Incorporated in 1915, the city of Miami Beach is a barrier island located between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The economic boom of the 1920’s was the start of development for this area and the construction of small hotels helped bring this area out of the depression as people flocked here for vacation.

Many servicemen from WWII trained in Miami Beach. After the war, they decided to settle here permanently upon returning to the US, greatly increasing the population. In 1959 when Fidel Castro came to power the population again experienced a huge shift. Half a million Cubans flooded the area and settled in Miami Beach adding to the population again and undergoing a huge cultural transformation.

Miami Beach is famous for its Art Deco Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Hundreds of hotels, homes, and apartments constructed in first half of the 1900s separate Miami Beach aesthetically in addition to culturally, located on Ocean Drive. This famous area is also known as South Beach or “SoBe,” representing the southernmost part of Miami Beach.

South Beach is popular for Lincoln Road, a strip of shops and galleries. South Beach is a hot spot for many who want to rollerblade, bike and enjoy outdoor dining. Close by nightlife thrives with clubs and bars, many of which are visited by celebrities from all over the world.

Culturally, Miami Beach is individual to any other city. There is a huge Orthodox Jewish and LGBT community. The city is home to Art Basel Miami Beach, the New World Symphony, Miami City Ballet, and Miami Beach Festival of the Arts.

Miami Beach prospers from the rich commercial success it has experienced from South Beach, but North Beach is also emerging as place to live and visit. Both areas have undergone dramatic changes from the original crime-ridden neighborhoods they once were. Today Miami Beach is one of the leading beach resort cities in the United States.