Key West, Florida

Key West is a city and an island of the same name at the westernmost tip of the Florida Keys in Monroe County, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 25,478. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 24,768 . This is an interesting comparison to the 1920 census that put the population at approximately 20,000. It is the county seat of Monroe County.{{GR|6}} Key West is known as the Southernmost City and also as the Conch Republic. It is also the southern terminus of U.S. 1. Key West is about 150 miles (240 km) southwest of Miami, Florida, and 90 miles (145 km) north of Havana, Cuba.

Geography/Climate

Key West is located at {{coor dms|24|33|33|N|81|47|03|W|}}

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(24.559166, -81.784031){{GR|1}}. The maximum elevation above sea level is about 16 feet (5 m), known as Solares Hill. Key West Island is about 4 miles (6 km) long and 2 miles (3 km) wide; since the late 20th century it has been artificially expanded to the north.

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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.2 km² (7.4 mi²). 15.4 km² (5.9 mi²) of it is land and 3.8 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 19.73% water.

Related Topics:
United States Census Bureau - Km² - Mi²

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Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous 48 states, as seen in picture (see Extreme Points for more information.)

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Because of the nearness of the gulf stream in the Stratis 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 (kinda like the Caribbean islands) in which the average temperatures during the 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. The average low and high temperatures in January is 65 °F/ 75 °F. There is no known record of frost, ice, sleet, or snow in Key West. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Key West was 41 °F (5 °C) on January 12, 1886, and on January 13, 1981. Prevailing easterly tradewinds and sea breezes suppress the usual summertime heating. The average low and high temperatures in July is 80 °F/ 90 °F. The hotest temperature ever recorded in Key West was 97 °F (36.1 °C) on July 19, 1880, and on August 26, 1956. Precipitation is characterized by dry and wet seasons. The period of December through April receives abundant sunshine and slightly less than 25 percent of the annual rainfall. This rainfall usually occurs in advance of cold fronts in a few heavy or light showers. June through October is normally the wet season, receiving approximately 53 percent of the yearly total in numerous showers and thunderstorms. Early morning is the favored time for diurnal showers. Easterly waves during this season occasionally bring excessive rainfall, while infrequent hurricanes may be accompanied by unusually heavy amounts. Humidity remains high during the entire year.

Related Topics:
Gulf stream - Gulf of Mexico - Climate - Caribbean - Islands - Winter - Summer - January - Frost - Ice - Sleet - Snow - Temperature - January 12 - 1886 - January 13 - 1981 - July - July 19 - 1880 - August 26 - 1956 - Precipitation - December - April - June - October - Wet season - Thunderstorms - Hurricanes - Humidity

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