Miami – “Magic City” English Course in Miami
If you are seeking for fun, beach and sun while you are doing an English course, Miami could be one of your favourite destinations!
Miami is a city with about 400.000 inhabitants in the state of Florida on the East coast of the United States of America. Its name derives from the Indigenous word Mayaimi, which means “big water”, in allusion to the Lake Okeechobee close to Miami.
History
The area of Miami was explored by the Spanish conqueror Pedro Menéndez de Avilés in 1566. Only one year later, the first mission was built up.
In the following decades and centuries, Miami was ruled alternately by the Spanish and the British. In 1821, the Spanish finally rendered it to the United States of America.
Two facts helped Miami growing: During the Great Freeze from 1894 and 1895, the crops from Miami were the only ones in Florida to survive. Thereupon, a local citrus grower called Julia Tuttle convinced Henry Flagler, the owner of a big railway line, to extent his railway up to Miami. This is why Julia Tuttle is often referred to as “the mother of Miami”.
In 1896, Miami was officially declared a city with only about 300 inhabitants. From there on it grew steadily.
In the 1920s, gambling was allowed and the prohibition was ignored, so that thousands of people from the North of the States migrated to Miami, causing a big land boom. Within only few years, the skyline of Miami changed completely, so that visitors were of the opinion that it was magic which made the city grew so quickly.
The land boom ended with the Great Depression in the 1930s. The situation got better during the Second World War, when the US armee built up a lot of boot camps all around Miami, because of its good location right at the Southern coast of Florida. Thereupon, Miami became an important US base aganst attacks of German submarines. Many men and women came to Miami in seak of work and until 1950, the population grew up to 500.000 people in Miami and its surroundings.
After Fidel Castro came into power in Cuba in 1959, the population grew again because many Cubans fled and found a new home in Florida. Since then, Miami is often referred to as a cultural melting pot, because of its big Latinamerican population.
Districts
Miami is divided into many different districts, but roughly into North, West, South and Downtown. Downtown in the East is the heart of the city and Florida´s most important business district. The Northern and even more the Western part of the city are characterized by their many traditionally immigrant neighbourhods such as Little Havana. The South includes beautiful historic residential neighbourhoods with old homes and tree-lined streets. It is very famous among college students as it is home to many cafés, bars, restaurants and a bubbly nightlife, such as in Coconut Grove.
Means of transport
In Miami you get easily from one side to the other. You find a vast net of busses and tram lines.
www.miamidade.gov/transit/home.asp
If you want to visit other American cities, there are great train connections leaving from Miami Central Station.
www.micdot.com
Furthermore, there are great overland bus connections offered by the famous Greyhound Lines.
www.greyhound.com
Miami is home of one of the largest international airports worldwide: Miami International Airport, which is connected to the city centre by tram. www.miami-airport.com
In addition to that, Miami offers two other, much smaller international airports: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Palm Beach International Airport.
Climate
The city of Miami enjoys a tropical climate with humid and hot summers with temperatures around 24°C (max. 30-35°C) and dry and warm winters with temperatures around 21°C (min. 15°C). 1977 was the only year in the history of Miami with snow within the city. From May till October, it´s rain season. Miami is one of the American cities with the highest rainfall-rate.
Must-Do´s
Often called the “American Riviera,” Miami has long been a magnet for celebrities, intellectuals and large enterprise business purpose from all around the world. Portrayed in numerous television series and films, Miami has an image of sun, sea and stunning bodies. Indeed, this city offers sunshine throughout the year, in addition to beautiful and extensive beaches. But Miami is much more than that. Some of the things to do in Miami are:
Ocean Drive: With a cocktail on one of the terraces of this famous promenade you can enjoy the coming and going of the people and admire Art Deco buildings. The nightlife here is spectacular.
South Beach: You will find many restaurants, clubs, nightclubs and shopping centers along this famous beach, not to forget its deep blue water and its white sand. Is the beach to see and to be seen. If you stroll around a bit, you will discover a stunning Art Deco architecture.
Coral Gables: A perfect neighborhood of mansions and manicured gardens worth a visit. Do not miss the chance to swim in the “Venetian Pool”, a natural water pool formed by coral rocks in 1923.
Little Havana: one of the most popular neighborhoods in Miami recreates the Cuban lifestyle. On Eighth Street, you can enjoy a coffee or cool off with a cane juice accompanied by a crowd of old dissidents of the Castro Regime.
Little Haiti: Teleport yourself to Haiti with its aromas and flavours. And try to visit the Mass in the church of Notre Dame, full of rhythms and colors.
Everglades National Park: Declared Heritage Site, Biosphere Reserve and Wetland of International Interest by the UNESCO. You can admire the wildlife of this vast marshland aboard a hovercraft. Beware of crocodiles!
Conclusion
Miami is the place to go, if you want to combine your English course with beach, sun and lots of nightlife!
English Course in Miami has everything you need
We also recomend English Course in London
