Key West

Key West is an American destination with an original Spanish name ''Cayo Hueso'' translated as ''bone key'' due to the fact that the island used to be littered with bones and had the appearance of a communal graveyard. This small island formerly used by fishermen from Cuba or the British Bahamas represents the Southernmost point in continental USA and has a monument in the the shape of a buoy to celebrate its geographical position. This island with superb weather conditions claims to have never seen the frost and its undeniable charm has inspired Ernest Hemingway, a TV show entitled Key West and the song Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett.

Pre-American Times

The Key West island with its motto ''One Human Family'' has been inhabited ever since Pre-Columbian times. Home to the Calusa people, a group of Native Americans with a great connection to the sea, Key West has developed as a seaport, a training site for naval aviation and an important military post.

Nowadays, Key West is the name of a city located in Monroe Country in the American state Florida. The city encompasses the island with the same name, a part of another island called Stock Island, Sigsbee Park as well as Fleming Key and Sunset Key. Its total area covers 19,2 square kilometers (7, 4 square miles) and the former native American lands have a population of approximately 25,000 inhabitants. One of the Key West main purposes was connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico through the Florida Straits. Representing the Monroe County seat, the land of the Calusas reaches its maximal elevation at 6 meters (18 feet) above sea level in the area known as Solares Hill.

Presidential Winter White House

Due to its superb weather forecasts throughout the year, the island of Key West has been chosen by president Harry S. Truman as the seat of the Winter White House. The ''white'' building is located in the Old Town neighborhood where most constructions are dating from the time between 1886 and 1912. The part of Key West known as new town is represented as constructions built after the year 1940 and compared to the classic bungalows and the guest mansions, this area enhances the shopping opportunities as well as the innovative elements.

The Short Happy Life

The sights which inspired Ernest Hemingway to write some of his world renown novels (''The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber''), can be enjoyed in many ways especially if you are looking for a peaceful escape. Even if it does maintain an old flair, the new and innovative is brought in different forms of art like exhibitions and innovative ideas promoted mainly in the Studios of Key West.

Enjoy the Southernmost city in continental USA where frost has never been a problem and the beautiful sites combine old and new activities.