Miami Beach, Florida is a municipality located in Miami-Dade County, on an island situated between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay. 2009. One of the city's greatest claims to fame – besides it miles of beaches and glorious weather – is that it has the world's largest number of Art Deco buildings built between 1923 and 1943, which have been put on the U.S. National Register of Historical Places.
Those moving to Miami Beach will discover a hot and humid climate in the summer months with rain, and remains warm during the dry winter. Snow has never been recorded in Miami Beach, but it is prone to tropical storms and hurricanes. The city is served by Miami International Airport.
Economy:
The economy of Miami Beach is based on the tourism, hospitality and leisure industries which account for more than 10 percent of the city's workforce. Other industries which contribute to the economy are international banking, trade and finance and, with its close proximity to the Caribbean region, many companies have established their headquarters for Latin America in the area. State, federal and local government are large employers in the area, accounting for many thousands of jobs.
The area's main exports are medical equipment, electrical machinery and photography related items. Textiles, clothing and fashion items are produced, as are pharmaceuticals, plastics and aluminium and furniture. There is also a large agricultural sector. The unemployment rate in Miami Beach is estimated to be 5.5 percent.
Tourism:
Miami Beach is a city of sun, sea and sand and is the perfect tourist location with unlimited attractions for everyone who visits. Just about every water sport is available, as is golf, tennis and polo.
The city's Art Deco heritage is formidable and all the restored apartment blocks, hotels, restaurants, bars and other buildings should not be missed. Miami Beach boasts many fine art galleries (such as the Bass Museum of Art) and outdoor exhibitions to be found in Cultural Arts Neighborhood District Overlay, locally known as Cando. Art Basel Miami Beach is an annual contemporary art event held in December with more than 20 galleries participating. The Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, the Jewish Museum and the Holocaust Memorial are all worth a visit, as are the numerous theatres, the New World Symphony and the Miami Ballet.
History:
In 1870 the father and son team of Henry and Charles Lum sailed to the island which was to become Miami Beach. They liked what they saw and bought the island from the federal government for the sum of 25 cents an acre.