Located in the sunshine state of Florida, Miami is a coastal metropolis in the U.S. state of Florida and the seat of Miami-Dade County in South Florida. The city has an estimated population of 442,241 as of the 2020 census, making it the second-most populous city in Florida after Jacksonville. Miami is also a very popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, nightlife, cuisine, and cultural diversity. But how much do you really know about this vibrant city? Here are some interesting and fun facts about Miami that will surprise you!
Miami is the only major American city founded by a woman
Miami was founded in 1896 by Julia Tuttle, a wealthy widow from Cleveland who moved to Florida in 1874. She owned a large citrus plantation on the north bank of the Miami River and envisioned a city that would become a trade center for the region. She persuaded Henry Flagler, a railroad tycoon, to extend his Florida East Coast Railway to Miami, offering him land in exchange for his investment. She is the only woman in the United States known for having founded a major city.
Miami has the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the US
Miami is well-known for its numerous Art Deco buildings, especially in the South Beach area. The Art Deco District features over 800 buildings in the Art Deco style, dating from the 1920s to the 1940s. The buildings have a distinctive white and pastel stucco design, with geometric shapes, curved lines, and decorative motifs. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and attracts millions of visitors every year.
Miami is the cruise capital of the world
The Port of Miami is the largest and busiest cruise ship port in the world, handling almost five million passengers per year. The port is home to many major cruise lines, such as Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Celebrity. The port also serves as a gateway to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, offering a variety of destinations and itineraries. The port is nicknamed the “Cruise Capital of the World” and the “Cargo Gateway of the Americas”.
Miami is the only US city bordered by two national parks
Miami is surrounded by natural beauty and wildlife, as it is the only US city bordered by two national parks: the Everglades and Biscayne National Park. The Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, covering 1.5 million acres of wetlands, marshes, prairies, and forests. The park is home to many endangered species, such as the American crocodile, the Florida panther, and the manatee. Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the US, encompassing 172,971 acres of coral reefs, islands, mangroves, and bay waters. The park is a paradise for snorkelers, divers, boaters, and anglers, who can explore the diverse marine life and historic shipwrecks.
Miami is sometimes nicknamed the “Magic City”
Miami is an incredible city that has grown rapidly from a small settlement to a global metropolis in a short span of time. The city went from a mangrove swamp to one of the most important cities in the world in less than a century. This exceptionally quick growth is the main reason why it was nicknamed the “Magic City” by the local media and residents. Other reasons include its amazing climate, its multicultural population, and its dynamic economy.
These are just some of the fascinating facts about Miami, Florida, that you should know. Miami is a city that has something for everyone, whether you are looking for culture, entertainment, nature, or history. Miami is a city that will enchant you with its magic!