Lots of cities claim to be the world capital of something or other. Las Vegas is the world capital of gambling. Nashville, the world capital of country music. New York can be called the world capital of finance, media, and culture.
But what about Miami? Well, the most common answer is "world capital of Latin America." Fair and true enough, but that's not all we've been called "the world capital of." We trolled Google for some more answers by entering that starting phrase and seeing what others have declared us, and, well, most of the other choices aren't quite so flattering.
Rum
"The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival, an event that will make this city the world capital of rum with more than 200 brands that are recognized and a program that includes tastings and seminars." - KCBA
Electronic Dance Music
"Miami as it becomes the world capitol [sic] for electronic dance music." - MixJunkies.com
Nouveau-ness
"When planning their family vacation this couple might rank, of all places, Miami at the top of their list, failing to recognize the town was considered possibly the world capital of nouveau-ness." - Rich: The Rise and Fall of American Wealth Culture, Lawrence R. Samuel
Violent Crime
"Almost in spite of its reputation as a world capital of violent crime, drug trading, and ethnic conflict, southern Florida remains a major tourist destination for North and South Americans as well as increasing numbers of Europeans and Asians" - the LA Times
Douchebags
"Superficial, materialistic, self-serving, rude, uncaring douchebags plus fun that revolves around drugs, alcohol, and sex = Douchebag Capital of the World" - CityData.com Message Board
Artisan Cheese
"Miami will be the world capital of Artisan Cheese in March 2011." - Bloomberg
Cruises
"Cruise Capital of the World" - Miami-Dade County official website
Medicare Corruption
"Miami is the capital of Medicare corruption, yet again, and has become the focus of federal efforts to reduce fraud." - JDSupra.com
Food and Drink
"Miami Transforms Self Into World Capital of Good Food and Drink" - the Latin American Herald-Tribune
F'n Hot Girls
"Miami is the world's capital of fucking hot girls." - PornHub comment [NSFW]
Latin Music
"Based out of Miami, the world's capital of Latin music, the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame began as a dream." - LatinSonghall.com
Swank
"Miami reigned during these two decades as a showcase for the affluent society -- a world capital of swank." - Humanities
Stop and Frisk
"If you're a black man driving through Florida, steer clear of Miami Gardens. Lawyers call it the stop-and-frisk capital of America." - RealClearPolitics.com
Late-Night Fun
"South Beach is synonymous with nightlife. This international capital of late-night fun is among the ranks of only a few other cities in the world." - Miami and the Beaches official tourism site
Hedonism
"The world's capital of hedonism now has its own museum dedicated to erotic pleasures." - TimeOut.com
Conspicuous Consumption
"Ocean Drive, perhaps the world capital of conspicuous consumption..." - Hopper.com
Gay Circuit Parties
Miami Beach may very well be the world capital of gay circuit parties, and the grand dame of all these events is Miami White Party Week." - GayTravel.About.com.
Small Dogs
"Small dog capital of the world" - TripAdvisor.com
Vanity
"The world capital of vanity..." - Well, uh, Riptide, via Beyoncé
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