As the third most visited country in the world in 2006, it may be a bit of an understatement to say that the USA has a lot to offer the fifty million or so tourists who holiday there each year. From natural wonders and historic landmarks, to outdoor activities and major cities; the USA has it all.
It is the cities that, perhaps, most people think about when they think of the USA. New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas…the list could go on. One city in particular enjoys a prime coastal location and year-round sunshine, making it a hit with city-lovers and beach-bums alike, and that place is Miami, or ‘The Magic City’.
Situated on the south-east coast of the ‘Sunshine State’, Florida, Miami’s average high temperature in the winter months is around 25 degrees Celsius, making it a popular place with tourists from colder climates during the Christmas holidays. As it has a true tropical climate, Miami does experience warm summers, though it is rarely unbearably hot. The average high temperature in the summer months is a little over 30 degrees Celsius, and it never falls below 24 degrees.
Indeed, this warm climate makes it the ideal place to relax by the sea. With 15-miles of white-sand beaches, Miami is a sun-worshipper’s paradise. The area of ‘Miami Beach’, although technically a separate city to Miami itself, has been one of the USA’s most famous beach resorts for over 100 years, and is also home to South Beach, a glamorous and historical art-deco district that is world-renowned for its nightclubs, beaches and shopping.
And if soaking up the rays is a little too sedate an activity then there is also a large number of professional Sport teams in Miami to enjoy. From the Miami Dolphins American football team and the Florida Panthers in the national ice-hockey league, to the Miami Heat Basketball team and Florida Marlins Baseball team; there is sure to be a sporting fixture to appeal to you.
Miami has a large Hispanic community, with over 65% of the population speaking Spanish as their first language, making it the largest Spanish-speaking population outside of Latin America in the western hemisphere. There is a large Cuban population in Miami, and the western side of the city is home to ‘little Havana’, an ethnic district housing many Cuban immigrants. This cultural distinction creates a fascinating and unforgettable Miami holiday experience.
Moreover, in 2008, Miami was voted America’s cleanest city by Forbes magazine in terms of air quality, drinking water, clean streets and recycling programmes in operation. And this can only serve to cement Miami’s reputation as being one of the world’s top tourist destinations. Miami really is, it would seem, a Magic City.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only. |
