Florida Keys Facts

Florida Keys facts are interesting bits of trivia to add to your general knowledge bank.

Peruse the list below to learn more and tickle your neurons.

• Key West is the southern most city in the continental United States. It is closer to Havana, Cuba than Miami, Florida.
• There are 42 bridges that connect the islands of the Fabulous Florida Keys.
• The longest bridge is the 7-mile bridge which is 35,716 feet long.
• Small green mile marker signs line US 1. They start with 126 just south of Florida City and end at MM 0 in Key West.
• Another Florida Key fact is that there are more than 800 Florida Keys.
• Key Largo, at 33 miles, is the longest key.
• The word, “key” comes from the Spanish word, “cayo” which means “little island.”
• Many of the Fabulous Florida Keys habitats are known as wetlands because at times they are submerged under water and have soil that holds much moisture.
• Three types of habitats are found in the Fabulous Florida Keys—tropical hardwood hammocks, mangrove forests, and salt water marshes.
• The Everglades and Florida Bay are referred to as the “backcountry” in the Fabulous Florida Keys.
• Key West is also known as the Conch Republic.
• US 1 is also called the Overseas Highway.
• Since the early 1980’s, approximately 23 artificial reefs have been put in place in the Fabulous Florida Keys. Most are sunken ships.
• A famous Florida Key fact is that the only living coral reef ecosystem in North America is located just a few miles offshore of the Fabulous Florida Keys.
• Green Sea Turtles that live in the ocean waters around the Fabulous Florida Keys are an endangered species.
• Duval Street in Key West is called the longest street in the world because it runs from coast to coast.
• Key West has a massive number of shipwreck treasures and memorabilia.