Miami

Miami (pronounced /maɪˈæmi/ or /maɪˈæmə/) is a major coastal city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. Miami is the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida. With an estimated population of 424,662 in 2007, Miami is the largest city within the Miami metropolitan area, which is the seventh-largest metro area in the United States with over 5.4 million residents. The Miami Urbanized Area (as defined by the Census Bureau) was the fifth most populous urbanized area in the U.S. in the 2000 census with a population of 4,919,036.

“Miami is home to people and cultures from throughout our hemisphere, making our diverse city unique not only in the Americas, but all over the world. Miami Carnival will continue to add and increase the cultural diversity that we enjoy here in Miami. This event has been designed to reflect our cultural heritage and incorporate the traditionally popular Caribbean entertainers. Because of its appeal to the entire Caribbean community, there are more Caribbean entertainers at Miami Carnival than at any other Carnival including Trinidad & Tobago-Caribbean Carnival’s “Mecca” - Miami Mayor Many Diaz

The United Nations estimated that in 2007, Miami had become the fourth largest urbanized area in the United States, behind New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Miami is recognized as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts and international trade. The city is home to many company headquarters, banks, and television studios. It is an international center for popular entertainment in television, music, fashion, film, and the performing arts. The city's Port of Miami is known for accommodating the largest volume of cruise ships in the world and is home to many cruise line headquarters. Miami is also home to the largest concentration of international banks in the United States. Since 2001, Miami has been undergoing a large building boom with more than 50 skyscrapers rising over 400 feet (122 m) built or currently under construction in the city. Miami's skyline is ranked third most impressive in the U.S., behind New York City and Chicago, and 18th in the world according to the Almanac of Architecture and Design. Its growth has made it the ninth tallest skyline in the United States and 25th tallest in the world. The city currently has the eight tallest (as well as thirteen of the fourteen tallest) skyscrapers in the state of Florida, with the tallest being the 789-foot (240 m) Four Seasons Hotel & Tower. In 2008, Miami was ranked as "America's Cleanest City" according to Forbes Magazine for its year-round good air quality, vast green spaces, clean drinking water, clean streets and city-wide recycling programs. In 2008, Miami was also ranked the 3rd-richest city in the United States and the world's 22nd-richest city in a UBS study.

Miami hosts a Mardi Gras celebration. The Miami celebration is on the Friday before Shrove Tuesday. It is called the Majic City Carnival and is presented by the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation. 2008 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Mardi Gras in Miami. The celebration is held at the Mahi shrine. There they have junkanoos, beads, masks, and music. This event is very popular among the African-American population in North Dade County.

“Miami is home to people and cultures from throughout our hemisphere, making our diverse city unique not only in the Americas, but all over the world. Miami Carnival will continue to add and increase the cultural diversity that we enjoy here in Miami. This event has been designed to reflect our cultural heritage and incorporate the traditionally popular Caribbean entertainers. Because of its appeal to the entire Caribbean community, there are more Caribbean entertainers at Miami Carnival than at any other Carnival including Trinidad & Tobago-Caribbean Carnival’s “Mecca” - Miami Mayor Many Diaz

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