Atlanta vs. Miami
NPR had an excellent story this morning on Atlanta vying with Miami to be the “gateway to Latin America.” When the audio is up (at 10), check it out.
Atlanta wants to unseat Miami as the gateway to Latin America. Politicians from both cities want the economic boost of growing trade with the region. While Miami promotes its longstanding ties to Latin America, Atlanta is touting its vast airport, major seaports and geographic location
Where am I..?
Why not the Gateway to Asia, or the Gateway to Madagascar? This seems like a pipe dream if ever I’ve seen one. Atlanta is about as Hispanic as the Hamptons.
Major seaports? That’s an advantage we have over Miami?
Yes, major seaports. If you listen to the piece they explain that Georgia’s two major seaports (plus Atlanta’s major airport) make Atlanta a great place for being able to get products to customers the fastest.
Wonder what the Latino community will think of the “Stop the Invasion” sign on I-85. A real welcoming?
Savannah has the largest container port in the southeast, and it’s the fastest-growing in the country. I think our railroad and highway networks are more extensive than south florida’s. (sometimes our focus on roads seems excessive, esp. in light of Thomas’s post on 285 last week) And Hartsfield is the busiest airport in the world.
Point being, once you get people or cargo into Miami, they might not be as easily distributed across the country as they would be if they came in through Atlanta. We’re more convenient for people and goods going both ways. I think that’s what they’re going for when they say “gateway.”
And metro Atlanta does have a pretty substantial Hispanic population. No, we don’t have the percentages that Miami does. But it’s not the Hamptons. (i’m just assuming here, I don’t actually know anything about the hamptons) :) http://www.ghcc.org/Statistics.html
“Wonder what the Latino community will think of the “Stop the Invasion” sign on I-85. A real welcoming?”
That’s not an Iraq war protest? I’m way too ITP-y,I guess.
Ha!
@David – ever heard of Buford Highway? Plenty of Latinos there!
Seaport? That’s some funny shit. However, Atlanta is served by CSX and NS main lines, whereas Miami is only served by FEC.
Smoove, one little strip like Buford Highway in a city this size does not a Hispanic flavor make. That’s like saying I’m Chinese because I use chopsticks now and then.