Situated on the shore of Biscayne Bay, on the eastern fringes of the Everglades, Miami is the second largest city in Florida (next to Jacksonville) and the seat of Miami-Dade County. Miami is known for its international flair, a citywide culture influenced by Latin America and the Caribbean. The city's melting pot heritage is evident: most of the locals are at least bilingual, and many of the signs and public announcements are posted in English, Spanish, and Creole. Miami's status as an international cultural and financial center has earned it the nickname "Gateway of the Americas."

The city itself is a gleaming metropolis of modern skyscrapers and palm-lined boulevards. The western edge of the city actually extends into the swamps of the Everglades, resulting in the occasional wayward alligator wandering into a residential area. Biscayne Bay divides Miami from Miami Beach (technically a separate city, though few people bother to make the distinction anymore). The Miami River (named for the Native American word Mayaimi, meaning "big water") flows through downtown Miami, from the Everglades to the causeways of Biscayne Bay.