Dawn henthorn is a lifelong florida resident and travel expert, former editor of wire to wire and horse racing digest, and a journalist for orlando family magazine. Random facts about the florida keys mikes road trip. The longest bridge, measuring 35,716 feet long, is the seven mile bridge. No wonder then that key largo, which sits on the florida keys, is commonly. The islands lie along the florida straits, dividing the. The aptly named seven mile bridge is the longest and most scenic. Since no protests were made to american claim on key west, the florida keys became the property of the united states. The florida keys are made up of about 1700 islands. The state has over 1190 miles of statute coastline.
Florida is often in the news for stupid criminals and strange happenings, but theres plenty of unique facts. Its only 1 miles from key largo to key west, but take it slow and savor. The overseas highway in the florida keys is rated amongst one of the most searched and traveled routes of florida. Florida is the southernmost contiguous state in the united states it is bordered to the west by the gulf of mexico, to the northwest by alabama, to the north by georgia, to the east by the atlantic ocean, and to the south by the straits of florida as of 1 january 2018, the population of florida was estimated to be 21,312,211. Here is an excellent infographic by uk based website direct villas florida offering facts about florida.
The average size for the 80 identified species of parrotfish is 14 feet and they can live up to 7 years. They begin at the southeastern tip of the florida peninsula, about 15 miles south of miami, and extend in a gentle arc southsouthwest and then westward to key west, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited dry tortugas. Read on for cool and interesting facts about our beautiful archipelago located between the atlantic ocean and the gulf of mexico. As vividly portrayed as if they were characters in a novel, these truelife inhabitants of the florida keys will capture your admiration as you share in the dreams and realities of their daily lives. This island chain is 202 miles 325 km in length, stretching to within 90 miles 145 km of cuba. Rather, the place provides tourists and visitors with excellent attractions and fun. With these 66 interesting facts about florida, let us explore more about its history, geography, culture, people, economy and more. Interesting facts about the florida keys boring party. Henry flagler, an early developer of the florida keys, inadvertently. So no matter where you are in florida, you are never more than 60 miles from the ocean. There are some places we go to where we already have preconceived ideas of what well find.
Key largo is the northernmost island in the florida keys archipelago and starts on mile marker 107. The expansive florida reef is the only living coral reef in north. Geologically the florida keys have exposed parts of coral reefs. There used to be an overseas railroad that connected all aboveground keys, but it was destroyed by a powerful hurricane in 1935. Green sea turtles that live in the ocean waters around the florida keys are also endangered species.
The most southerly stretch of the sunshine state is spoilt with long days of sunny rays. Some of the islands have been exposed for so long that sand has built up around them, creating barrier islands. A peninsula is a piece of land that is surrounded on three sides by water. There are 42 bridges that connect key west to the mainland of florida. The florida keys are a chain of 1,700 islands extending southwest from the southern tip of the florida peninsula, with the atlantic ocean to the south and the florida bay and gulf of mexico to the north.
This part of florida is not nearly discovered as the other more popular areas and that is why we love it. Information inside includes history about the keys including five favorite island destinations, the history of the overseas railway, labor day hurricane of 1935, seven mile bridge, information about the coral reef ecosystem, manatee, sea turtles, dolphin, key deer, force of hurricanes, the climate plus. Fun facts about the florida keys for travelers travel. Florida is a peninsula, meaning it is almost completely surrounded by water. This snorkeling the florida keys guide is a great book for those who want to explore the vibrant coral reefs and rich sea life of south florida. The reason for that is not that it just connect 2 or more places. This article provides information for history buffs and. In the region known as the florida keys, there are 800 keys in total, and they stretch over 180 miles. Firstly, the weather in the florida keys, well, there is all of that sunshine. Some of the islands have been exposed for so long that sand. Go beyond the beach and read on for our top five fun facts about the florida keys. Five also are designated on a federal level as national scenic highways. The florida keys are a series of islands extending from the southeastern tip of florida. Here are eight interesting tidbits you may not know about the warm and sunny destination.
The infographic has sections about geography, laws, theme parks, other attractions and random facts. Hidden history on the florida keys, a new volume penned by laura albritton and upper keys historian jerry wilkinson, reveals seldomtold tales of the lively and unusual cast of historic figures who helped shape the florida keys from the 1820s through the 1960s. Due to an inspection point on us 1 that was hurting tourism in the keys. Decades ago the island was known for its plantations of key limes and even today the florida keys are famous for their keylime pie. It took lisa two years to collect and catalog her keys. For divers and music lovers, the florida keys underwater music festival provides the best of both worlds. Add the princessstyle autograph books and, end to end, the books would. The florida keys is an archipelago of about 1700 islands in the southeast united states. Fun facts about the florida keys for travelers travel experta. The thirdlargest coral reef in the world is off the coast of key west.
The florida keys not just a fantastic vacation destination. And, the florida keys scenic highway is the only byway in the state designated as an allamerican road. There are 42 bridges connecting the florida keys islands. The overseas railroad operated from 1912 to 1935 and you can still see. If you have had the chance to visit the keys you would. The florida keys are more than just a great vacation destination. Pure beauty, awaits in a natural setting on florida can provide here are 20 facts about florida. All of the sand on the beaches of key west were shipped in from the caribbean. At about 32 miles long, its the largest island in the keys. Here are 10 of our favorite fun facts about the florida keys. Occupations included salvaging wrecks, growing sponges, planting pineapples, making charcoal, and skinning sharks.
The florida keys were first inhabited by the tequesta and calusa native american tribes. Fun facts about key west in florida travel expertatravel. The overseas highway is one of the most beautiful drives in the country. Fun facts about visiting the florida keys key west. With the weather getting warmer and trips being planned, fun motorcycle training llc wants to share some facts about the florida keys. It is the 3rd most populous state in the united states. This is a beautiful ride and every motorcycle rider needs to experience this beautiful ride. There are 42 bridges connecting all the florida keys islands. The florida keys are an island archipelago extending from the southeastern tip of the united states state of florida. By jamie kiffelalcheh florida everglades in this episode of nature boom time, follow kirby and charlie as they undertake a twoday canoe trip through the florida everglades to find out about mangroves and their importance to this coastal ecosystem.
The city of key west is the bestknown and most populated of all the keys and the monroe county seat of. Road trip teacher takes you on a road trip to the tropical destination of the florida keys. I thought it would be a great time to write about the beautiful location and some facts that you may or may not know about them. The longest bridge, seven mile bridge, is 35,716 feet long, and it connects the mainland of florida to. They begin about 15 miles 24 kilometers south of miami and extend out toward the southwest and then west toward the gulf of mexico and the uninhabited dry tortugas islands. Since the 1980s, approximately 23 artificial reefs have been put in place in the florida keys. The third largest barrier reef system in the world enjoys nutrientrich waters delivered by the gulf stream that makes these warm waters an ideal place for stunning coral reefs to grow and spectacular. The first inhabitants of the florida keys were the native american tribes calusa and tequesta. Quarantine was driving me crazy so i decided to lose my mind. It has first hand account of stories of people who live there after the devastating hurricane of 1935. As of 20 when she was awarded the world record, lisa owned 3,604 keys. Since first settled in the early 1800s, the islands have been seasoned by the rich american and cuban culture, sweetened by the unabashed romantic appeal of their natural beauty, and energized by their community.
Augustine is considered the oldest city in the country. There are over 800 keys in total, stretching over 180 miles 290 km. Florida is the only state to have an embassy in washington, d. The largest of the parrotfish family is the bumphead parrotfish found in the indopacific, measuring more than 4 feet and reaching a weight of 100 pounds. The florida keys collectively make up a chain of more than 800 islands, though a road trip is fairly convenient thanks to a 1mile, 42bridge overseas highway that connects all the major keys. Completed in 1938, it connects a string of keys and coral rock with 1 miles of concrete roadway. Geologically, the florida keys are made up of the main. Jul 31, 2012 the florida keys are a tropical paradise with a colorful history and a unique way of life. Just the fact that fantasy fest was reported to tale place in key largo set off. Geologically the florida keys are exposed parts of coral reefs.
There are more than 700 islands throughout the florida keys. You may even know that key west is the southernmost point in the continental u. The longest key is key largo, which is 30 miles 48 km long and 0. The guinness book of world records verified that lisa large of kansas city, missouri has the largest collection of keys. Perry sailed the schooner shark to key west and planted the u. The keys have a rich history, and are home to some fascinating marine facts. So this month i made a trip over to the keys with family. Because it can be accessed by land key west is known as the southernmost city in the country. Key west is regarded as the southernmost point in the country that can still be reached by land. Most of the islands making up the florida keys are within the florida straits, a body of water located between the gulf of. Fun facts about the florida keys us 1 is also called the overseas highway. Located just west of miami and east of naples is the beautiful everglades.
The florida keys include over 800 islands, many of which can be accessed via a network of 42 bridges. Both fiction and nonfiction books set in or about florida including florida history score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Just south of the florida mainland lies the florida keys, a necklace of islands surrounded by emeraldgreen harbors, turquoise seas, nodding palms and olivegreen mangroves. Interesting facts about the florida keys mangrove marina. Very few are populated and only 43 are connected by bridges. Despite there being countless unusual things to do in the florida keys and key west, it remains one of those destinations.
1343 589 1473 1172 1401 434 1492 958 706 1065 1262 138 1011 187 1405 863 776 1147 654 24 1478 1668 1057 848 1072 193 632 1302 219 1396 1078 606 334 942 592 1088 1434 722 1044