Key West, or Cayo Hueso (Island of Bones) was discovered by Ponce de Leon, named Las Martines and claimed by Spain in 1513. In 1815 Don Juan de Estrada granted Key West to Juan Pablo Salas for meritorious service to the crown. John W. Simonton, from Alabama, bought the island from Salas for $2,000 in 1821.

And although it's famed as the home of key lime pie, this destination offers much more, from high end art galleries to literary festivals and cool bars. With both land and sea-based activities to entertain everyone, a unique culture, and a buzzing food and beverage scene, Key West caters to all ages and interests.

Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, The Spanish claimed The Keys during Ponce de León's 1513 expedition. They saw little of value in the stony islands, but they mapped and named The Keys to help their ships navigate The Florida Straits as they carried gold and silver from the New World to the old one.

When explorer Juan Ponce de Leon charted the islands of the Keys in 1513, he called them Los Martires (meaning “the martyrs”) because he thought they resembled men in distress. The more popular name, simply the Keys, is derived from the Spanish word Cayo (“small island”).

bone island The name Key West is actually a misnomer. Spanish settlers originally called Key West Cayo Hueso, which translates to bone island, referring to the bones of the Calusa Indians who had once lived in the Florida Keys. English speakers mistook Cayo Hueso, thinking it sounded like Key West and the name stuck.

Key West is the southernmost point of the US and the westernmost island of the Florida Keys. The city occupies an entire island along with portions of surrounding islands; its land area totals around 6 square miles.

The Keys are known as the world's premier sport fishing destination. However, the Queen Conch is a protected species and catching it is prohibited. Since 1981, more than 23 artificial reefs have been created in the waters off the Keys, mostly through the sinking of ships!

As a capital for sportfishing, boating, scuba diving, and seafood, the Florida Keys is the perfect place to get a taste of tropical Florida. Islamorada is known as the sportsfishing capital of the world, hosting the largest fishing fleet per square mile in the world.

Well everything from the scenery, the sunsets and the unique architecture will leave you wanting to bask in this utopia. The island is rich in history, nightlife and has an extensive array of restaurants and shopping plazas. There's a reason around 5 million people visit Key West per year!

Duval Street in Key West is one of the most iconic streets in Florida and a must-see destination for any visitor to the city. Located in the heart of Old Town Key West, Duval Street runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean and offers plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

English is the official language of Key West, but fun breaks down all language barriers.

The chickens found in Key West are descendants of the jungle fowl that was originally found throughout the Caribbean, including Cuba. Early settlers in Key West had a normal relationship with their chickens, keeping them in coups and using them for food.