Home to 180,000 people and attracting millions of tourists each year, Fort Lauderdale is one of the major cities of the South Florida metropolitan area. It is located about 23 miles north of Miami in Broward County. Known as the "Venice of America" because of its extensive system of waterways, the city exemplifies South Florida's natural beauty and high quality of life. The beautiful Fort Lauderdale beach spans 7 miles along the sparkling Atlantic coast. The perfect setting for boating, surfing, diving, or any water sport imaginable, this famous beach is a popular resort destination and boasts over 3000 hours of sunshine each year. In addition to ocean breezes and natural beauty, Fort Lauderdale is a thriving center of arts, culture, and entertainment. World-famous Las Olas Boulevard is the place to go for fine dining, high fashion boutiques, and sophisticated nightclubs. The picturesque Riverwalk winds its way alongside the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, numerous restaurants and shops, and museums of every kind including art, history and science.