Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Florida Keys Map A Useful Tool For Visitors To The Area

By Janette Livingston


The Florida Keys is a long archipelago that extends over 190 kilometers (120 miles) southward from the mainland peninsula. The chain consists of a maze of more than 4,500 cays and islands surrounded by the lazy, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors find a Florida Keys map an almost essential tool to successfully navigate the labyrinthine puzzle of islets and coves.

Many of the islands are fringed by long sections of stunning coral reefs. The area is a veritable marine paradise. It attracts keen anglers, boaters, scuba divers and snorkelers, and water sport enthusiasts. There is a continuous flow of visitors to the region throughout the year, summer and winter.

The chain is characterized by a tropical climate. The archipelago divides into at least four separate local areas of the upper, middle and lower keys plus the outlying islands. Moving north to south, the major islands are Key Largo, Tavernier, Plantation, Islamorada, Layton, Marathon, Big Pine Key, Boca Chica and finally Key West that lies 90 miles north of Cuba.

Key West came to the permanent attention of Europeans during the 1600s when when Spanish fishermen from Cuba stumbled upon the prolific fishing grounds near the island. At one time in history, Key West was the largest town in Florida. It was also somewhat of a buccaneering outpost that benefitted from shipwrecks in the area and shipping into and out of the northern reaches of the Gulf of Mexico.

A growing number of visitors arrive on private yachts. The surrounding waters are a paradise for boaters. Some sections are shallow and therefore deserve a close scrutiny of tide and navigation charts carefully. Despite that qualification, it is relevant to note that Key West is constantly visited by large, ocean going cruise liners.

There are several marinas to cater for the needs of recreational boaters. One is located at Caloosa Cove on the ocean side at the southwest tip of Lower Matecumbe Key. It offers dockage (vessels up to 70 feet) with shore-based water and electricity (110V or 220V), gasoline & diesel refueling, bait & tackle shop, parts and ships store as well as a service center.

In summary, a Florida Keys map is a valuable tool when trying to move about the complicated, circuitous maze of islands. There is so much to see and do it would be a pity to not to make it to where you want to go. A map will help you find your target. Read more about: florida keys map




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