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In broader, global regions, Florida is part of the Caribbean. But in the U.S., it is part of the South (unless you want to try to group it with Puerto Rico, which is a bit of a stretch).
I think most of us identity South Florida as its own region, Flordia as a whole is the south. It has southern politics, a southern vibe, southern people, etc while South Florida is on its own, in my opinion.
I see what you're saying, but culturally, it does feel like Miami is the central hub of the Caribbean. There is an incredible mix of Caribbean, European, and Latin American culture in Miami that is not replicated anywhere else. Globally, it seems that Miami would identify much more with this region, just as Seattle and Portland are more culturally and economically aligned with Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, and other Pacific Rim cities and areas.
But yes, if you want to limit this discussion to merely a US-based designation/mapping, then I believe Florida is considered its own region. Geographically, it may be part of the south, but culturally it is anything but. Certain parts of Panhandle and northern Florida may have a southern vibe, but the rest of Florida does not. The argument can also be made that the urban South is facing the exact same thing- Cary, NC and Birmingham, AL, for instance, have so many transplants from the NE that it has lost its unique Southern identity.
South Florida is just...different. Although it is the most southern part of the south, there really is not much that is southern about it. I think if you go out to some of the smaller western towns (like around The Redlands) that are not newer suburbs (like Weston) you might get a bit of a southern feeling. The predominate culture is either Latin or Northeastern U.S. I don't think you're going to find a very big population of people who have moved here from, say, Alabama or Mississippi, but you will for sure find a large population who have moved from places like Puerto Rico or Long Island.
Just my opinion as a resident and a transplant from the southern part of the Midwest.
It should be its own state, IMO. South Florida is VERY different from north or even central Florida. Miami is absolutely nothing like Jacksonville. The demographics down here are totally different - much more Latin/Caribbean and politically, South Florida would most likely be a blue state.
South Florida is just...different. Although it is the most southern part of the south, there really is not much that is southern about it. I think if you go out to some of the smaller western towns (like around The Redlands) that are not newer suburbs (like Weston) you might get a bit of a southern feeling. The predominate culture is either Latin or Northeastern U.S. I don't think you're going to find a very big population of people who have moved here from, say, Alabama or Mississippi, but you will for sure find a large population who have moved from places like Puerto Rico or Long Island.
Just my opinion as a resident and a transplant from the southern part of the Midwest.
Because it's not the south. South Florida could indeed be considered a region unto itself - Caribbean in culture, yet part of the United States. Miami probably has more in common with San Juan PR than it does with Jacksonville to the north. There is nothing even remotely "southern" until you get well up into Palm Beach County. Aside from the large Hispanic influx, there are many northeasterners down here and many Europeans. It's really nothing like the rest of Florida.
It should be its own state, IMO. South Florida is VERY different from north or even central Florida. Miami is absolutely nothing like Jacksonville. The demographics down here are totally different - much more Latin/Caribbean and politically, South Florida would most likely be a blue state.
Then I assume you think NYC should be its own state as it's completely different than upstate NY?
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