makes Miami timeless – let’s find out!

The city has been also nicknamed as “The Magic City” because of such stupendous growth from all perspectives. Visitors visiting Miami after a few years gap find it astonishing to have seen such exemplary development of a city that was only born a few decades ago.

Miami is characterized by a typical tropical monsoon climate that is Am according to Koppen’s widely recognized world climate classification. This type of climate is illustrated by hot and humid summers and warm, short winter season that is comparatively drier. Other major factors influencing Miami’s climate are its position just over the Tropic of Cancer, its sea-level height, coastal location and also its proximity to the warm Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic Ocean. Rainfall is also low and temperatures scarcely come down below 2 degree centigrade. The maximum high would be in between 21 to 25 degrees.

The month of May marks the beginning of the wet season that ends only by the middle of October. Temperatures are comparatively higher during this phase and there is also a subsidence of high relative humidity. However, the heat is relieved mostly by thunderstorms or sea-breeze in the afternoon which develops near the Atlantic Ocean. The maximum rainfall of the year is witnessed during this particular period. There has never been an accumulation of snow in Miami and it was only in 1977 that it faced snow flurries. Otherwise, the weather is relatively moderate throughout the year and this brings in tourists almost incessantly the entire year. Having said that there is a note of caution tourists take during the months from June to November as this is the time for the subsidence of hurricanes. This is the official time for the hurricanes to show up! But the most likely time is at the onset of the Cape Verde season that occurs in mid-August and lasts through till the end of September every year.

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A nature’s sculpture – Miami

Biscayne National Park, Florida
Image by tchelseat via Flickr

Located in the Southern tip of the State of Florida, Miami is bordered by two National Parks – Biscayne on the east and Everglades on the west. The city was established by Julia Tuttle, an illustrious citrus grower. The city is hugely popular among tourists because of its varied tourist attractions. It comprises wildlife areas, picturesque tours of the historically important landmarks, nightlife, family activities and also the “Millionaire’s Row”. Both adults and children can equally enjoy the beautiful places in and around Miami that also includes large aquariums and zoos. The Everglades National Park is the largest among all subtropical wildernesses in the United States. It is also a sustaining habitat for rare as well endangered wildlife that includes the manatee. The Biscayne National Park has about 95% of its area covered with water. It contains islands, endangered wildlife, around 500 fish species and coral reefs. The park also has provision for outdoor activities that include hiking, canoeing and guided boat trips. There are also more than one thousand birds, more than 2000 plants and angiosperms and reptiles, alligators and other aquatic animals among wildlife species.

There are several performing arts theatres and museums for those having an eye for art. There is also the popular Miami Children’s Museum that presents interactive activities and games for kids. It includes a tall piggy bank, a sandcastle and also a health center. The Jewish Museum has a collection of family photos, artifacts and several immigration papers that were donations from the residents of Florida. There are also two nicely restored synagogues in the same museum. The Artime Theatre offers operas, symphonies dances as well as stage performances.

Miami exhibits a multicultural heritage that stems from its varied culture of the inhabitants since the past. They include the Seminole Indians, Latin American immigrants and also the Spanish explorers.

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Visiting Miami with a historic interest

The neighborhoods, streets, people and annual events held in Miami give tourists a glimpse of the blend of the multiple cultures that seem to have left their marks behind. From the Seminole Indians to the more recent Spanish explorers and Latin American Indians, you will get an insight to almost everything. The historic monuments and landmarks are pleasing to the eye and there are also the National Parks and museums to enjoy for tourists of all age-groups. The best thing about Miami is its climate. Driven by the Gulf Stream of the North Atlantic Ocean, the temperatures remain warm throughout the year. Rainfall is also moderate thanks to the tropical monsoon climate prevalent in the region.
There is this historic”Colored Town” of Overton named so because of the allowance to the African Americans to buy land in the beginning of the twentieth century. Miami’s Freedom Tower that was built in 1925, used to serve as the office of the Daily News as well as the Metropolis till the end of 1957. It used to function as a National Registrar of Historic Monuments and also was operated as an immigration station for refugees from Cuba from the years 1962 to 1974.
There is a lot of variety in the cuisine in Miami from Latin flavours to seafood and American cuisine. There are a number of nightclubs having live music shows and superb dining facilities. Dishes in the restaurants come with a blend of tastes borrowed from a variety of cultures. Nightlife is indeed fun for tourists coming to Miami. Certified Angus beef is available in Hereford Grill along with seafood dishes of Venezuelan style. Food is generally served on bamboo trays by waiters. Guests pass through the velvet rope at night to enter the rooms with glistening lights and beds.

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Fun in Miami – your way!

Miami thrills tourists to no ends and is rightly called a tourist’s heaven! Historic hotels and resorts along with campgrounds, RV parks allow you to let your hair down and soak in the wonderful environment provided. Accommodation facilities are superb and the tourist can avail from a variety of suitable options. The famous Miami River Inn is listed on the National Registrar and it is Miami’s only bed and breakfast. It has four cottages having 40 rooms in total and is a welcome place for families with children. The two National Parks in Miami also present overnight camping places.
Apart from the historic spots, Miami is well known for its trendy nightlife and beaches. All such facilities make it an ideal vacation spot. The Art Deco district, South Beach and Calle Ocho in Florida make more of a very pleasurable experience for the traveler seeking some real fun.

Luxurious vacation properties are found all over the area besides the world’s best music and rich nightlife. The scintillating atmosphere is there for you to revel upon and relax by forgetting all you troubles. The legendary hotels add spice to the pulsating nightlife and acts as a backdrop for epicurean cuisine and added all-round sophistication. South Beach is for the romance hungry couple and the beauty associated with this place is truly delectable. The dining spots are also very creatively designed making you feel out of this world. You can savor the beautiful sunset from the beautiful backdrop provided by the dozens of restaurants in Miami and the best clubs there. Live theatre, romantic get-together – all add to the wonderful atmosphere for you t bask in, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city life. The stay is certain to enrich your experiences about luxury and travel and you will only want to come again.

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Know Miami from within

It’s not just the outdoor events of Miami that draw the attention of the curious traveler but also the inherent arts and music culture of the place. What makes it even more interesting is the fact that the place had been the home for many different cultures and people from the Seminole Indians to the more recent Spanish and Latin American cultures. Music and arts, language and traditions were thus influenced in a large way by its short yet fascinating history. Miami is easily one of the favorite destination spots from among the countless ones in the United States. The city has been growing by leaps and bounds and the population is also in an ever-increasing phase. The beaches, the clubs, the wonderful climate and hype make it an ideal aim for the fun-loving tourists.

The Spanish population is larger than any other group but there is an even distribution of people of other origins too. The parks and museums are becoming an essential part for the city population and the fact that Miami is located in the crucial zone of the Gulf of Mexico makes it a port of immense importance for the United States. From cruise liners to heavy container ships, the port of Miami is well-equipped to handle everything, having at its disposal a number of advanced utilities from mighty cranes to huge dock yards. The traffic in this port is increasing and a number of other links and bypasses are being constructed to ease the hectic working schedule of the port. From the economic aspect too, Miami has been at the forefront of the United States trade balance. The area has managed to ease the pressure off the State of Florida by handling a variety of products from processed food to industrial equipment for Florida effectively.

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Fashion, food, music and fun – that’s Miami

Apart from the historic places on offer, Miami is respected widely for its emphasis on the simultaneous development of art and culture around the place. Many prominent museums are located in the Downtown area of Miami that include the Jewish Museum of Florida, Miami Art Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Bass Museum, Frost Art Museum, Lowe Art museum, Coral Gables Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, Miami Children Museum, Historical Museum of Florida, Miami Science Museum and Miami Cultural Center.

Miami also happens to be the chief fashion center among others and is home to some of the finest modeling agencies and models of the world. Miami hosts numerous fashion shows as well as important events that include the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and the yearly Miami Fashion Week too. The world’s largest exhibition of art, called as the “Olympics of Art” is organized in Miami annually every December. It draws in thousands of art lovers and visitors from across the world.

From a touch of historical traditions to modern day amenities, Miami provides all to the tired vacationers. The Cuban influence is visible in the city’s culture and being only about 110 years old since its recognition as an urban center, the city has been progressing rapidly on all fronts and has been a regularly large contributor to the economy of the United States. The flamboyant lifestyle of the residents along with the beautiful spots backed by mild climate makes for a wonderful trip to Miami. Also, there is the easy accessibility to the place that is an added advantage and the city has rightly cashed in on the opportunities provided since its inception in 1896 on the initiative by Julia Tuttle. The port of Miami has also manifested itself well with the modern times and is a source of income and job opportunities for the local people.

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A rainbow culture – that’s what helps Miami click!

Cuba has a major role in shaping the culture and spirit of the city of Miami. The year 1959 saw the rise of Fidel Castro and the decade that followed, saw a flood of immigrants from Cuba entering into Miami. Most of these immigrants settled in the Miami River side, now known as Little Havana. Another surge of Cuban immigrants was seen in 1980 as over 100,000 refugees flooded into this area. Thus, the Spanish speaking culture came in direct contact with the authentic culture of Cuba that came in directly from Cuba.

Large shipment of drugs scoured in and replenished the luxury aspect of Miami. The famous show of the 1980s – “Miami Vice” was born out of this. This culminated into the tropical paradise image of Miami that was to be. In 1992, another destructive hurricane – Hurricane Andrew struck the city but this time the multi-cultural strength of the region assisted in healing the wounds left behind and it only gave birth to a steely resolve to fight the misfortune and rebuild the place that has finally become one of the favourite hotspots among holiday destinations every year.

The prevalent culture in Miami is vibrant and dynamic and has been heavily influenced by the Latin ways. Immigrants from Cuba, Puerto Rico and Haiti, among others are generally found. According to the statistics of 2003, 58% residents of Miami were foreign born. It is not very uncommon to hear English being spoken on the streets of Miami. There is wide variation in the people’s background, traditions and cultural celebrations throughout Miami. There is also a comparative difference in wealth that is generally noticeable. While there are individuals living in well furnished flats and driving fancy cars around the streets of Miami, you will also come across people with moderate lifestyles having little income and living in the suburbs and sub-towns of Miami.

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