Miami, Florida

History

A Welcoming City, With a Multinational Vibe

The area that is now Miami was originally settled by the Tequestas, a Native American tribe. By the 17th or 18th Century the area around Lake Mayaimi (now Lake Okeechobee) was settled by people who were referred to as Mayaims. As the Spanish made inroads into America in the 16th Century a small missionary was set up in the area, and many Native Americans died as a result of diseases such as smallpox.

During the late 1700’s, many of the Native American peoples had been displaced, and during wars between native tribes and the US government the area that is now Miami was devastated. Up until 1842, therefore, the area was very slowly settled and developed.

Towards the last half of the 19th Century, William English founded the village of Miami on the south bank of the Miami River. On the north side a woman named Julia Tuttle founded a citrus plantation, with the aim of turning the city into a gateway for international trade. She persuaded Henry Flagler to expand his railroad to Miami. By the turn of the century the railroad had reached Miami and the city was incorporated with 444 citizens.

From this point the city expanded rapidly and enjoyed real estate booms, as well as becoming a tourist spot as Miami Beach was developed. Miami also enjoyed another boost to the economy due to WWII as hundreds of thousands of servicemen trained in South Florida. By 1959, Fidel Castro had come to power, leading to an exodus of people from Cuba, many of whom settled in Miami.

During the 1960’s Miami experienced rapid population growth and an increasingly multicultural flavor. Neighborhoods like “Little Havana” were established, with over 500,000 Cuban-American residents. A further population influx occurred in the late 1970’s when over 100,000 Haitians and Nicaraguans arrived. Today, over two thirds of the population speaks Spanish as their first language.

The rapid expansion of Miami in just 110 years (1896-2006) from a mere 1,000 residents to over 5.5 million earned it the nickname “the Magic City”.

Climate

A Perfect Place for Sun & Sea Lovers

Miami has a Tropical Monsoon climate, with a marked dry season (winter) and a wet season that begins in June and ends mid-October. In the wet season temperatures and humidity can build, reaching the mid 80’s to low 90’s (F). Humidity is usually relieved by thunderstorms and afternoon sea breezes, but it can be muggy during these months.

In the winter it is warm with temperatures reaching 73-80 °F. Snow is extremely rare in Miami, having never been officially recorded, and it’s rare for temperatures to go much below 70°F.

Miami has a hurricane season, which runs from June to November, and hurricanes are most likely to hit between mid-august through the end of September. One to two hurricanes make landfall in Florida per year, with only 40% hitting this area since 1851. Business, educational governmental institutions give hurricane preparedness advice year-round so that you know what to do in the event of a hurricane hitting Miami.

Education

A Well-Rounded Education System & Excellent Start-up Rates

Miami has had a history of funding shortages and student overcrowding in many of its public schools. In recent years, the district has invested in bringing the standard of education up via digital learning, and has also introduced magnet schools. These are public schools that are allowed to select based on competitive admissions policies and they enjoy better reputations and lower drop-out rates than many other public schools.

Private schools in Miami are also based on competitive admissions policies and can be expensive. They enjoy great reputations, but it’s important to plan early for admissions processes and entrance exams.

Miami has a range of public and private higher education institutions, such as Florida International University, Manchester Business School, University of Miami and Florida Memorial University.

Perhaps because of Miami Beaches ‘party hard’ reputation, Miami draws plenty of young working millennials, especially in banking and trade. The 2017 Index of Start up Activity by the Kauffman Foundation listed the Miami-Fort Lauderdale areas as number 1 in the country for business start-up activity. With the great colleges dotting the Miami landscape this means you’ll have a wealth of young, talented graduates to choose from if you decide to settle in Miami.

Recreation

Get Active or Relax by the Ocean

Miami is home to a vibrant LGBT community and tends to be welcoming to non-traditional families, with large annual Pride celebrations. There are a range of museums and galleries such as the Jewish Museum of Florida and History Miami, which hosts over 13,000 artifacts dating back to pre-Columbian times.

The weather in Miami, and its rich geography, means that there’s a wealth of outdoor activities to choose from. There are many rivers, canals, bays and marinas, as well as the beaches lining the Atlantic Ocean. This means there’s plenty of chances to fish, surf, boat, sail and snorkel in Miami. As you might expect Miami has a host of incredible beaches, all with a different flavor and culture. It’s home to the world-famous “Ocean Drive”, a stretch of road that is the center of the Miami Art Deco District and home to many incredible restaurants as well as 900 preserved buildings.

As might be expected from a city that has Miami Beach, there are plenty of bars, blubs and parties for you to enjoy.

If you prefer to stay on land Miami has you covered with over 80 parks and gardens in the city. There are many natural life based attractions to visit, such as Miami Zoo, Jungle Island, Miami Seaquarium, Peacock Park and the Fairchild Botanical Gardens.

The cuisine in Miami reflects the multicultural flavor of the city, and has a heavy Caribbean and Latin American influence. It has spawned a unique style of cooking called Floribbean Cuisine, which is widely available throughout the city. There are numerous excellent seafood restaurants as well as, of course, Cuban coffee.