Miami Beach is located east of the city of Miami on a narrow strip of land along the coast. Miami was founded in 1896 on Biscayne Bay in Southern Florida, and it grew fast during the 20th century into one of the most fashionable resort areas in the USA. After the Cuban revolution in 1959, thousands of Cuban refugees settled in the city, turning it into a major center of Hispanic culture. Miami Beach is primarily a tourist destination, famous for its sandy beaches, trendy hotels, restaurants and bars.