Key West, Florida. City and Business guide.

Welcome to Key West, Florida.

Key West is a city and an island of the same name near the southernmost tip of the Florida Keys in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is the county seat of Monroe County. Key West is known as the Southernmost City in the Continental United States and also as the Conch Republic. It is also the southern terminus of U.S. Route 1.

Key West is a seaport destination for many passenger cruise ships. The Key West International Airport provides airline service. Hotels and guest houses are available for lodging. Many restaurants offer a choice of indoor or outdoor dining.

Aerial view of Key West, looking north. March 2001. Photo by: Tore Saetre.
Cayo Hueso is the original Spanish name for the island of Key West. Spanish speaking people also use the term Cayo Hueso when referring to Key West. It literally means bone key. It's said that the island was littered with the remains (bones) from an Indian battlefield or burial ground. The most widely accepted theory of how the name changed to Key West is that it is a false friend anglicisation of the word, being that the word hueso sounds like it could mean west in English. Other theories of how the island was named are that the name indicated that it was the westernmost Key, or that the island was the westernmost key with a reliable supply of water.

Key West is closer to Havana than it is to Miami. In 1890 Key West had a population of nearly 18,800 and claimed to be the biggest and richest city in Florida (it was to shortly be surpassed by Jacksonville, Florida). Half the residents were said to be of Cuban origin and Key West regularly had Cuban mayors. Cubans were actively involved in reportedly 200 factories in town producing 100 million cigars annually. José Martí made several visits to seek recruits for Cuban independence starting in 1891. The Battleship USS Maine sailed from Key West on its fateful visit to Havana where it blew up igniting the Spanish-American War. Crew men from the ship are buried in Key West and the Navy investigation into the blast occurred at the Key West Customs House.

Key West claims to be the only city in the lower 48 states never to have had a frost. Because of the proximity of the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida, about 12 miles south and southeast, and the tempering effects of the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north, Key West has a notably mild, tropical-maritime climate (similar to the Caribbean islands), in which the average temperatures during winter are about 14 degrees lower than in summer. Cold fronts are strongly modified by the warm water as they move in from northerly quadrants in winter.

Many visitors rent a bicycle and explore the history and architecture of Old Town Key West. Walking tours, including a tour of the unusual Key West Cemetery, are available. The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square is a daily spectacle for visitors and residents. Boat excursions and tours provide a great way to view Key West from the water. The Duval Street bar and restaurant district includes many different entertainment options, all within walking distance of each other. The Tennessee Williams Theatre is a performing arts center, a civic center, and a community center.

The Key West Botanical Forest and Garden 11 acres (4.5 hectares) is a frost-free arboretum and botanical garden containing a fine collection of trees, shrubs, and palms, including several "champion tree" specimens. It is located at 5210 College Road, Key West, Florida, USA. It is open daily, and admission is free. The Garden includes seven trees that are either champions or challengers, and one with an honorable mention. (Champions are determined by a point system based on height, circumference of the trunk, crown spread, and physical condition. The best tree in a species is designated Champion; the second best is Challenger. Naming of a National Champion Tree is made by American Forests; Florida champions are named by the Florida Division of Forestry.)

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