Key West (officially, Keywest), a city, United States naval station, and port of entry, the capital of Monroe co., Fla., on Thompson's Island, or Bone Key, a small island of coral formation in the Gulf of Mexico or Strait of Florida, about 55 miles SW. of Cape Sable. Lat. 24° 32' N. ; Lon. 81° 48' W. It has a safe harbor, the entrance of which is defended by Fort Taylor, a large and costly work, and by other more modern fortifications. The harbor admits vessels drawing 20 feet or more of water. The city has extensive docks, repair-yards, marine railway, hospitals and barracks, and a number of prominent public buildings. Its mild climate has made it a popular health- and winter-resort. It has extensive manufactures of cigars (which employ upward of 6000 hands) and shell-work, and important industries in sponges, coral, and turtle-shell. Deep-sea fishing is extensively carried on. The range of temperature is from 50° to 97 , with a mean for the winter of 70°. Pop. in 1890, 18,080 ; in 1900, 17,114.
Key West (officially, Keywest), a city, United States naval station, and port of entry, the capital of Monroe co., Fla., on Thompson's Island, or Bone Key, a small island of coral formation in the Gulf of Mexico or Strait of Florida, about 55 miles SW. of Cape Sable. Lat. 24° 32' N. ; Lon. 81° 48' W. It has a safe harbor, the entrance of which is defended by Fort Taylor, a large and costly work, and by other more modern fortifications. The harbor admits vessels drawing 20 feet or more of water. The city has extensive docks, repair-yards, marine railway, hospitals and barracks, and a number of prominent public buildings. Its mild climate has made it a popular health- and winter-resort. It has extensive manufactures of cigars (which employ upward of 6000 hands) and shell-work, and important industries in sponges, coral, and turtle-shell. Deep-sea fishing is extensively carried on. The range of temperature is from 50° to 97 , with a mean for the winter of 70°. Pop. in 1890, 18,080 ; in 1900, 17,114.
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