But how did Miami get to be such a major port?

Well, since you know all about what makes a port successful, you can probably easily find out why.

First, we know a port must have access to good transportation on land or sea or both to succeed. Does Miami? The answer to this first question is 'yes.' Miami is located in southern Florida on the Miami River, which empties into Biscayne Bay, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. Sea travel to Miami is very convenient. Since 1896, Miami has also had convenient land transportation -- a railroad -- connecting it to the rest of the country. In 1896, entrepreneur Henry Flagler extended the East Coast Railroad from St. Augustine, Florida to Miami.

Second, we know that a port must have access to goods to trade. Does Miami? The answer to this question is also 'yes.' Miami first won its rail connection with the rest of the U.S. when a deep freeze one winter destroyed much of Florida's citrus crop. Miami was so far south its oranges were still in good shape. Since that time, Miami has traded its products with the rest of the world. In addition, Miami has become a major passenger port, with nearly 3.5 million people using the Port of Miami in 2001 to go on sea cruises.

Because we know so much about the history of ports by now, we might ask a third question about Miami. Was it settled by European traders in the 1500s or 1600s as they explored the world in search of goods to trade? For those of you who have studied U.S. history, you know the answer to this question is 'yes' as well. Spanish settlers built a mission at the mouth of the Miami River in 1567 and had a fort there by 1743. Control of Miami went back and forth between the Spanish and British over the next century, as territories were exchanged following wars.

Many other port cities around the world that were colonized by European traders in the 1500s and 1600s eventually won their independence. As you may know, Florida won its independence in 1821, when it was made part of the United States.

Now that you know a little more about Miami, see if you can tackle these study questions:

1. Learn more about a British or Spanish colony in North America. When and where did they settle? What did they trade? Write a one-page paper about what you learn.

2. Where are other major ports in the United States? You can get hints in the Trade Topic archives on the Boomerang Box Web site or use an encyclopedia or atlas. Choose one major port and write a one-page paper about it.

Check out past Trade Topics entries!