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Areas of Miami - Miami Hotels .com

Areas of Miami

Miami-Dade County, better known as the Greater Miami area, encompasses approximately 35 different municipalities, the more prominent ones being the cities of Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Bal Harbour, Key Biscayne, Surfside and Sunny Isles Beach.

Most of the area's population lives on the eastern portion of the county, while Everglades National Park occupies the western third of the county. Actually, Miami is the only city in the United States to border two national parks. Biscayne National Park, located east right off the mainland is home to Biscayne Bay and a widespread mangrove forest.

If there is anything to remember is that Miami is a city of contradictions. It is metropolitan yet also untouched; it is a haven for leisurely tourists but also a financial and economic powerhouse; it's exotic and foreign yet also very American.

If visiting Miami for fun and relaxation, you are probably looking to stay in Miami Beach particularly South Beach. Twenty-three blocks of sun, sand and fun, during the day visitors can walk around Ocean Drive and the beach in their dare-not-go-there swimwear and at night change into their trendiest outfits for some opulent dining and one-of-a-kind nightlife.

Most cruise and business travelers opt to stay in the Downtown or Brickell areas because of their close proximity to the Port of Miami and the city's financial district. Structures of glass and steel rise up from the ground to form Miami's ever-changing skyline and create the city's iconic view.

Probably the city's best kept secrets are the areas of Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. South of Miami Beach, right off the mainland is Key Biscayne which contains some of the area's most pristine beaches. Coconut Grove is a former bohemian community that sits at the water's edge and where streets lined with old Miami mansions and plenty of sidewalk cafes. Coral Gables is a suburb located just south of the city that embraces Mediterranean architecture and smart urban planning. Haute boutiques, great dining and Old World hotels can be found here.