United States

How did the city of Miami get its name?



4.7/5 - (4 votes)

The area of South Florida that later developed into the city of Miami was settled over four thousand years ago by native tribes, the most prominent among which were the Calusa tribe. When the first Europeans arrived here in 1513 (led by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon), the Calusa had already built well-established settlements along the Miami River, which the natives called “Mayaimi” (roughly translated into Big Water). The European settlers soon adopted the native name when the city emerged out of the early settlements.
There are other theories about the origin of Miami’s name, though… Some say that the city was named after a Native American tribe that inhabited the region. It is this tribe that was called Mayaimi and not the river, say supporters of this theory. Others believe that Lake Okeechobee was called Mayaimi by the Native Americans in the region.

The city of Miami is also referred to by nicknames such as the Magic City, Capital of Latin America, and the Gateway to the Americas.

Related Maps:

Miami Map
Florida Map
US Capital and Major Cities
Cities in USA
Major Cities on North America
Share
Published by
adminanswers

Recent Posts

What is the Capital of Madagascar?

The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, off the…

4 months ago

What Countries use the Euro?

The Euro is the official currency of the European Union. It is, however, not incumbent…

4 months ago

How Many Countries are there in the World?

There are many countries or regions that are partially recognized by the UN, have disputes…

4 months ago

When Did Alaska Became a State?

The Alaska Statehood Act was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958,…

4 months ago

Where is Persia?

The name Persia may, however, only be used to refer to Iran in some contexts.…

4 months ago

How Many Islands in Hawaii?

Hawaii is an Island State in the US. It is one of the 50 states…

4 months ago