As the southernmost part of an island that separates the Atlantic Ocean with Biscayne Bay, South Beach, a neighborhood in Miami, Florida, features all of the qualities that make Miami such an appealing city. It has plenty of characteristics that make it its own place as well.

South Beach was originally farmland until it was purchased in 1870 by Henry and Charles Lum for coconut farming. When the brothers left the area in 1886, they ceded the land to John Collins, who would continue their efforts, expanding the amount of land on their parcel. In 1912, Miami businessmen purchased 400 acres of the land with hopes to build single family residences.

Investments by a wealthy businessman allowed Collins to create a bridge between Miami and Miami Beach. This marked the beginning of the area’s development, which continued during the land boom in the 1920s and the architectural revolution of the 1930s. The area became a popular destination for retired people in the 1970s, and then base of operations for the “cocaine cowboys”, drug dealers dabbling in illicit activities. While the area had long been considered a poor area with a lot of crime, attention from the media dispelled the image, and it is now considered one of the most wealthy and commercial areas on the beach.

Today, the area is a major entertainment district, containing many famous nightclubs, restaurants, and boutique hotels, all of which are geared toward the more wealthy tourists. The nightlife can be especially difficult to break into for non-locals and those who do not plan ahead, because it tends to be expensive and exclusive.

One can usually find something to do, though, given the large number of clubs and restaurants spread throughout the city. A large amount of European tourism accounts for a unique multiculturalism; German is the third most spoken language, behind English and Spanish. The area is also uniquely popular for fashion shoots, with more than 1500 models living in the area.

Tags: Florida, Miami, South Beach