Key Vaca
Florida Straits | |
Highest elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m)[1] |
---|---|
Administration | |
State | Florida |
County | Monroe |
Key Vaca[2] is an island[1] in the middle Florida Keys, located entirely within the borders of the city of Marathon, Florida.[3]
Geography
Key Vaca is located in between
Nomenclature
Various theories as to the origin of the name exist. The most likely example is that the island was named after
Because it lies completely within the borders of Marathon, the island is often incorrectly referred to as "Marathon Key".[citation needed]
Climate
Key Vaca is located geographically in the subtropics, but with a completely
In the summer, temperatures are somewhat higher than in
Transportation
Key Vaca is accessible by water, primarily through Boot Key Harbor, which lies on the south side of the island. Due to the shallow waters of the harbor, deep-draft ships cannot be unloaded there. Between 1906 and 1912, Key Vaca functioned as a temporary deep-water port with the addition of the Knight's Key Trestle 3 miles (4.8 km) to the west of the island. Built in order to provide a supply line for the growing Overseas Railroad, the trestle was dismantled and burnt when the railroad was completed.
During World War II, Key Vaca gained an airport. Originally intended to be a training field for pilots flying between Homestead and Miami, the airport was turned over to the county after the conclusion of the war.
References
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Key Vaca
- ^ "History of Marathon".
- ISBN 978-1-942738-25-1. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ "Köppen Climate Classification Map: South Florida=Aw=tropical wet & dry". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ Team, National Weather Service Corporate Image Web. "National Weather Service Climate". w2.weather.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ Team, National Weather Service Corporate Image Web. "National Weather Service Climate". w2.weather.gov. Retrieved 2021-06-01.