Florida Keys (Florida, USA)

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The Florida Keys offer an enigma of landscapes and an experience that few other places can offer. The strange flooded landscapes are categorised into various named areas (Marathon, Islamorada, Key Lago).

The Keys have something for everyone, with the focus on water activities. Laid-back atmosphere, much nightlife and many "celebrations", particularly in Islamorada and Key West (which tend to attract younger and livelier crowds), though there's peace and solitude if you want it. Those interested in the history of the area have lots to investigate. The area is also a popular wedding destination, including underwater weddings offered by a few of the dive resorts. A favourite holiday destination for Americans and Europeans.

Accommodation tends to be beside or just off the main US Route 1, and concentrated mainly around the Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo areas. there is a wide range, from small budget roadside motels to well-endowed hotels within own extensive grounds. Many properties have small artificial beaches and marines/quays; some properties are adults only. Some islands are almost privately owned resorts in their own right (such as Duck Key).

Locality:

The Florida Keys is in the south east United States. It Comprises a 126-mile archipelago extending west from the south tip of the state of Florida. In the Straits of Florida, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Gulf of Mexico to the north. (Key West (the westernmost island) is 90 mls N of Cuba and 150 mls from Miami (and its international airport) by road (which can take 4 hrs or more); Key Largo (the easternmost island) is 56 mls from Miami (and its international airport) by road).

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MARATHON - A great sport-fishing centre, with all kinds of fishing on offer, including deep-sea fishing trips aboard charter boats. Several fishing tournaments held each year, including the Tarpon Tournament in May and the Shark Tournament in July. Sailing is popular, as well as scuba-diving and helicopter rides. A dolphin research centre (at mile marker 59) offers dolphin swims.

A museum of natural history with coral reef and artefacts retrieved from shipwrecks. The small town of Marathon (on Vaca Key) has its own airport, with regular flights to Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota and Naples. Two golf courses: a 9-hole public course and an 18-hole private one. Clusters of shops, bars and restaurants are dotted along the coast road. Daily shuttle buses go to Key West (about a 1-hr drive) and to Miami. A car is recommended.

ISLAMORADA - Islamorada town straddles the main road on Upper Matecumbe Key. It has a fair choice of bars and restaurants (the Holiday Isles complex is one of the liveliest spots for nightlife after Key West), but they are all spread out and so access to a car is definitely an asset. Like Marathon, it is a sport-fishing centre, with several annual fishing tournaments, including the Sailfish Tournament in December. Sailing, scuba-diving and para-sailing are popular; light aircraft are available.

The Theater of the Sea has dolphin and sea-lion shows, a touch tank and a shark-feeding pool (dolphin swims available by advance reservation). The Airporter bus service from Miami airport stops at Islamorada, as does the Greyhound bus service from Miami to Key West. It is a 1½- to 2-hr drive from both Miami and Key West, about ½ hr from Marathon (and Marathon airport) and 20?30 mins from Key Largo.

KEY LARGO - This is the first resort you reach when coming from Miami (approximately 1 to 1½ hrs' drive depending on traffic); it is the scuba-diving capital of the Keys and part of Florida Keys National Maritime Sanctuary. Several of the hotels are situated around the marina, within easy walking distance of each other and a selection of shops, bars and restaurants. Car hire is not an absolute essential here, although the resort is rather spread out along US Route 1. The Airporter bus service from Miami airport stops at Key Largo and Greyhound buses go to Key West.

The most interesting attraction in the area is the 78-sq-ml John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park , America's first underwater national park; it has an unusual aquarium, nature trail through mangrove forests, beach, snorkelling and picnic areas as well as glass-bottomed boat trips out to the coral reef. For scuba-divers, the living coral reef is the place to explore. The Key Largo Undersea Park is a research/educational facility , with guided tours and snorkelling/diving opportunities, including the wreck of a Spanish galleon. Glass-bottomed boat trips are also popular.

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Population: 295.734.100
Languages: English 82%, Spanish 11% (2000)
Currency: US dollar
Currency code: USD
Local Times:
U.S.A. - District of Columbia - Washington DC

U.S.A. - Florida - Orlando

U.S.A. - California - San Francisco

U.S.A. - New York - New York

U.S.A. - Nevada - Las Vegas

Country Dialling Code: +1
Voltage: 120V 60Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 parallel flat prongs

2 Parallel flat prongs with an earth connector

The USA is home to several of the world's most exciting cities, some truly mind-blowing landscapes, a strong sense of regionalism, a trenchant mythology, more history than the country gives itself credit for and, arguably, some of the most approachable natives in the world.

America was 'discovered' by Columbus in 1492 and for 500 years people have travelled here seeking a better life in the 'land of opportunity'. The land was fought over by colonial powers for centuries and finally won its independence from Britain in 1783. Despite the near annihilation of the Native American population, one of the bloodiest civil wars the world had seen, and racism (Native Americans were not granted citizenship until 1924 and racial segregation was the norm until as late as the 1950s), the American people have succeeded in forging one of the worlds most united, democratic and tolerant nations, a fascinating melting-pot of cultures, and the undisputed military and economic heavyweight of the world.

The country is made up of 48 contiguous states of the continental USA, plus the huge state of Alaska, northwest of Canada, and the volcanic islands of Hawaii, 2,000 miles (3,219km) out into the Pacific. There are also the US territories, which include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Midway Islands and US Virgin Islands. Tourism is focused mainly in the great cities such as New York and Washington, as well as sunshine states such as Florida, California and Hawaii. However the mind-blowing landscapes, found in the wealth of magnificent National Parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Adirondacks, as well as spectacular sights like the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains, are what make the USA so unique. With all this on their doorstep, it's easy to understand why most Americans have never bothered getting a passport.