Key West is an island city located at the southern tip of Florida, part of the Florida Keys archipelago. It is renowned for its unique blend of history, subtropical climate, natural beauty, and cultural diversity, making it a popular tourist destination. The city is geographically closer to Havana, Cuba, than to Miami, Florida, influencing its historical and cultural ties to the Caribbean[8] [7]. Key West serves as the county seat of Monroe County, which encompasses a significant portion of the Florida Keys and parts of the Everglades[10]. The island itself is approximately 4 miles (6 kilometers) long and 1 mile (2 kilometers) wide, with a total land area of 4.2 square miles (11 km${}^2$)[6]. The city's official motto is "One Human Family," reflecting its inclusive spirit[1].

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Key West is the southernmost city in the contiguous United States and the westernmost island in the Florida Keys connected by highway[6]. Its main thoroughfare, Duval Street, stretches 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers) from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean[1]. The city is the southern terminus of U.S. Route 1, the longest north-south road in the United States, and State Road A1A[1]. Key West International Airport (EYW) provides airline service to the island, with airlines like Breeze Airways offering non-stop flights[2] [3]. The city is also a port of call for passenger cruise ships[13].

Historically, Key West was inhabited by Native American groups like the Calusa and Tequesta before European contact. The Spanish originally named the island "Cayo Hueso," meaning "bone cay," due to the presence of human remains, possibly from a communal burial ground[15]. Ownership of the island was transferred multiple times before the United States officially claimed it in 1822[18]. Early developers, including John Simonton, John Whitehead, Pardon C. Greene, and John Fleeming, played a crucial role in platting and developing the island, with many of Key West's main streets still bearing their names[20] [21]. In the 1830s, Key West was notably the wealthiest city per capita in the United States, largely due to industries like wrecking, fishing, turtling, and salt manufacturing[22] [26].

During the American Civil War, Key West remained under Union control due to its strategic naval base, despite Florida's secession[23]. The city also saw an influx of Cuban refugees during the Ten Years' War, leading to the establishment of numerous cigar factories and making Key West a major cigar producer[1]. However, the Great Fire of Key West in 1886 and subsequent relocation of some factories to Tampa led to a decline in the cigar industry[27].

The early 20th century brought significant infrastructure development, including the Overseas Railroad, which connected Key West to the Florida mainland in 1912[1]. This connection was vital until the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane destroyed much of the railway, leading to its conversion into the Overseas Highway, part of U.S. Route 1[1]. Key West also played a significant role in aviation history, with Pan American Airlines being founded there in 1926 to transport passengers and mail to Havana, Cuba[1].

Key West has a notable military presence, primarily through Naval Air Station Key West (NAS Key West), which includes facilities at Boca Chica and the Truman Annex[94] [95]. This strategic location, often referred to as the "Gibraltar of the West," has made it an important training site for naval aviation[1]. The Truman Annex, once President Harry S. Truman's "Little White House," is now a museum[42] [58].

The city is known for its tropical savanna climate, characterized by a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April[70]. While temperatures rarely reach extreme highs, Key West is vulnerable to hurricanes, with notable impacts from Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017[1].

Key West's culture is deeply influenced by its history and unique location. Many long-time residents are known as "Conchs," a term originally referring to Bahamian immigrants but now broadly applied to those born in Key West ("Saltwater Conchs") or those who have lived there for at least seven years ("Freshwater Conchs")[89]. The city famously declared symbolic independence as the "Conch Republic" in 1982 in protest of a U.S. Border Patrol blockade[1].

Notable attractions include the Southernmost Point Buoy, a concrete replica marking what is claimed to be the southernmost point in the contiguous United States, though the actual southernmost point is on restricted military land[52]. Other significant landmarks include the Ernest Hemingway House, where the renowned author lived and wrote, and the Harry S. Truman Little White House[42]. The Key West Art & Historical Society operates several museums, preserving and showcasing the island's rich history and culture[4]. The city also boasts a public library, part of the Monroe County Public Library System, which houses a collection of 70,000 items and has historical significance, including a letter from musician Jimmy Buffett[55] [56].