Sunny state of Florida – part II

But the real Caribbean part of the islands begin, where the road called US 1, running from Maine to the eastern most part of the Keys, finally leaves the mainland Florida and cross the first of 42 bridges. Here, where the US1 connects most of the larger islands, it is known as the „Overseas Highway“, for most of the road really does go over the open seas. IT’s a 4 hour drive that takes you from Miami to the island and town in the Caribbean part of the US called Key West. In the past, this was among the richest settlements in the whole US. Explaining the origin of the name, the Americans claim it derives from the Spanish word for bone (hueso), which the first discoverers found as they landed on the island. It’s a much more poetic explanation than simply to say, it’s the geographically most western island of the group, so they named it the west one.

As said, Cuba is very near, that’s why Key West used to be the target for many illegal emigrants, which used it as the base to reach other parts of the US. That’s why the government set up a border crossing like station on the mainland part of Florida’s highway, where all who crossed had to be clearly identified.  That’s why the Key West citizens felt like second rate citizens of the US and have left the Union. In 1982 they announced their independence from the US under the name of Conch Republic (conch is a seashell). They announced war on the US, but surrendered to them in the very next minute. With this action they wanted to attract the attention of the US government towards their troubles and succeeded, for the roadblock was removed. But the pride in having their own republic remained and they still call themselves Conchs and have their own flag and a special license plate in the front of the car (the state of Florida only requires you to have the licence plate in the back) with their own flag and inscription Conch republic. If you pay enough money, you can even get their passport. This “political” action has raised the interest for Key West, which reflected very positive in their tourist income.