1996 marked Miami's one hundredth birthday. Miami, the eleventh largest U.S. metropolitan area, is the only American city conceived by a woman. In 1891, Julia Tuttle came from Cleveland and bought several hundred acres on the Miami River. She eventually persuaded Henry Flagler to extend his Florida East Coast Railway to Miami. Flagler rolled his famous railroad into Miami by the end of the 1800's. During the 1920's, wealthy visitors flocked to the area. Several new communities were started, including Hialeah, Opa Locka and Coral Gables. The spirit behind this energetic development fit the Roaring Twenties. South Florida was becoming the nation's winter playground. But over-speculation and a 1926 hurricane that killed more than 100 people halted growth. Miami experienced its own brief depression period before the stock market crash of 1929. While the Great Depression swept the country, Miami emerged with renewed determination. Much of the 1930's Art Deco architecture in the Miami area reflected America's desire to escape the burdens of the times. Between the turn of the century and today, Miami's population grew from a scant 1,681 residents to a sophisticated and dynamic metropolis, home to 365,500 people. They represent an incredible diversity of cultural traditions and ethnic heritage. The most monumental boost came during the 1960's when 260,000 Cuban refugees arrived seeking freedom. They spurred economic growth, soon owning more than one-third of the local businesses. And they changed the flavor of Miami forever.

Following are some links about the City of Miami, Florida

City of Miami FL - Official site of the City of Miami, FL. Miami City Web - Another "official" City of Miami Web Site. The Miami Herald - Homepage of the Miami newspaper. Miami Weather - Local weather forecast from TV Channel 7. Miami Hotels and Resorts - List and Info on several hotels in the Miami area. Miami Attractions - Check out all you can do while in Miami. Miami Tourist Bureau - Lots of information about Miami and the Beaches. Cafe Internet - First Internet Cafe in the Miami Area. A Virtual Tour of Miami - Virtual tour of Miami and plenty of info. Florida Info Net - Business links of Miami, Florida.

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