Miami About & Short History

Miami a Quick Overview

Transforming itself from a barrier reef and a mangrove swamp in South Florida to rock star status took the city a little over 100 years. During the 1920s Miami started to boom as Henry Flagler’s railroad took hold in the area and people started to migrate there to find work. The mob also found it. Al Capone was a frequent visitor when Chicago got too hot for him. In 1959 the Cuban population arrived and forever changed the dynamics of the city. Other Latin American residents moved to Miami to escape from poverty and corrupt governments. Miami is made up of a number of mainland communities and islands, as well as two cities, Miami Beach and Miami. Downtown Miami is filled with skyscrapers and little Havana and Miami Beach is defined by its art deco buildings, sandy beaches, crystal blue ocean and its swaying palm trees. The city of Miami is known as the crossroads for finance, commerce, sports, entertainment, tourism and transportation. The economy is constantly changing, thanks to the wealthy Latinos that do business there.