Miami Dade Public Information

Miami-Dade County was founded on January 18, 1836. With a total area of 2,431 square miles (1,946 of which are on land), it is the second-largest county in the state of Florida in terms of size. It is also Florida's most populous county, with a population of over 2 million (most of whom reside in the city of Miami). However, besides Miami there are 34 other incorporated cities within Miami-Dade County. As of 2007, Miami-Dade also ranked as the eighth most-populous county in the United States.



Miami-Dade County borders Broward County to the north, Collier County to the northwest, and Monroe County to the south and west. It's eastern edge is the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

Miami-Dade has experienced consistent growth ever since the Seminole Wars of the early-19th century. This growth was most rapid during the mid-20th century, following the 1896 founding of the city of Miami. Due to Miami-Dade's proximity to the Caribbean, especially Cuba, is has a large Hispanic population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hispanic population of Miami-Dade in 2006 accounted for over 60 percent of all residents. Whites accounted for just 18 percent, with 20 percent black and the remaining 2 percent Asian or other races. Despite the large Hispanic population, the 60 percent measured in 2006 actually represented a slight drop over earlier census estimates. Miami is among the most cosmopolitan cities in the region. A number of languages, most notably Spanish, are spoken there, with some measures placing the number of native Spanish speakers larger than the number of native English speakers county-wide.

Residents of Miami-Dade County elect an executive mayor who serves a four-year term and manages the county along with the Board of County Commissioners. Board members are elected by each of Miami-Dade's 13 districts. Miami-Dade also includes the Miami-Dade Police Department (which exists in place of a traditional county sheriff's office), the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, and the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department (MDWASD). The largest airport in the area is Miami International Airport.



Miami-Dade is also the fourth-largest public school district in the United States. The county is also home to several notable colleges and universities, including Florida International University, the University of Miami, and the public Miami-Dade College.

The western portion of Miami-Dade County includes part of the Everglades National Park. To the east, the county includes Biscayne Bay. Biscayne National Park includes not only the bay itself but also forest land along the coast. It is a major destination for nature lovers and scuba divers. The park also includes Elliott Key, the first of the famous Florida Keys. Much of the unincorporated area in Miami-Dade County is rural and undeveloped.



Miami-Dade is also home to numerous museums and public institutions. These include the Miami Science Museum, the Miami Art Museum, Coral Gables' Cuban Museum of Arts and Culture, and the Miami MetroZoo.

Miami-Dade County is named for Francis Langhorne Dade, a major in the American infantry during the 19th century. Dade was involved in the Seminole Wars, which established Florida as part of the United States.



Today several major sports teams make their home in Miami-Dade. Land Shark Stadium, located in suburban Miami Gardens, hosts the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, and baseball's Florida Marlins. Opened in 1937, the Miami Orange Bowl was another major sports venue before it was closed and demolished in 2008.



International fast-food giant Burger King has its corporate headquarters in Miami-Dade County as well.