Miami Gardens is a city in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, positioned midway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. With a population of roughly 114,000, it is the county's third-largest city after Miami and Hialeah, and it is the largest predominantly African-American municipality in Florida, with a substantial Caribbean population that shapes its culture. The city is relatively young. Incorporated on May 13, 2003, it was formed from a collection of established communities including Carol City, Norland, Scott Lake, and Andover, following years of advocacy by residents seeking self-determination. Its best-known landmark, Hard Rock Stadium, opened in 1987 as Joe Robbie Stadium and has been home to the Miami Dolphins ever since, anchoring the city's identity as a regional sports and entertainment destination. Miami Gardens is also a cultural hub. The stadium hosts major concerts and international sporting events, and the annual Jazz in the Gardens festival draws large audiences for jazz, R&B, and hip-hop performances. The city's Caribbean and Latin influences are visible in its dining, community life, and civic events, and its incorporation brought new investment to commercial corridors across the city. The city's location is among its strongest assets. Interstate 95, the Palmetto Expressway (State Road 826), and the Florida Turnpike all pass through or near the city, placing downtown Miami roughly 15 miles to the south and Fort Lauderdale a similar distance north. Public education is provided by Miami-Dade County Public Schools, one of the nation's largest districts. Miami Gardens offers established single-family neighborhoods, strong community identity, and unmatched expressway access within South Florida, appealing to households seeking a culturally rich, centrally located base in the metro.