Key West just feels
like a Caribbean Island, fully tropical with the quaint styling of the
buildings, attitudes of its people, and the history of the town. It is truly a tropical island that you can
drive to along one of the most beautiful roads in the world. You can look out on the north side and see
the Gulf of Mexico, and to the South the Atlantic Ocean. Yes this is part of Florida in name only,
because one you are here you just know that you should have to show a passport
to get on the island.
Many of the residents
of Key West were immigrants from
the Bahamas, known as Conchs, pronounced "conks", who arrived in
increasing numbers after 1830. Many
were sons and daughters of Loyalists who fled to the nearest Crown soil during
the American Revolution. . In
the 20th century many residents of Key West started referring to themselves as Conchs, and the term is now
generally applied to all residents born in Key West, but those who have lived
in Key West for seven years or more are called “Freshwater Conchs. Many of the black Bahamian immigrants who
arrived later lived in Bahama Village, an area of Old Town centered around
Petronia Street.
Key West is closer to
Havana, 90 miles than it is to Miami, 129 miles . In 1890, Key West had a population of nearly
18,800 and was the biggest and richest city in Florida. Half
the residents were said to be of Cuban origin, and Key West, Cubans were actively involved in
reportedly 200 factories in town, producing 100 million cigars annually. Jose Marti made
several visits to seek recruits for Cuban independence starting in 1891 and
founded the Cuban Revolutionary Party during his visits to Key West. Key West was flooded with refugees from Cuba
and continue to come ashore, on at least one occasion, most notably in April
2003, flew hijacked Cuban Airlines planes into the city's airport.
Key West is located at 24°33′33″N 81°47′03″W. The maximum elevation above sea level is about 18 feet, a 1 acre
area known as Solares Hill. According
to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4
square miles, of which 5.9 square miles is land and 1.5 square miles is water. Since the 1940's, the island
has more than doubled in size via landfill. The new section on the eastern side is called
"New Town." It contains shopping centers, retail malls, residential
areas, schools, ball parks, and The Key West International Airport.
In 1982,
the “Conch Republic” seceded from the Union. Not Really, but they were very
upset about a border patrol blockade set up on the only highway in and out of
the Florida Keys. The secession was a
little tongue-in-cheek, but the roots of the battle live on, especially during
the annual Conch Republic Days. This
town is one part tourist mecca, and one part residential, Duval Street and a
better part of “Old Town” is the crazy fun filled part of town, and the eastern
side in general is the residential area, where it is only half as crazy as “Old
Town”
Key West has a
tropical savanna climate, similar to that of the Caribbean Islands. Like most tropical climates, Key West
has only a small difference in monthly mean temperatures between January,the
coolest month and July, the warmest month.
The annual range of monthly mean temperatures around 15 °F. The
Florida Keys are one of the only locations on the mainland United States known
to never have had a frost or freeze. The
lowest temperature on record is 41 °F on January 12, 1886 and January 13,
1981. Prevailing easterly trade winds and
sea breezes suppress the usual summertime heating, with temperatures rarely
reaching 95 °F. There are on average, only 55 days per year with
90 °F or greater highs, with
the average window for such readings June 10 through September 22, shorter than
almost the entire southeastern United States.
However, low temperatures during this period often remain above
80 °F. The all-time record high temperature is 97 °F on July 19,
1880, and August 29, 1956.
It is easy to see why many people that arrive for the first time in Key West, they feel like they are in some exotic Caribbean island. This island in 100% America, and a really great place to live if you enjoy the fun loving atmosphere of the people who visit and live here. Be careful, many of the residents came here on vacation and never returned home.
