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Miami, : The Magic City—

by Phyllis McIntosh—

With its subtropical climate and intimate ties to Latin Amer- ica, is like no other city in the . More than 65 percent of its population is , and Spanish is the most com- monly heard . Situated at the southern tip of the 500-mile-long Florida peninsula, Miami is the largest in the southeastern United States and one of the youngest cities in the country. Carved from a swampland just over 100 years ago, it has been dubbed the Magic City for its seemingly overnight growth into an international tourist mecca. But the Miami of today offers far more than sun and fun. Truly the “Gateway of the Americas,” the city is at once a metropolis of remarkable cultural diversity, a bustling hub of international commerce and finance, and a of entry for peoples from the and seeking a life in the United States.

E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m | N u m b e r 3 2008 35 through the rests with a persistent widow named Julia Centuries— Tuttle and a wealthy developer, . A major property owner in what The area that is now Miami was is now Miami, Tuttle tried unsuccessfully occupied as long as 10,000 years ago by in the late 1800s to persuade Flagler, who the Indians. When the Span- was building resorts in the northern part ish arrived in the 1500s, they heard the of the state, to extend his railroad farther Tequesta refer to local rivers and lakes as south. In 1895, when a record freeze Mayaimi, which historians think meant wiped out citrus crops in most of Florida “fresh water, “clear water,” or “big water.” and sent tourists scurrying, Tuttle is said Although the Tequesta soon succumbed to have sent Flagler a box of fresh orange to disease and violence at the hands of the blossoms as proof of ’s supe- Spanish, their legacy survives in the name rior climate. Convinced at last, Flagler of the and in the ancient built the long-sought railroad, and in July artifacts still being uncovered during the 1896, the city of Miami was officially construction of modern skyscrapers. incorporated. Some residents wanted to call their new city Flagler, but the rail- road magnate himself insisted on Miami, a modern version of the name that had been associated with the area for perhaps thousands of years.

Boom Times— Flagler immediately set about laying out streets, providing city services, and building lavish that turned Miami almost overnight into a winter resort for the rich and famous. The real estate boom continued into the early part of the 20th century, thanks to marketing campaigns in the North and completion of the between Miami and , which made the new vacation destination accessible by car and drew middle class vacationers to Miami. Except for a brief period of British Devastated by a hurricane in 1926, Located between two warm rule following the American Revolution, the young city soon bounced back, even bodies of water, the south in the midst of the of and the Gulf of Florida was controlled by the Spanish , Miami has a pleasing, until 1821, when ceded the ter- the 1930s. It was then that Pan American tropical climate. ritory to the United States. For several Airways began its Flying Clipper air service thereafter, south Florida was pop- from Miami, advertising the city as the ulated mainly by pirates, runaway slaves, “Gateway to the Americas.” At the same and displaced Indians who sought refuge time, development in nearby Miami Beach in the region and came to be known col- lured rich tourists to the area once again. lectively as the Tribe. Today When a German submarine sank a several thousand live on six U.S. ship just off the early in World reservations throughout South Florida. War II, South Florida was quickly trans- Credit for the birth of a city from this formed into a massive military base. After alligator- and mosquito-infested swamp the war, many of the soldiers who had been

36 2008 N u m b e r 3 | E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m stationed there settled in the area, creating another real estate boom. Retirees from the cold Northeast also flocked by the thousands to Miami’s sunny climes. Over the years, Miami has been beset by the usual urban ills—street crime, drug trafficking, political corruption, and civil unrest—but again and again it has tri- umphed to resume its role as America’s tropical playground. And in recent years, it has gained a new reputation as a hub of international commerce.

Tropical Paradise— This modern city rests on limestone bedrock beneath a layer of soil not more lars’ worth of damage but sparing most of than 50 feet thick. Covered thousands of downtown Miami and Miami Beach. years ago by a shallow sea, Miami is still Miami, just 90 miles from only about 12 feet above sea level. The , is home to a large number of Cuban immigrants. massive , which lies just A Haven for Immigrants— below the surface, supplies ample drinking The threat of storms does little to water to most of South Florida but also deter the thousands of people who settle hampers underground construction and in Miami every year. Comprising just makes a subway system impossible. 35 square miles of land, it is one of the Miami has the distinction of being most densely populated cities in the coun- the only major U.S. city bordered by try, with more than 404,000 people. Some two national parks— National 2.5 million live in Miami-Dade , Park, a vast expanse of subtropical marsh- which encompasses the city of Miami and land, to the west and Biscayne National 31 other municipalities. County residents Park, a 181,000-acre underwater refuge come from more than 120 countries and to the east. speak 68 . The majority Hispan- Thanks to the warm ic population of Miami is made up mostly just 15 miles offshore, Miami of refugees from poverty and political enjoys a pleasing tropical climate. Tem- unrest in the Caribbean and Central and peratures average 76 degrees Fahrenheit . In their adopted city, they year-round, with winters typically drier have created distinctive neighborhoods, and cooler and summers hot and humid. such as Little and Little , Summer temperatures have never topped whose marketplaces and celebrations echo 100 degrees, and there has been only one those of their homelands. recorded snowfall—in January 1977. Calle Ocho, ’s main Located between two large, warm street, hosts the country’s largest Latino bodies of water—the south Atlantic and festival, attended by more than a million the Gulf of Mexico—Miami is especially people. Other sights in Little Havana vulnerable to hurricanes, which typically include monuments to Cuban heroes occur between June and November. The and a Cubano version of the Hollywood worst in recent memory occurred in 1992, “Walk of Stars” that features Latino actors, when struck the region playwrights, and musicians, such as singer with sustained winds of 165 miles per Gloria Estefan. Considering that Miami hour, causing more than 25 billion dol- is just 90 miles from Cuba—much closer

E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m | N u m b e r 3 2008 37 than it is to Tallahassee, the state capital Creole, a pidgin language based mostly

The Miami skyline, lit up of Florida—it’s not surprising that Cuban on French. For years, the heart of the against the night sky and immigrants are one of the most influential neighborhood was the Caribbean Market- reflected in the surrounding ethnic groups in the area. A half million place, a replica of a market in the Haitian water, projects an image of a vibrant international city. or so fled their island nation capital, Port-au-Prince, which sold every- after ’s Communist takeover thing from fruits and spices to voodoo in 1959. Two decades later, when Cas- candles and brightly-colored paintings. tro announced that anyone who wished Now Haitian activists and preservationists to leave Cuba by boat could freely do are opposing the city’s plan to demolish so from the docks at Mariel, the result the old building to make way for a new was a mass exodus known as the Mariel theater and community center. Boatlift. During four months in 1980, The influx of into Miami some 125,000 people, including 25,000 was followed by Nicaraguan refugees flee- prisoners and mental patients Castro had ing the Sandanista government in that released, arrived on Florida’s shores, over- country and more recently by immigrants whelming Miami’s economy and escalat- from South American countries, such as ing existing racial tensions in the city. Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. Adding During the 1980s, thousands of Hai- to the cultural mix are significant num- tians also landed in Miami, having risked bers of Jewish Americans, Asians, and their lives on leaky boats to escape the even a burgeoning Russian community grinding poverty and political oppression known as Little Moscow. in their homeland. Miami’s While ethnic clashes and disputes over now is home to more than 30,000 Hai- immigrant issues have been inevitable in tian immigrants, most of whom speak this , the cultural diversity and

38 2008 N u m b e r 3 | E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m rich ethnic traditions have helped make Miami as their base in the Americas. Miami the vibrant city it is today. General Motors, Microsoft, Disney, and Kraft Foods are among the corporate Commerce, Cruises, giants whose Latin American headquar- and Colleges— ters are located in Miami. The city also ranks as a major inter- With Miami’s international flavor national banking center with more than and alluring climate, it is not surprising 100 commercial banks and foreign bank- that remains the number one ing agencies. Miami also hosts more than A leaves the Port industry in the region. Some 11.5 million 100 foreign and foreign trade of Miami, which serves over people visit Greater Miami every year, offices, which contributes to its reputa- 20 cruise ship lines sailing to pumping more than 16 billion dollars tion as a world metropolis. more than 250 around the world. into the local economy. As a city essentially surrounded by But Miami’s position as the gateway ocean, Miami enjoys a thriving maritime to Latin America has made it a magnet industry. Besides ranking as one of the for business as well. The city boasts that nation’s busiest cargo ports, the Port of more than 500 multinational firms use Miami is the Cruise Capital of the World,

E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m | N u m b e r 3 2008 39 © ShutterStock serving more than 20 cruise ship lines versity of Miami’s Rosensteil School of Tourism is Miami's number one that sail to more than 100 countries and Marine and Atmospheric Science is one industry, and its many beaches are among the greatest 250 ports around the globe. In 2007, more of the most important centers for oceano- attractions for tourists and than 3.7 million passengers passed through graphic and atmospheric research in the residents alike. the Port of Miami. The cruise industry United States. And the university’s School and cargo trade combined provide some of Medicine houses leading departments 110,000 jobs and contribute 16 billion for treatment of diabetes and eye diseases, dollars a year to the local economy. as well as the world’s largest center for The Miami area offers opportunities research on spinal cord injury. for education and research at a dozen col- The campus of Florida International leges and universities, including state-sup- University houses the National Hurricane ported Florida International University, Center, where meteorologists continuous- the largest university in South Florida; ly monitor and predict the path of tropical Miami-Dade Community College, the storms in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific largest community college in the country; Oceans during peak hurricane . and the , the largest The center issues advisories and warnings private university in the state. The Uni- whenever a storm threatens land.

40 2008 N u m b e r 3 | E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m © ShutterStock , football, , and hockey, Attractions for All— Colorful sailboards and hot air as well as world-class tennis and golf As a year-round outdoor playground, balloons are common sights on tournaments, thoroughbred horse racing, beaches in Miami. Miami offers numerous attractions and and greyhound dog racing. Also popular leisure time activities for visitors and resi- is the Basque game of , billed as dents alike. Sun worshippers can luxuri- perhaps the fastest ball game on earth; jai ate on any of 16 beaches, while Miami’s alai players literally run up the walls of a abundant waters beckon those who enjoy court to catch a ball traveling upwards of boating, fishing, and windsurfing. Nature 170 miles per hour. lovers can dive or snorkel on protected tropical reefs in or Tamer but equally fascinating attrac- canoe the Everglades’ vast “river of grass,” tions in the Miami area include those a habitat of such rare and endangered spe- described below. cies as the manatee, the American croco- • Miami Metro Zoo. In this 300-acre dile, and the Florida panther. cageless zoo, some 1,300 animals To the delight of sports enthusi- from , Africa, Australia, and asts, Miami boasts professional teams in the Americas roam on islands sur-

E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m | N u m b e r 3 2008 41 rounded by moats. Visitors can ride Whether Miami beckons for busi- a monorail to view the animals in ness, fun, or permanent refuge, its sun- simulated natural habitats. shine, warm breezes, cultural diversity, • Miami Science . High- and numerous attractions make it a truly lights include a planetarium, a wild- Magic City for all who visit or call it life center specializing in ecological home. research and rehabilitation of injured birds, and special exhibits, such as a Websites of Interest— www.miamigov.com— © ShutterStock collection of rare dinosaur fossils. The official website of the city of Miami, Dolphins are a popular • . Visitors can attraction at Miami this site provides information about history, Seaquarium. enjoy year-round outdoor shows government, and arts and entertainment. featuring dolphins and killer whales and can even swim with dolphins. www.flheritage.com— Home also to seals and sea lions, Maintained by the Florida State Office endangered sea turtles, and mana- of Cultural, Historical, and Information Pro- grams, this website is the go-to place for tees, the 38-acre site offers spec- details about Florida’s history, archaeology, tacular views of and and cultural resources. the Miami skyline. web.miamibeachfl.gov— • Parrot . Not limited Here at the official site of the City of just to parrots, this 18-acre site is Miami Beach, you’ll find all you need to know © ShutterStock inhabited by more than 3,000 birds about the Miami area’s trendiest destination. Miami Seaquarium is home and animals. Highlights include to manatees, an endangered The “Visitors” section offers a virtual tour. species. close-up encounters with wild- life and spectacular shows such as www.miamidade.gov/filmiami/Fun_Facts.asp— Winged Wonders, Reptiles of the This site features interesting facts about Miami-Dade County, compiled by the gov- Jungle, and Tale of the Tiger. ernment office that promotes film and televi- • Venetian Pool. Created from a for- sion production in the region. Did you know, mer coral quarry, this is considered for instance, that Miami-Dade imports more one of the most beautiful pub- live flowers than any other county in the lic swimming pools in the United United States? Or that school students are States. Designed to echo the lagoons taught in 16 different languages? of Venice, Italy, it features waterfalls, © ShutterStock a grotto, and a Venetian style bridge References— Miami's Parrot Jungle Island Capitman, B., and S. Brooke. 1988. Deco delights: features many colorful parrots. leading to a palm-shaded island. Now on the National Register of Preserving the beauty and joy of Miami Beach architecture. New York, NY: E.P. Dutton. Historic Places, the pool once host- Fodor’s Travel Publications. 2007. South Florida, ed celebrities such as swimmer and 6th edition. New York, NY: Random House. film star Esther Williams. Harris, R. 2005. Hidden Miami. Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press. • Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Klepser, C., and A. Parks. 2002. Miami then and This lavish Italian Renaissance now. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press. mansion, inspired by the palaces of , was built in 1916 as the winter residence of industrialist . Now it is a National © ShutterStock Historic Landmark and accredited Miami's Vizcaya Museum was built in 1916 as a private man- museum, and the art- and antique- Ph y l l i s Mcin t o s h is a freelance writer sion. Today the house and gar- filled home and formal gardens are whose work has appeared in many national dens are open to the public. open to the public. magazines and newspapers.

42 2008 N u m b e r 3 | E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m © Ge t t y This aerial view shows the long Miami Beach—stretch of white sand beaches The most popular destination in Miami is not actually part of the city at all. It that draws people to Miami Beach. is Miami Beach, a separate town with a population of 95,000 situated on a string of barrier islands linked to the mainland by causeways. Following real estate booms in the 1920s and 1930s and construction of the town’s modern style hotels and apartment buildings, Miami Beach became a vacation magnet for millionaires, celebrities, and ordinary Americans alike. It was dubbed the “sun and fun capital” by comedian , who taped his weekly variety show in Miami Beach in the .

E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m | N u m b e r 3 2008 43 © ShutterStock These are just a few of the A decade or so later, however, hard times had befallen the famed Art Deco area, hundreds of colorful Art Deco which was by then populated mainly by aged retirees and drug dealers. Many of the buildings in Miami Beach, which has the largest rundown buildings destined for the wrecking ball, when a group of local vision- collection of Art Deco aries set out to save the neighborhood. In 1979, the Art Deco Historic District was architecture in the world. added to the National Register of Historic Places, and investors began renovating the buildings and repainting them in lively pastel hues. This renaissance got a further boost when the 1980s television show popularized the area among its legions of viewers. Fashion designers and photographers fell in love with the scenic backdrop, and soon tourists were flocking to Miami Beach once again. Today, the Art Deco Historic District, with more than 800 historic structures, represents the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. It is also the hub of , the trendiest neighborhood in Miami Beach, which features hundreds of , , boutique hotels—and that famous wide expanse of beautiful white sand beach.

44 2008 N u m b e r 3 | E n g l i s h T E a c h i n g F o r u m