One place that I have traveled to most often is Florida! I took a trip during summer to visit a few colleges down there because I’m looking into studying marine biology. I visited Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa. In the past, I have been to Miami, Orlando, Clearwater, and a few more. Although, a part of Florida I have never been to is the very southern part known as the Florida Keys. I think it would be really cool to visit because I have heard that it is a great place to scuba dive. Some popular islands in the Florida Keys is Key Largo, Plantation Key, Sugarloaf Key, and Key West.

 Key Largo

 

Key Lime Pie                         Lime plantations                 Dive Capital of the World

Key Largo is the largest key with thirty miles in length. Key Largo is known for their key lime plantations which is the source of key lime pies. Along Key Largo’s east coast there is the United State’s first undersea park with large living coral formations. Also, interestingly enough, Key Largo is referred to as the ‘Dive Capital of the World’. That is because there you can find natural, colorful reefs, sunken ships, and tons of marine life. So, if you are looking to scuba dive or snorkel anywhere, Key Largo is your place.

 

Plantation Key                                        Seaside Houses

Just twenty miles south of Key Largo is Plantation Key. According to a study in 2000, Plantation Key has a population of no more than 3,500. Because this key is one of the smaller keys, everything there is to do is in walking distance. Mostly, tourists come to this key for seaside house rentals.

 

Sugarloaf Key     Sugarloaf Pineapple    Sea grape tree     Barracuda     Octopus

Long ago at Sugarloaf Key, there used to be pineapple grown there called sugarloaf and that is where the key got its name. Although, that type of pineapple is no longer in commercial use because it is too soft for travel. Plants native to the island include poisonwood, sea grape, and thatch palm. Some native animals include dolphins, parrotfish, barracuda, and octopus.

 

Key West               Conch Shell             The Conch Republic

Key West is Florida’s southernmost point. Because it is so far south, Key West is closer to Cuba than it is to Miami. There are forty two bridges that connect Key West to the mainland of Florida and the third largest coral reef here. Moreover, all the sand on the beaches of Key West is shipped from the Caribbean. What’s funny is that people born here are called Conchs because the Key West is known as The Conch Republic and Key West is the only city in the country that never gets frost.

Florida Keys

So, hopefully all this information interests you into going to the Florida Keys because I know I want to!