Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NORTHERN CAPITAL OF THE LATIN WORLD
Miami may technically be part of the USA, but it's widely touted as the 'capital of the
Americas' and the 'center of the New World.' That's a coup when it comes to marketing
Miami to the rest of the world, and especially to the USA, where Latinos are now the
largest minority. Miami's pan-Latin mixture makes it more ethnically diverse than any Lat-
in American city. At the turn of the 21st century, the western suburbs of Hialeah Gardens
and Hialeah were numbers one and two respectively on the list of US areas where Span-
ish is spoken as a first language (over 90% of the population).
How did this happen? Many of Miami's Latinos arrived in this geographically convenient
city as political refugees - Cubans fleeing Castro from around the '60s, Venezuelans flee-
ing President Hugo Chávez (or his predecessors), Brazilians and Argentines running from
economic woes, Mexicans and Guatemalans arriving to find work. And gringos, long fas-
cinated with Latin American flavors, can now visit Miami to get a taste of the pan-Latin
stew without having to leave the country.
This has all led to the growth of Latin American businesses in Miami, which has boos-
ted the local economy. Miami is the US headquarters of many Latin companies, including
Lan Chile, a Chilean airline; Televisa, a Mexican TV conglomerate; and Embraer, a Brazili-
an aircraft manufacturer. Miami is also home to Telemundo, one of the biggest Spanish-
language broadcasters in the US, as well as MTV Networks Latin America and the Latin
branch of the Universal Music Group. Miami is the host city of the annual Billboard Latin
Music Conference & Awards.
Cubans have a strong influence on local and international politics in Miami. Conservat-
ive exile groups have often been characterized as extreme, many refusing to visit Cuba
while the Castro family remains in power. A newer generation, however - often referred to
as the 'YUCAs' (Young Urban Cuban Americans) - are more willing to see both sides of is-
sues in Cuba.
While many of the subtleties may escape you as a visitor, one thing is obvious: the
Latino influence, which you can experience by seeking it out or waiting for it to fall in your
lap. Whether you're dining out, listening to live music, overhearing Spanish conversations,
visiting Little Havana or Little Buenos Aires, or simply sipping a chilled mojitoat the edge
of your hotel pool, the Latin American energy is palpable, beautiful and everywhere you
go.
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