Miami, Florida

Miami, Florida, a city rich in maritime history, is currently in the forefront in national security and maritime safety measures. The focus of the U.S. Coast Guard, which is increasing maritime surveillance and maritime law enforcement patrols in the Miami area, is illegal immigration, a matter of both national security and maritime safety. The Coast guard relies on Miami commercial and recreational mariners to report any suspicious vessels or activity.

Nicknamed the “Magic City,” Miami, FL is the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida. This bustling, coastal southeast Florida city sits on the Miami River, between the Florida Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean. Miami's year-round mild weather, sandy beaches and easy ocean access are a magnet for boating enthusiasts, fishermen, divers and water sports-oriented visitors from around the world.

Miami, FL was home to 352,064 people in 2008 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The City of Miami is diverse, with 58 percent of the residents being foreign born. Over 68 percent of the population in Miami has an Hispanic or Latino background and 77 percent of the population speaks a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 90 percent speak Spanish. Miami, FL is honored for its Cuban, Puerto Rican and Haitian culture.

Miami, officially incorporated in 1896, is the only major city in the United States founded by a woman, Julia Tuttle. Tuttle was a citrus grower who convinced Henry Flagler to expand his Florida East Coast Railroad to accommodate the region's crops. Flagler also funded the construction of the Port of Miami.

In 1915, the Miami government authorized plans for a public terminal, turning basin, and channel deepening project, and the Port of Miami became a primary hub for shipping to South Florida. The U.S. Navy temporarily took control of port operations during WWII.

During World War II, Miami played an important role in the battle against German submarines, due to the city's strategic location on the southern coast of Florida. On March 26, 1942, the Submarine Chaser Trainer Center (SCTC) opened in Miami. By the end of 1943, the Navy had 10,000 officers and 37,000 enlisted men fighting German U-boats. Civilians aided in the defense of Miami and Southeastern Florida by participating in Coast Guard Auxiliary, searching for both submarines and survivors from torpedoed ships.

The City of Miami, Florida is a center of commerce and finance boasting many corporate headquarters, including the headquarters of Latin American operations for more than 1,400 multinational corporations such as Disney, Cisco, Sony, Visa International, Oracle, Exxon and Kraft Foods. Tourism is also an major industry in Miami, drawing more than 12 million visitors annually, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Port of Miami is known as the "Cruise Capital of the World," and the "Cargo Gateway of the Americas." In 2008, the port served 4,137,531 passengers, a 9.2 percent increase from 2007. Major cruise lines departing from the Port Of Miami include Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Additionally, Miami is one of the nation's busiest cargo ports, importing 7,429,963 tons of cargo in 2008. The Port of Miami employs state-of-the-art security and inspection technology to keep the cargo moving securely and rapidly. Partners in protecting the port include U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Miami is a mecca for boating enthusiasts. The waters surrounding Miami are dotted with watercraft of every shape, size and design. Speedboats, sailboats, small motorboats, deep-sea trawlers and luxury yachts share the water.

There are numerous other land and air-based transportation options for residents and visitors to Miami, Florida. The Miami International Airport provides air transportation to and from the city. Public transportation in Miami is operated by Miami-Dade Transit via its Metrorail, Metromover, and Metrobus systems. Miami is also served by four interstate highways: I-75, I-95, I-195 and I-395.

Miami is one of the world's most popular vacation destinations. Its world-renowned beaches, unrivaled nightlife, unique culinary delights, and Latin flavor guarantee that Miami will continue to grow “magically.”