BELLE GLADE

city, Palm Beach county, southeastern Florida, U.S. It originated as the Hillsborough Canal Settlement on the southeast shores of Lake Okeechobee and in 1921 was renamed Belle Glade (from "Belle of the Glades"), selected from an informal poll. A hurricane (1928) caused widespread damage, but the community was rebuilt and incorporated as a town in the same year. It developed as a truck-farming centre, noted for winter vegetables grown on the surrounding rich Everglades muckland, which also supports citrus, sugarcane, and other tropical crops. Sugar processing is significant and a beef cattle industry has been established. Belle Glade became a city by referendum (1945). The Everglades Experiment Station is 3 mi (5 km) east. Pop. (1990) 16,177.