The Florida Keys: An Island Chain, Not a Waterway

Technically, the Florida Keys are not a waterway—they are an archipelago (chain of islands) stretching ~120 miles (190 km) southwest from the Florida mainland.

Geography

• ~1,700 islands (mostly small, uninhabited); 43 connected by US-1 (Overseas Highway).
• Key West — southernmost point (90 miles from Cuba).
• Formed from ancient coral reefs (Key Largo Limestone, Miami Limestone) exposed by falling sea levels.

Surrounding Waterways

• Atlantic Ocean / Florida Straits — east/southeast.
• Gulf of Mexico — west/northwest.
• Florida Bay — north (between Keys and mainland).
• Hawk Channel — shallow passage between reef and keys (Intracoastal Waterway segment).

Why the Confusion?

• The Keys border major waterways.
• The Overseas Highway crosses 42 bridges over water — feels like driving on water.
• "Key" = Spanish cayo (small island), not "channel."

Economic Life

Tourism (diving, fishing, boating), commercial fishing, and marine research dominate. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 3,800 sq mi of surrounding waters — the real "waterway" asset.