South Florida, Geographic region in Florida, US.
South Florida is a region in the southernmost part of the state, stretching along the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico and including the metropolitan areas of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The landscape shifts between densely built coastal strips with high-rises and beaches, flat inland areas with wetlands, and the Everglades, a vast swamp with mangroves and waterways.
The opening of this region accelerated from the 1890s when Henry Flagler built his railroad line to Miami, providing access to the southern end of the peninsula. After World War I, a building boom fueled by land speculation pushed canals and roads through wetlands, allowing coastal cities to expand rapidly.
The area is known for its Latin American influence, especially through Cuban, Haitian and Puerto Rican immigrants who have created neighborhoods with their own markets, music styles and restaurants. In many districts you hear Spanish every day and find eateries serving Caribbean dishes, while other communities from the Caribbean and South America carry on their festivals and religious celebrations throughout the year.
Visitors can explore the region year-round but should expect frequent afternoon thunderstorms and occasional hurricanes between June and November. Winters are warm and dry, while summer months are hot and humid, which should be considered when planning outdoor activities.
The region hosts the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live in the same ecosystem, especially in the southern Everglades and around river mouths. This coexistence of two species that typically occur on separate continents arises from the mix of salt and fresh water in the shallow coastal waters.
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