Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida

Hispanohablantes en los Hispanohablantes en los Estados UnidosEstados Unidos

La Habana PhotosLa Habana Photos Sites you may see while visiting La Sites you may see while visiting La

pequeña habana.pequeña habana.

Calle OchoCalle Ocho

What is happening on Calle Ocho?What is happening on Calle Ocho?

South Beach MiamiSouth Beach Miami

Where money and college kids go to Where money and college kids go to play.play.

South Beach History FactsSouth Beach History Facts

South Beach started as farmland. In 1870, South Beach started as farmland. In 1870, Henry and Charles Lum purchased 165 Henry and Charles Lum purchased 165 acres (668,000 m²) for coconut farming, and acres (668,000 m²) for coconut farming, and his daughter Taylor named it "South Beach". his daughter Taylor named it "South Beach". Charles Lum built the first house on the Charles Lum built the first house on the beach in 1886. In 1894, the Lum brothers beach in 1886. In 1894, the Lum brothers left the island, leaving control of the left the island, leaving control of the plantation to John Collins, who came to plantation to John Collins, who came to South Beach two years later to survey the South Beach two years later to survey the land. He used the land for farming purposes, land. He used the land for farming purposes, discovering fresh water and extending his discovering fresh water and extending his parcel from 14th Street to 67th in 1907.parcel from 14th Street to 67th in 1907.

In 1912, Miami businessmen the In 1912, Miami businessmen the Lummus Brothers acquired 400 acres Lummus Brothers acquired 400 acres (1.6 km²) of Collins' land in an effort (1.6 km²) of Collins' land in an effort to build an oceanfront city of modest to build an oceanfront city of modest single family residences. In 1913 single family residences. In 1913 Collins started construction of a Collins started construction of a bridge from Miami to Miami Beach. bridge from Miami to Miami Beach. Although some local residents Although some local residents invested in the bridge, Collins ran invested in the bridge, Collins ran short of money before he could short of money before he could complete it.complete it.

Carl G. Fisher, a successful Carl G. Fisher, a successful entrepreneur who made millions in entrepreneur who made millions in 1909 after selling a business to Union 1909 after selling a business to Union Carbide, came to the beach in 1913. Carbide, came to the beach in 1913. His vision was to establish South Beach His vision was to establish South Beach as a successful city independent of as a successful city independent of Miami. This was the same year that the Miami. This was the same year that the restaurant Joe's Stone Crab opened. On restaurant Joe's Stone Crab opened. On March 26, 1915, Collins, Lummus, and March 26, 1915, Collins, Lummus, and Fisher consolidated their efforts and Fisher consolidated their efforts and incorporated the Town of Miami Beach. incorporated the Town of Miami Beach.

In 1920, the Miami Beach land boom In 1920, the Miami Beach land boom began. South Beach's main streets (5th began. South Beach's main streets (5th Street, Alton Road, Collins Avenue, Street, Alton Road, Collins Avenue, Washington Avenue, and Ocean Drive) Washington Avenue, and Ocean Drive) were all suitable for automobile traffic. The were all suitable for automobile traffic. The population was growing in the 1920s, and population was growing in the 1920s, and several millionaires such as Harveyseveral millionaires such as Harvey Firestone, J.C. Penney, Harvey Stutz, Albert Firestone, J.C. Penney, Harvey Stutz, Albert Champion, Frank Seiberling, and Rockwell Champion, Frank Seiberling, and Rockwell LaGorce built homes on Miami Beach. LaGorce built homes on Miami Beach. President Warren G. Harding stayed at the President Warren G. Harding stayed at the Flamingo Hotel during this time, increasing Flamingo Hotel during this time, increasing interest in the area.interest in the area.

In the 1930s, an architectural revolution In the 1930s, an architectural revolution came to South Beach, bringing Art Deco, came to South Beach, bringing Art Deco, Streamline, Moderne, and Nautical Moderne Streamline, Moderne, and Nautical Moderne architecture to the Beach. To this day, architecture to the Beach. To this day, South Beach remains the world's largest South Beach remains the world's largest collection of Streamline Moderne Art Deco collection of Streamline Moderne Art Deco architecture. Napier, New Zealand, another architecture. Napier, New Zealand, another notable Art Deco city, makes an interesting notable Art Deco city, makes an interesting comparison with Miami Beach as it was comparison with Miami Beach as it was rebuilt in the Ziggurat Art Deco style after rebuilt in the Ziggurat Art Deco style after being destroyed by an earthquake in 1931.being destroyed by an earthquake in 1931.

By 1940, the beach had a population of By 1940, the beach had a population of 28,000. After the December 7, 1941 attack 28,000. After the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Corps took on Pearl Harbor, the Army Air Corps took command over Miami Beach.command over Miami Beach.

Streamline Moderne and other Streamline Moderne and other examples of architecture in South examples of architecture in South Beach.Beach.

Along South Beach beachesAlong South Beach beaches

In 1966, South Beach became even more famous In 1966, South Beach became even more famous when Jackie Gleason brought his weekly variety when Jackie Gleason brought his weekly variety series, series, TheThe Jackie Gleason ShowJackie Gleason Show to the area for to the area for taping, something new in the industry. Beginning in taping, something new in the industry. Beginning in the late 1970s and continuing through the 1980s, the late 1970s and continuing through the 1980s, South Beach was used as a retirement community South Beach was used as a retirement community with most of its ocean-front hotels and apartment with most of its ocean-front hotels and apartment buildings filled with elderly people living on small, buildings filled with elderly people living on small, fixed incomes. This period also saw the fixed incomes. This period also saw the introduction of the "cocaine cowboys," drug dealers introduction of the "cocaine cowboys," drug dealers who used the area as a base for their illicit drug who used the area as a base for their illicit drug activities. The television show activities. The television show Miami ViceMiami Vice used used South Beach as a backdrop for much of its filming South Beach as a backdrop for much of its filming due to the area's raw and unique visual beauty. A due to the area's raw and unique visual beauty. A somewhat recurring theme of early somewhat recurring theme of early Miami ViceMiami Vice episodes was thugs and drug addicts barricading episodes was thugs and drug addicts barricading themselves in utterly run-down, almost ruin-like themselves in utterly run-down, almost ruin-like empty buildings. Only minor alterations had to be empty buildings. Only minor alterations had to be made for these scenes because this is how South made for these scenes because this is how South Beach really looked at the time. Beach really looked at the time.

South Beach todaySouth Beach todayToday, South Beach is the home of a number of Today, South Beach is the home of a number of professionals and a great deal of the fashion industry professionals and a great deal of the fashion industry is based there. The reflection of South Beach's is based there. The reflection of South Beach's residents is evident in the various European residents is evident in the various European languages, as well as Semitic languages and many languages, as well as Semitic languages and many other languages are spoken. As of 2000, many Miami other languages are spoken. As of 2000, many Miami Beach residents, including those of South Beach, Beach residents, including those of South Beach, spoke Spanish as a first language, which accounted spoke Spanish as a first language, which accounted for 55% of residents, while English was the first for 55% of residents, while English was the first language for only 33% of the population. Reflecting language for only 33% of the population. Reflecting the European and Brazilian community, Portuguese the European and Brazilian community, Portuguese (mainly Brazilian, Portuguese) was spoken by 3% of (mainly Brazilian, Portuguese) was spoken by 3% of residents, while French (including Canadian French) residents, while French (including Canadian French) was at 2%, German at 1.12%, Italian 0.99%, and was at 2%, German at 1.12%, Italian 0.99%, and Russian was 0.85% of the population. Due to the large Russian was 0.85% of the population. Due to the large Jewish and Israeli community, Yiddish made up 0.81% Jewish and Israeli community, Yiddish made up 0.81% of speakers, and Hebrew was the mother tongue of of speakers, and Hebrew was the mother tongue of 0.74% of the population. 0.74% of the population.

There are several residential neighborhoods There are several residential neighborhoods in South Beach. The old stereotype of South in South Beach. The old stereotype of South Beach as a run-down retirement mecca for Beach as a run-down retirement mecca for senior citizens is exploited in the movie, senior citizens is exploited in the movie, “The Crew" which starred Richard Dreyfuss “The Crew" which starred Richard Dreyfuss and Burt Reynolds. In its early existence, and Burt Reynolds. In its early existence, blacks (those of African American and West blacks (those of African American and West Indian descent), many of whom helped build Indian descent), many of whom helped build many of the original Art Deco buildings were many of the original Art Deco buildings were not even permitted to live on South Beach, not even permitted to live on South Beach, or any part of Miami Beach for that matter. or any part of Miami Beach for that matter. Also, during segregation, the Jews were Also, during segregation, the Jews were subjected to Jim Crow laws, and therefore subjected to Jim Crow laws, and therefore they were not allowed to live north of Fifth they were not allowed to live north of Fifth Street. Some now call this area Street. Some now call this area SoFiSoFi ((South of FifthSouth of Fifth.) .)

Miami BeachMiami Beach

Trendy places to stay….Trendy places to stay….

Miami Beach FactsMiami Beach FactsMiami BeachMiami Beach is a city in Miami-Dade is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city was incorporated County, Florida. The city was incorporated on March 26on March 26th th 1915. 1915... It is located on a It is located on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic; the Bay separates Miami the Atlantic; the Bay separates Miami Beach from the city of Miami.Beach from the city of Miami. The city is The city is often referred to under the “Miami, or just often referred to under the “Miami, or just The Beach." As of the last census, the city The Beach." As of the last census, the city had a total population of 87,933. 55.5% of had a total population of 87,933. 55.5% of the population was foreign born. A 2005 the population was foreign born. A 2005 population estimate for the city was 87,925. population estimate for the city was 87,925. Miami Beach has been one of America's Miami Beach has been one of America's pre-eminent beach resorts for close to a pre-eminent beach resorts for close to a century. century.

VizcayaVizcaya

Home of some of Miami’s royalty…Home of some of Miami’s royalty…

VizcayaVizcaya Vizcaya was the winter home of Vizcaya was the winter home of

James Deering,Vice President of James Deering,Vice President of International Harvester. It was built International Harvester. It was built from 1914 to 1916, employing 1/10th from 1914 to 1916, employing 1/10th of Miami's then population of 10,000. of Miami's then population of 10,000. It's rather like "Versailles in Miami", It's rather like "Versailles in Miami", in miniature. in miniature. The interior is in the usual mish-mash The interior is in the usual mish-mash of European styles, with various of European styles, with various artifacts from here and there.artifacts from here and there.

Views of the grounds of VizcayaViews of the grounds of Vizcaya

The incredible gardens of VizcayaThe incredible gardens of Vizcaya

Shall We Dance?Shall We Dance?

Salsa is king in MiamiSalsa is king in Miami

Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Cuban Caribbean genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad that was brought to international fame by Cuban and Puerto Rican musicians.

SalsaSalsaSalsa is essentially Cuban in style and origin Salsa is essentially Cuban in style and origin though it also has styles mixed with pop, though it also has styles mixed with pop, jazz, rock, and R & B. Salsa is the primary jazz, rock, and R & B. Salsa is the primary music played at Latin dance clubs and is the music played at Latin dance clubs and is the "essential pulse of Latin it is believed by "essential pulse of Latin it is believed by many that it is the "most popular dance many that it is the "most popular dance (music) among Puerto Rican and Cuban (music) among Puerto Rican and Cuban communities, as well as Central and South communities, as well as Central and South America.“ It is thought to be one of the America.“ It is thought to be one of the most dynamic and significant pan-American most dynamic and significant pan-American musical phenomena of the 1970s and musical phenomena of the 1970s and 1980s". Modern salsa remains a dance-1980s". Modern salsa remains a dance-oriented genre and is closely associated oriented genre and is closely associated with a style of salsa dancing.with a style of salsa dancing.

Miami collage from the skyline to the Freedom Tower to Vizcaya, from the nightlife, to the beaches, to the ports and including sports (pro, college, whatever your fancy. Miami has it all.