Florida Keys

Florida Keys
Name	Florida Keys
Location	Straits of Florida
Total islands	~1700
Major islands	Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Lower Keys, Key West
Country	United States
Country admin divisions title	State
Country admin divisions	Florida
Country admin divisions title 1	Counties
Country admin divisions 1	Monroe, Miami-Dade

Florida Keys. The Florida Keys are a coral cay archipelago located off the southern coast of the U.S. state of Florida, forming the southernmost portion of the continental United States. They begin about 15 miles south of Miami and extend in a gentle arc southwestward, terminating at the iconic island of Key West and the uninhabited Dry Tortugas. The islands are situated along the Straits of Florida, dividing the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico.

Geography

The archipelago consists of approximately 1,700 islands, though only about 43 are connected via the Overseas Highway. The main island groups, from northeast to southwest, include the Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. Major islands include Key Largo, which borders Biscayne National Park, and Key West, the county seat of Monroe County. The chain is built on an ancient coral reef and the exposed bedrock is primarily Key Largo Limestone and Miami Oolite. The islands are generally low-lying, with the highest natural point being only about 18 feet above sea level on Windley Key. A significant feature is Florida Bay, the shallow estuary between the Keys and the mainland.

History

The original inhabitants were the Calusa and Tequesta peoples. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León is credited with the first recorded European contact in 1513. For centuries, the islands were a haven for pirates, wreckers, and salvagers. The United States acquired Florida from Spain in 1819 via the Adams–Onís Treaty. Key West grew into a prosperous port and was a major base for the U.S. Navy during the 19th century. The construction of the Overseas Railroad by industrialist Henry Flagler was a monumental engineering feat completed in 1912, connecting the islands to the mainland. After the railroad was severely damaged by the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, its right-of-way was converted into the Overseas Highway.

Climate

The region has a tropical savanna climate, with a distinct wet season from May through October and a dry season from November through April. It is frost-free and classified under the Köppen climate classification as *Aw*. Temperatures are moderated year-round by the surrounding waters, though the islands are highly susceptible to hurricanes. The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 remains one of the most intense to ever strike the United States. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are frequent, and the area is also known for occasional waterspout outbreaks.

Economy

The economy is overwhelmingly driven by tourism, with attractions centered on recreational fishing, scuba diving on coral reefs like those within the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and ecotourism. The conch is a cultural and culinary symbol. Other significant sectors include retail services, real estate, and art galleries, particularly in Key West. Government operations are also a major employer, with entities like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Coast Guard maintaining facilities. The historic Duval Street is a primary commercial corridor.

Transportation

The primary artery is the Overseas Highway (U.S. Route 1), which runs 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West, famously traversing the Seven Mile Bridge. Miami International Airport serves as the major air gateway, while regional airports like Key West International Airport and Florida Keys Marathon International Airport provide direct access. Ferry services operate to islands like Dry Tortugas. Historically, the Overseas Railroad was critical before its destruction. Maritime traffic is managed through channels like the Intracoastal Waterway.

Ecology and environment

The ecosystem is dominated by mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States, part of the Florida Reef Tract. This sensitive environment is protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Everglades National Park. Native wildlife includes the endangered Key deer on Big Pine Key, the Key Largo woodrat, and abundant birdlife such as the great white heron. Major threats include coral bleaching, sea level rise, ocean acidification, and damage from vessel groundings. Conservation efforts are led by organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society.

Category:Archipelagoes of Florida Category:Islands of Monroe County, Florida Category:Regions of Florida