About Key West

Key West is both an island and a city in the state of Florida in the United States of America. Key West the island is located farthest south of all the Florida Keys. This is a chain of small islands off the tip of the Florida peninsula. Key West the city covers Key West the island as well as all or part of several other islands. Both are well known vacation spots that are famous for their unique identity and contributions to popular culture.

Geography

The island of Key West is considered the southernmost point in the continental United States. It is also at the very end of the Florida Keys, 129 miles southwest of Miami. The island of Key West covers 7.4 square miles. Most of it is just a few feet above sea level. The city of Key West includes the island of Key West, Sunset Key, Fleming Key, Sigsbee Park and part of Stock Island. The city of Key West is in Monroe County, Florida.

People

A 2006 estimate of the population of the city of Key West was 23,262 people. This is an 8.6 percent decline from the year 2000. Several reasons are sited for this population decrease, including the high cost of living, low wages and the risk of hurricanes. Key West is a major tourist destination. During peak times like spring break, the population can double.

History

Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon landed on Key West in 1513 and found it inhabited by the Calusa tribe. Over the next 250 years, the Calusa tribe in Florida would be wiped out by European expansionism, disease and relocation of the Calusa to Cuba. The Spanish established a settlement on Key West, primarily as a fishing village with a small military presence. They called the island Cayo Hueso which means Key West in Spanish. The British controlled Key West from 1763 until 1783, but later returned it to Spanish rule. In 1822, Captain Matthew C. Perry claimed Key West for the United States. Alabama businessman John W. Simonton bought Key West the year before for $2,000 and developed it with his partners. Key West remained a fishing, salt harvesting and shipwreck salvaging port until 1912 when the Overseas Railway Extension connected it to the Florida mainland.

Cultural Significance

Key West was made famous by the writings of Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. Hemingway wrote some of his most brilliant works while living on Key West, including "A Farewell to Arms," "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "The Snows of Kilimanjaro." Williams wrote "A Streetcar Named Desire" while living there. Key West is a popular vacation spot. Many college students spend their spring breaks there. It also has an established gay community that sponsors several events around the island throughout the year.

Conch Republic

Key West is often jokingly referred to as the Conch Republic. A "conch" is a large shell that is symbolic of Key West. In 1982, the idea was hatched to secede from the United States. This was prompted by a border patrol roadblock that disrupted traffic that year. The idea to secede was always considered a joke and never a serious call for revolution. However, the idea was popular with the locals and prompted a new angle to the Key West tourism industry. The Conch Republic flag and logo are displayed around the island and souvenir passports are sold to tourists.

Resources

• Key West information
• More about the Florida Keys
• Key West travel information