Florida - Gold Coast around Miami Attractions

The name actually refers to the gold-laden Spanish ships that sometimes wrecked off shore. However, it could also be for the long stretches of gold sand found here.

Prior to Spanish exploration, the area was home to Tequesta Indians, who fished along the coast and hunted within the everglades, which lie to the west.

The Spanish were unable to establish a permanent settlement here and the area went mostly unnoticed until the 1890's when Henry Flagler extended his East Coast Railroad south from St Augustine, first to Palm Beach, then to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and the Keys.

Part of the region's popularity lies in its consistently warm temperatures. It affects the economy in several ways, both for the citrus industry and well-established tourist business.

The downtown area of Fort Lauderdale is home to many of the city's most popular attractions including the Museum of Discovery and Science, the Museum of Art and Bonnet House. Some of which are found on the banks of the New River which flows through the heart of Fort Lauderdale.

Miami's downtown reflects the cosmopolitan nature and commercial importance of the city. The main thoroughfares are Flagler Street which is the North-South dividing line and Miami Avenue that splits the city from East to West.