|
|
 
Miami is
a major coastal city in southeastern Florida, in the United States. 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. The United
Nations estimated that in 2007, Miami had become the fourth largest
urbanized area in the United States.
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. Of course nothing in the World of Darkness is as
pristine as people would like to think. Underneath the city's sparkling
surface lies a cold heart of corruption. Gangs are a constant problem,
fighting amongst each other for territory and innocents and villains
alike caught up in the crossfire. A city of beauty, danger and
mysteries just waiting to be discovered by motivated citizens.
A vibrant Hispanic culture permeates everything in Little Havana, Miami —
colorful murals, monuments to heroes past and present, elderly men
playing dominoes as they discuss politics, and cigar rollers deeply at
work amidst Little Havana’s ever-present aroma of Cuban coffee. These
scenes of daily Little Havana, Miami life play out amidst a backdrop of
Little Havana’s pulsating music, vibrant storefronts, unique art
galleries and quaint restaurants. These
scenes of daily Little Havana, Miami life play out amidst a backdrop of
Little Havana’s pulsating music, vibrant storefronts, unique art
galleries and quaint restaurants.
Of course mixed in the
flowery
description of the area lies the heart of many Haitian, Cuban and other
Latino gangs. There are rumors of strange magics, voodoo and things far
darker that most would do best to steer clear from.
In both daytime and at nightfall,
the South Beach section of Miami Beach is a major entertainment destination
with hundreds of nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques and hotels.
The area is popular with both American and international tourists (mainly from Europe, Latin America, Canada, Israel, the Caribbean and with the United States), with some having
permanent or second homes. The large number of European/Brazilian
tourists also explains their influence on South Beach's lax and overall
tolerance of the female monokini, aka topless sunbathing, despite it being a public beach. Literally hundreds of nightclubs and
restaurants litter the area around Ocean Drive that runs parallel to the
ocean as it's name implies. The Royal Palm Oceanfront Resort can be
found here as well.
Coconut Grove & Coral Way
The southern side of Miami
includes Coral Way, The Roads and Coconut Grove. Coral Way is a historic
residential neighborhood built in 1922 connecting Downtown with Coral
Gables, and is home to many old homes and tree-lined streets. Coconut
Grove was established in 1825 and is the location of Miami's City Hall
in Dinner Key, the Coconut Grove Playhouse, CocoWalk, many nightclubs,
bars, restaurants and bohemian shops, and as such, is very popular with
local college students. It is a historic neighborhood with many parks
and gardens such as Villa Vizcaya, The Kampong, The Barnacle Historic
State Park, and home of the Coconut Grove Convention Center, many of the
country's most prestigious private schools, and numerous historic homes
and estates. |
