History highlights
Miami and Miami Beach are really two separate cities. Miami, on the mainland is South Florida's commercial hub. Miami Beach, on 17 islands in Biscayne Bay, is sometimes considered America's Rivera.
The South Beach is a section of Miami Beach. It is located on an island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
The South Beach Miami starts at 1st Street and ends on 23rd Street.
About 100 years ago Miami was mosquito-infested swampland with an Indian trading post on the Miami River.
South Beach was the first section of Miami Beach to be developed in the 1910s.
The 1926 hurricane destroyed a major part of Miami.
In the 1950s thousands of Cubans fleeing the regime of Fidel Castro arrived in mainland Miami.
In the late 1970's, many refuges from Haiti also began settling in the Miami area.
In the late 1970s - 1980s, South Beach was mostly a retirement community.
In 1980 Miami had the highest murder rate in America.
In the late 1980s began a renaissance of South Beach Miami.
Today South Beach Miami is a popular travel destination for people of all ages.
Economy
Tourism is the main industry producing billions of dollars every year. The Miami metropolitan area also has many light manufacturing plants. Other products include furniture, clothing, metal goods, printed material and transportation equipment.
Miami temperature averages 81o F (27o C) in July and 71o F (22o C) in January. The coastal ares have slightly colder summer and warmer winter than do island areas.
Miami International Airport is one of the busiest terminals. The airport serves as the main gateway between the United States and Latin America.
The Port of Miami handles passengers and cargo ships from all over the world.
Pick Tourist season - from mid October through April.
More info bits
Miami Beach Population - 87,925.
Miami Population - 404,000.
Miami has the biggest Latin American population outside of Latin America.
Miami Beach has been rated as one of the 10 best in the world.
Time Zone - Miami like New York, is in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) Zone.
Miami Sales Tax is 7 %.
Cultural life
Miami has an opera company, two dance companies, and several art galleries and theaters.
The downtown Miami-Date Cultural Center houses the main library, the Miami Art Museum, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.
In South Beach you will find the concert hall of New World Symphony Orchestra, 
Bass Art Museum, Miami Convention Center,
Regal Movie Theater on Lincoln Road, many art galleries and more.
Other points of interest include Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Lowe Art Museum, Metrozoo, the Seaquarium, the World Erotic Art Museum and Visacaya Museum and Gardens.
Sports
The metropolitan area is also a home of the Miami Dolphins of National Football League, the Florida Marlins National league Baseball Team, The Miami HEAT of the National Baseball Association, and the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.
We are adding more interesting facts about South Beach Miami as we find them. Come back soon to find more! If you are looking for information what to do in SoBe, check our events calendar and ongoing (and free) events list.
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