Located on Boca Chica Key, Key West Naval Air Station is located four miles northeast of Key West proper. Known as "the Caribbean of the United States," the Keys are as close as you can get to Paradise, without leaving the country. Due to the Keys' proximity to both Cuba and the Caribbean, their history is as colorful as their inhabitants. The area has sheltered Spanish conquistadores, French pirates, Caribbean salvagers, Cuban shipbuilders and East Coast sailors. In fact, many of the structures built on the Keys date back to the 1850s, and many of the land titles and deeds were issued from the King of Spain.The surrounding communities offer so many unique sights and activities—each Key is a veritable "Treasure Island" for you to explore.

Key West has a long-standing reputation as being the premier tourist/vacation destination, as the southernmost city in the continental United States. However, Key West has a lot more to offer than just sun, beaches and surf. Architecture, history and adventure are on the menu year round. And let's not forget Key limes, pineapples and "Pink Gold" (shrimp). The Mayor of Key West has begun a campaign to establish Key West as "the cleanest little city in America"—a plan which will boost the foundations of the island, thus improving its overall appearance. From mentoring and youth athletic sponsorship, to physically cleaning and tending to the island, Key West's citizens have answered the call to strengthen the island as a whole.

• History: Discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, the isle was named "Cayo Hueso" or "Isle of Bones" upon landing, because the ground was scattered with the bones of Native Americans— it was later found to be a native burial ground. The term "Key West" is actually an English mispronunciation of Cayo Hueso, so named in 1822 when a small naval depot was established. Prior to US occupation, the island chain was a haven for criminals and pirates, as well as Native Americans. The island's two earliest industries were fishing (self explanatory) and salvage. The salvage industry made Key West the largest and most prosperous city in Florida, due to the large reefs flanking the island. Literally hundreds of trade ships struck and sank on the reefs, and divers salvaged millions of dollars worth of riches. To this day, the coast of Key West is one of the most dived locations in the world, due to the ships still sunken close to the coast. However, from 1890 to 1935, the island's population steadily declined, and construction/industries all but ceased. In turn, WWII brought a population boom and industry increase, more than doubling in the 20 year span between 1940 to 1960. However, after 1960 bases shut down nationwide, and Key West was no exception. Cyclical yet again, from 1960 to 1980 population declined slightly less than 30 percent. By 1990, the population was on the rise yet again (from 24,377 to 24,832), and currently the population has reached a plateau of 27,698.

• Architecture: Key West has several bohemianstyled structures that date more than a century old; from tin roofed "conch-style" homes, gingerbread houses, and faithfully restored wooden homes built in the style of the island's original visionaries. Several world famous people have called Key West home, from Lou Gherig to Thomas Edison to Tennessee Williams, and many of their former homes are available to tour and/or photograph.

• Attractions: In the historic Bahama District (settled in the 19th century by immigrants from the Bahamas), new stores and restaurants are springing up seemingly overnight. This area was a favorite of Hemingway, who was known to frequent the bars to arm-wrestle and box with the locals. The Mallory Docks are a likely source for nighttime entertainment for both Islanders and tourists alike. Sidewalk cafes, open-air bars and dimly lit pubs line the streets, which are filled with jugglers, mimes and a multitude of street musicians. Some of the top attractions for tourists include:

• Conch Tour Train
World famous tour of Key West. This train takes you to the Hemingway Home, Duval Street, Mallory Square and many other interesting and historical sights.

• Shipwreck Historeum
Discover the treacherous world of shipwreck salvaging and how it made Key West the richest city in the Florida Keys.

• Key West Cemetery
A walk through this historic graveyard can tell as much about Key West's eccentric character as any history lesson. Unusual whitewashed above-ground tombs and unique statutes are perfect indicators of the Key's colorful past.

• Old Town Trolley Tours
Sightseeing tours of Key West, featuring over 100 points of interest. The trolley makes 9 stops so you can stop along the way for shopping, attractions, and dining.

• Audubon House and Tropical Gardens
Tour of 1840's restored home of Captain Geiger. This has a one-acre garden with a great collection of tropical plants.

• Curry Mansion Museum
Restored 25-room Victorian mansion.

• Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
Key West's number one tourist attraction.

• Little White House
The "Winter White House" of former President Harry S. Truman.

• Mosquito Coast Wildlife Tours
Guided kayaking through the waters of the keys to a mangrove island with several other biological highlights.

• Adventure Charters and Tours
Guided tours of the Great White Heron and Deer National Wildlife Refuges.

• Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square
Nightly sunset celebration. Be entertained by various carnival performers and street vendors, while viewing a sunset, the likes of which you'll see nowhere else.

In addition to the attractions listed above, Key West also offers several attractions geared primarily toward children and families. Some of the area's best are offered below.

• Key West Nature Preserve
Wooden walkways and trails take tourists through mangroves and forests. Here children can observe indigenous butterflies, lizards, birds and other island fauna.

• Key West Marine Park
"Safe area" for swimming and snorkeling. Children will see many species of coral, tropical fish and birds at this park.

• Astro City
This well-equipped playground is a popular stop for families on their way to and from the beach, White Street Pier or Old Town Key West.

• Bayview Park
This large park has a fully equipped playground, basketball court and tennis courts. It is a popular spot for local events.

• White Street Pier
This pier extends hundreds yards over the Atlantic Ocean. When winds are calm, or out of the north, a stroll along this pier reveals large schools of fish and numerous feeding shore birds. The end of the pier is a good spot for family fishing excursions.

• Historic Seaport District
A public walkway was built around this former commercial-fishing harbor. This a great place to take a stroll with your family. Children might find a wild sea turtle or see hungry tarpon and occasionally manatees from the walkway.

• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach
This historic fortress at the southwest end of Key West is a fascinating place for children to play and watch boats as they sail by out of Key West Harbor. The grounds offer a sandy beach with picnic tables and restrooms.

• Key West Aquarium
The 50,000 gallon Atlantic shore exhibit gives visitors a close look at the Florida Keys mangrove near shore and reef.

• Beaches: Though Key West is known as a tropical paradise, don't expect to find white sand beaches this far south. Though somewhat rocky, the beaches are lush nonetheless, and offer several different activities, year round. Here's a small offering of some local beaches, most accessible to swimming, surfing and sunbathing.

• C. B. Harvey Rest Beach
Picnic areas, hiking and bike trails...a perfect family spot.

• Higgs Beach/Astro Park
The premier beach for sunbathing on the Key.

• Simonton Street Beach
An excellent location to watch sailing vessels.

• Smathers Beach
Best spot for both surfing and windsurfing.

• South Beach
Popular beach for college students and tourists.

• Dog Beach
One of the only local beaches where your dogs are welcome.

• Weather: Key West has a mild tropical climate nearly year-round, due mainly to its proximity to the Florida Current. At it's coldest, the winter temperature is only an average of 15 degrees cooler than the summer. However, there are only two major seasons: dry and wet. The "dry season" lasts from December to April, and the "wet season" runs from May through October. During the "rainy season" the 'Keys receive more than 75% of their annual rainfall. The "Hurricane season" runs tandem with the rainy season, from June through October with the most probable dates for a Hurricane occurring from mid-August to early October. Thunderstorms occur almost every month of the year, but are most severe from July to September. The Florida Bay is also the waterspout capital of the world, experiencing anywhere from 40 to 550 waterspouts per year—most common from May through October. The National Weather Service has labeled Key West as "the most hurricaneprone area in the continental United States," however recent atmospheric conditions and the utter lack of hurricane activity more than 150 nautical miles around Key West may suggest otherwise. Nevertheless, hurricanes are still a serious concern to residents of the 'Keys, and should be planned for accordingly. The Florida State Emergency team will give an indication in a minimum of 36 hours prior to contact, so that residents may evacuate the area.