Miami

Miami (English [maɪæmi] or [maɪæmə]) is a city in the United States, financial and cultural center of international level, located southeast of the state of Florida. The population of the county seat of Miami-Dade is inhabitants1 399,457 in 2010, making Miami the second town in Florida behind Jacksonville and the 44th city in the United States. City of leisure and entertainment, it is a popular seaside resort that is part of a string of famous resorts from Key West, Miami is the first of a vast agglomeration of 5,564,635 inhabitants (2010), the eighth urban center United States (after Washington and Atlanta before). Its marina is the first port of cruise ships, with a third of the world fleet.

Greater Miami encompasses many cities that lend him a look that is both urban and rural. The city of Miami, as opposed to its suburbs, is not only composed of the city center (3.8 km ²) at the mouth of the river, but also several communities like Coconut Grove, which despite their annexation, knew retain their individuality.

Because of its economic, cultural and linguistic relations with North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, this global city is nicknamed "Passage of the Americas" or "Gateway to the Americas." This large port area is a major Hispanic centers in the United States by both strong economic ties with Latin America Florida by a large Cuban minority, however in the process of assimilation by the American way of life. This urban center, some areas show a high concentration of black population is francophone by his Haitian minority, which combines the legacy of poverty. Its overall population that meets the definition of old melting pot is colorful.

Downtown Miami in recent years saw urban renewal. The people are sometimes called Miamians2 the United States.

Miami is located at the same latitude as Taiwan, and the same longitude as Ecuador. The city covers an area of ​​143.15 km2, of which 92.68 km2 of land area. Among the cities of the United States, it is the smallest in extent (San Francisco and Boston are slightly larger).

The municipality and its suburbs occupy a large coastal plain estuary on the Miami River. It is located between two national parks, the Everglades to the west and that of Biscayne east. Its average altitude is around 0.91 m and does not exceed 4.5 m, especially near the coast. The highest points are on the Miami Rock Ridge (en), a limestone outcrop in the east of the city. The center is located on the coast of Biscayne Bay which is dotted with numerous islands, natural or artificial, which is home to the largest Miami Beach and South Beach. The Gulf Stream, a warm current, passes some 24 km from the coast and allows Miami to have a warm climate all year round.

The Miami metropolitan area includes Miami-Dade and a large number of islands, including Miami Beach (connected to the coast by seven road bridges), Virginia Key and Key Biscayne (served in turn by the Rickenbacker Causeway).

The bedrock of the city is called Miami oolite or Miami limestone. It is covered with a thin soil an average of 15 meters. The limestone rocks formed there are about 130,000 years during the Sangamon interglacial period. The Miami area was then located in a shallow sea in which were deposited layers of oolites and the shells of bryozoans. Sea levels began to decline with the onset of the Wisconsin glaciation, there are about 100,000 years old and the lagoon began émerger7. The land was originally formed when the area was submerged due to the abundance of calcium carbonate in seawater. Due to the capture of ocean water in the polar caps, the level the sea was lowered and many lands found themselves emerged, forming cays (or keys) 8.


Panoramic view of the city at night.
The Biscayne aquifer is under the plaine9 and extends from Palm Beach County to Florida Bay. It serves as a water source for the Greater Miami. It is between 4.5 and 6 meters below the surface, making it impossible to build a subway in the city (there is however an air metrorail).


The city of Miami is divided into five electoral districts, each administered by a district commissioner. It is also divided into thirteen districts officials. They are used by the City of Miami, usually for the purpose of urban and social planning, but are also used for the administration and the population census. Each of the thirteen districts include currency area to help improve the lives of local residents. These offices are managed by the NET (Neighboorhood Enhancement Team) 17, a structure set up by the city of Miami in 1992.

Miami is now considered a city open to international trade and especially to Latin America. The city is sometimes referred to as the gateway to the United States to Latin America, hence the nickname "The Gateway of the Americas", the gateway to the Americas. Tourism is a major source of revenue for the city that lives off its image as a tropical paradise, especially with the neighboring city of Miami Beach. Beyond its mild climate, its mixed culture and its international character make the area attractive. In 2003, 10.4 million visitors spent at least one night in the city and spent some 9.9 billion dollars23.

The labor force is of 167,689 people in 2006, 9,530 were unemployed, representing 5.1% of total24, higher than the national average. Key areas of the city include social services, education and health (25,250 employees), construction (23 905 employees) 24.

The Port of Miami is the largest port in the world for passenger ships. 3,605,201 people boarded there in 2005, an increase of approximately 15.8% compared to 64 199925. consulates are installed Miami24.

Since 2005, the Miami area saw its biggest building boom since the 1920s and is part of a phenomenon that some call the "Manhattanization" (referring to the borough of Manhattan in New York) to Miami over 80 high-rise buildings and skyscrapers are under construction, buildings along Biscayne Boulevard Biscayne Wall, Marinablue the Ten Museum Park, Marquis Miami, 900 Biscayne Bay, Everglades on the Bay and Freedom Square26. The newly created Midtown Miami is another illustration of the economic vitality of the métropole27.

The city attracts many companies, several large companies have their headquarters in Miami or nearby. Include Alienware, AutoNation, Brightstar Corporation, Burger King, Carnival Cruise Lines, Citrix Systems, DHL, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Ryder Systems, and Spirit Airlines.software update