The Florida Keys are a coral cay archipelago (don’t worry, I’ll explain what this means in the paragraph below) off southern Florida, extending from the southeastern coast near Miami to Key West. A coral cay archipelago is a group of islands containing small, low-lying islands formed from coral fragments on top of a coral reef. The Florida Keys islands lie between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, with Key West being the southernmost point of the continental U.S. and standing 90 miles (150km) from Cuba. The Florida Keys’ coral reef is the largest living coral barrier reef in the United States and fifth largest in the world. Key Largo is the largest island in the Keys, stretching 33 miles (53 km). It is the northernmost island and is connected by U.S. Highway 1. In this article, you’ll learn 7 interesting facts about the Florida Keys. Craving a beach getaway? Explore travel programs to the best beaches around the world. 7 Fun Facts About Florida Keys Juan Ponce de León mapped the Florida Keys in 1513 Key West was once the largest city and richest city in Florida Key West declared itself the ‘Conch Republic’ in 1982 The Florida Keys were only accessible by water until the 20th century Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States Fort Jefferson was used as a Civil War prison Key lime pie is Florida’s official state pie
1. Juan Ponce de León mapped the Florida Keys in 1513 In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León became the first European to chart the Florida Keys, naming them “Los Martires,” The Martyrs, after the region’s early explorers. The name eventually evolved into the Florida Keys. Ponce de León’s expedition marked the beginning of European interest in the area, which was then inhabited by Native American groups like the Calusa Indians. Sticker mural in Key West, Florida.
2. Key West was once the largest city and richest city in Florida In the mid-1800s, Key West’s booming shipwreck salvage industry made it the wealthiest city per capita in America and the largest city in Florida. Spanish settlers called the area Key West Cayo Hueso, meaning bone island, referring to the bones of the Calusa Indians who had once lived in the Keys. In the 19th century, Key West’s economy boomed thanks to the shipwrecking industry. The city became known for salvaging goods from shipwrecks, and at its peak, Key West was the richest city per capita in the United States. The island’s strategic location made it a key point for maritime trade, and its residents grew wealthy from salvaged goods. >> Learn about Florida Keys as a wedding destination: 11 Helpful Fun Facts about Destination Weddings 3. Key West declared itself the ‘Conch Republic’ in 1982 In 1982, Key West declared independence from the United States, calling itself the “Conch Republic” in response to the U.S. Border Patrol’s roadblock which reduced area tourism. The protest gained national attention, and the U.S. government lifted the border blockade. The economy recovered and the protest became a defining moment in Key West’s history, memorialized each year during the Conch Republic Days festival. Conch Republic 2025 Festival Date: April 15-18, 2025 Location: Key West, Florida Seven Mile Bridge in Florida Keys >> Learn more about another U.S. destination with European influence: 14 Fun Facts About New Orleans 4. The Florida Keys were only accessible by water until the 20th century For most of its history, the Florida Keys were accessible only by boat. In 1912, the Overseas Railway connected the islands to mainland Florida. After a hurricane damaged the railway in 1935, it was replaced by the Overseas Highway, a 113-mile stretch that connects mainland Florida to Key West, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Seven Mile Bridge, part of the Overseas Highway, is one of the longest and most recognizable bridges in the world. Built as part of the Overseas Railway in 1912, it was rebuilt later as a highway bridge in the 1980s. The bridge connects the Middle Keys with Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys, providing views of the surrounding waters. Explore and travel in the United States 5. Key West is the southernmost point in the continental United States Key West is located just 90 miles from Cuba and is the southernmost point in the continental United States. The Southernmost Point Buoy marks this geographical extreme and is a popular Key West landmark. Firework show in Key West 6. Fort Jefferson was used as a Civil War prison Fort Jefferson was used as a military prison during the Civil War. One of the most famous prisoners was Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was convicted for his role in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. The prison is located on Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park. Address: Garden Key, Dry Tortugas, Key West, FL 33040 Hours: Open year-round during daylight hours. Access by boat or seaplane. Tours available from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (times may vary by season). 7. Key lime pie is Florida’s official state pie Key lime pie is a dessert made with key lime juice, egg yolks and condensed milk. It was first made in the Florida Keys in the early 1900s. Key lime pie is Florida’s official state pie, and Key West celebrates National Key Lime Pie Day each year. When is national key lime pie day? National key lime pie day is September 26. Florida Keys References Fort Jefferson NOAA – FKNMS