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Situated on 31 square miles in southwestern Broward County, Miramar is sandwiched between two major cities, with Ft. Lauderdale 14 miles to the north and Miami 20 miles to the south. With a name meaning 'Look at the Sea' in Spanish, Miramar was historically an exclusive suburb of Havana in pre-Castro Cuba. Today, it boasts the largest commerce park in the region.
Miramar is known as a family-oriented community with something for everyone. With a population of about 122,000, Miramar is considered a white-collar city with an ethnically diverse base. There are eight institutes of higher learning, including Broward College, Nova Southeastern University and Ana G. Mendez University. Because of its central location, it has become a preferred locale for some major corporations and Fortune 500 companies, including telecommunications giant Alcatel-Lucent.
Miramar is less than 30 minutes away from major airports and seaports. Most residents find owning a car useful, with the Florida Turnpike and I-75 in Miramar, and I-95 and the Sawgrass Expressway just minutes away. For those without a personal vehicle, the Miramar Community Bus has four routes that serve the area. Nearby municipalities include Hollywood, Sunrise, Plantation and Pembroke Pines. You'll also find the home of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers nearby as well as a training camp for the National Football League's Miami Dolphins.
The area has 22 neighborhood parks and five community parks where residents can play basketball, tennis and racquetball, among other sports. The Miramar Regional Park is the city's largest, encompassing 173 acres. The Miramar Civic Center is home to annual events like September's Caribe Fest and October's Halloween Masquerade Dance. Broward County is rich in attractions such as the Museum of Discovery and Science, and features interesting historical sites such as the Stranahan House, Broward's first trading post. The Miramar Cultural Arts Center offers a venue for artists, teachers and students to perform, rehearse and exhibit.
