South Florida is the south-eastern part of the State of Florida, lying along the southern border with Cuba and the northern end of the Intracoastal Waterway. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico makes it one of the world’s largest and most populous areas. It is among the three most frequently referred to “directions” of Florida, the other two being Central Florida and North Florida, which are further east. It also includes the much smaller but densely populated Miami metropolitan region, the Florida Keys, and several other localities in between. Together, south Florida is home to about a quarter of Florida’s population.
Because of its highly urbanized nature, south Florida has a fairly diverse racial and ethnic population, although its biggest population consists of retirees. In terms of political affiliation, Florida votes roughly evenly among the fifty largest counties in the U.S., although there is a large population of mostly Democrats and minority citizens in the south. The political clout of south Florida can be seen in the close race that finished out the presidential election there in 1998. George W. Bush carried southern Florida by a margin of nine percentage points, more than the combined margin of six points that George Bush won in the other parts of Florida.
Like many cities and towns across the U.S., south Florida is home to a diverse racial and ethnic background. Home to a large black community, Fort Lauderdale, is one of the largest black communities in the entire U.S. and is also one of its fastest growing communities. More than half of the black population of south Florida lives in or near Fort Lauderdale. Other notable black communities include Miami Beach, which is home to another large black community and the second largest black community in the state. With such diversity, it is no wonder that Fort Lauderdale has emerged as one of the fastest growing communities in south Florida.
As for the other communities and cities within south Florida, they are equally diverse, as well. With cities like Bradenton Beach, Coconut Grove, Doral, Earhart Beach, Saint Petersburg, Voluspa, Hollywood, and plenty of other smaller communities, there is definitely something for everyone in south Florida, as well as in the rest of the state. There are even several major cities in south Florida that are considered to be along the Gulf of Mexico. These cities include: Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Saint Petersburg, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami Beach, Pearland, and Pensacola.
If learning English is on your agenda, you will be happy to know that there are a number of colleges and universities in south Florida that offer English programs. Many of these colleges offer programs in Spanish as well. These include the University of Miami, the Florida International University, and the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Fort Lauderdale. There are a number of high schools in south Florida that also offer English programs, including theverement High School, Fort Lauderdale Central High School, GVA High School, and the Palm Beach Atlantic High School. The latter two offer a program in Spanish that was created specifically for international students.
If you are interested in studying English as a second language, you may want to consider looking into the University of Miami’s Intercultural Exchange Program. This program offers a variety of activities for students who are interested in learning the language, including an exchange program between Miami and Murcia, Spain. Students will also be able to attend cultural events and classes in both English and Spanish. Students can complete a certificate program in Spanish at the conclusion of their four-year degree if they wish to pursue a degree in the language, which is a requirement for those wanting to teach or work in the south Florida area.
The University of Miami has a campus on the east side of south Florida along the coast. Many tourists fly in daily to the city to see the beautiful scenery, including the Miami Gardens, and the large number of art galleries, restaurants and other forms of entertainment. Those living nearby benefit from the fact that a large number of vacation homes, condos and villas are easily accessible. Those living on the south side of the island actually enjoy warmer weather, more pleasant weather and a more relaxed lifestyle. Those living on the west side, however, are experiencing a more humid and rainy climate.
If you are considering traveling to south Florida or moving to south Florida, consider learning the proper way to speak, read and write in English. By doing so, not only will you have a greater chance of landing employment in the Miami area but you will also become a better neighbor and part of the community. There are schools and courses available at the university that can help you learn the basics of how to communicate in English. You will learn the correct grammar, sentence structure and the ins and outs of the English language. Once you learn the basic language skills in English, you will be well prepared to start interacting with the Miami community and making friends.