| Revision as of 00:01, 8 January 2016 editMild Bill Hiccup (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers175,374 edits Cleaned up using AutoEd; an → a← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:54, 18 August 2016 edit undo1ForTheMoney (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers40,680 edits Add infoboxNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| {{Infobox islands | |||
| | name = Vaca Key | |||
| | sobriquet = <!-- or |nickname= --> | |||
| | image name = | |||
| | image size = | |||
| | image caption = | |||
| | image alt = | |||
| | map = | |||
| | map_alt = | |||
| | map_width = | |||
| | map_caption = | |||
| | map_relief = | |||
| | label = | |||
| | label_position = | |||
| | lat_d = 24.716934 | |||
| | lat_m = | |||
| | lat_s = | |||
| | lat_NS = N | |||
| | long_d = 81.073308 | |||
| | long_m = | |||
| | long_s = | |||
| | long_EW = W | |||
| | x = | |||
| | y = | |||
| | x% = | |||
| | y% = | |||
| | etymology = | |||
| | location = ] | |||
| | type = region:US-FL_type:isle | |||
| | format = | |||
| | archipelago = ] | |||
| | waterbody = | |||
| | total islands = | |||
| | major islands = | |||
| | area sqmi = <!-- or |area sqft= or |area acre= --> | |||
| | area footnotes = | |||
| | rank = | |||
| | length mi = <!-- or |length ft= --> | |||
| | length footnotes = | |||
| | width mi = <!-- or |width ft= --> | |||
| | width footnotes = | |||
| | coastline mi = <!-- or |coastline ft= --> | |||
| | coastline footnotes = | |||
| | elevation ft = | |||
| | elevation footnotes = | |||
| | highest mount = | |||
| | country = United States | |||
| | country admin divisions title = | |||
| | country admin divisions = | |||
| | country admin divisions title 1 = | |||
| | country admin divisions 1 = | |||
| | country admin divisions title 2 = | |||
| | country admin divisions 2 = | |||
| | country capital type = | |||
| | country capital = | |||
| | country largest city type = | |||
| | country largest city = | |||
| | country capital and largest city = | |||
| | country largest city population = | |||
| | country leader title = | |||
| | country leader name = | |||
| | country area sqmi = <!-- or |country area sqft= or |country area acre= --> | |||
| | country 1 = | |||
| | country 1 admin divisions title = | |||
| | country 1 admin divisions = | |||
| | country 1 admin divisions title 1 = | |||
| | country 1 admin divisions 1 = | |||
| | country 1 capital type = | |||
| | country 1 capital = | |||
| | country 1 largest city type = | |||
| | country 1 largest city = | |||
| | country 1 capital and largest city = | |||
| | country 1 largest city population = | |||
| | country 1 leader title = | |||
| | country 1 leader name = | |||
| | country 1 area sqmi = <!-- or |country 1 area sqft= or |country 1 area acre= --> | |||
| | demonym = | |||
| | population = | |||
| | population as of = | |||
| | population footnotes = | |||
| | population rank = | |||
| | population rank max = | |||
| | density sqmi = | |||
| | density rank = | |||
| | density footnotes = | |||
| | ethnic groups = | |||
| | timezone1 = | |||
| | utc_offset1 = | |||
| | timezone1_DST = | |||
| | utc_offset1_DST = | |||
| | website = | |||
| | additional info = | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Vaca Key''' is an island in the middle ], located entirely within the borders of the city of ]. It is often incorrectly identified as "Marathon Key". | '''Vaca Key''' is an island in the middle ], located entirely within the borders of the city of ]. It is often incorrectly identified as "Marathon Key". | ||
| == |
==Geography== | ||
| Vaca Key is located in between ] and ]. Vaca Key was also connected via bridge to ] until the city of Marathon neglected the bridge so long it had to be torn down causing hardships to the business on Boot Key. Vaca Key comprises most of the north shore of ]. | Vaca Key is located in between ] and ]. Vaca Key was also connected via bridge to ] until the city of Marathon neglected the bridge so long it had to be torn down causing hardships to the business on Boot Key. Vaca Key comprises most of the north shore of ]. | ||
| == |
==Nomenclature== | ||
| {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2016}}Various theories as to the origin of the name exist. The most likely example is that the island was named after Alavar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who wrote a detailed account of the 16th-century exploration of Florida. Other theories revolve around the word ''vaca'', meaning "cattle" in ]. The 1957 book ''The Florida Keys'' indicates that the island's name comes from wild cattle that used to live on the island. Evidence of these cattle has never been found. The name may also refer to ], "sea cows" that thrived in the area prior to the 1950s. | {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2016}}Various theories as to the origin of the name exist. The most likely example is that the island was named after Alavar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who wrote a detailed account of the 16th-century exploration of Florida. Other theories revolve around the word ''vaca'', meaning "cattle" in ]. The 1957 book ''The Florida Keys'' indicates that the island's name comes from wild cattle that used to live on the island. Evidence of these cattle has never been found. The name may also refer to ], "sea cows" that thrived in the area prior to the 1950s. | ||
| Because it lies completely within the borders of ], the island is often incorrectly referred to as "Marathon Key".{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} | Because it lies completely within the borders of ], the island is often incorrectly referred to as "Marathon Key".{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} | ||
| == |
==Climate== | ||
| Vaca Key is located at 24.718N, 81.069W, geographically in the subtropics, but with a completely ]. Because of the proximity of the ] to the southeast, and the tempering effects of the ] to the west and north, Vaca Key has a notably mild, ],<ref></ref> (] ''Aw'', similar to the ] ]). Cold fronts are strongly modified by the warm water as they move in from the north in winter. The average low and high temperatures in January are 58 °F and 77 °F.<ref></ref> | Vaca Key is located at 24.718N, 81.069W, geographically in the subtropics, but with a completely ]. Because of the proximity of the ] to the southeast, and the tempering effects of the ] to the west and north, Vaca Key has a notably mild, ],<ref></ref> (] ''Aw'', similar to the ] ]). Cold fronts are strongly modified by the warm water as they move in from the north in winter. The average low and high temperatures in January are 58 °F and 77 °F.<ref></ref> | ||
| In the summer, temperatures are somewhat higher than in ], due to the island's proximity to the shallower waters of ], which are heated more easily than the deeper waters of the ], south of Key West. The season is characterized by hot, humid conditions and sharp, sudden thunderstorms that often drop substantial amounts of rain on the island. ] are a common threat during the summer, and sometimes affect the island directly, as was the case with the ] of 1935 and ] in 1960. The average low and high temperatures in August are 79 °F and 89 °F, with temperatures sometimes approaching the 100° mark.<ref></ref> | In the summer, temperatures are somewhat higher than in ], due to the island's proximity to the shallower waters of ], which are heated more easily than the deeper waters of the ], south of Key West. The season is characterized by hot, humid conditions and sharp, sudden thunderstorms that often drop substantial amounts of rain on the island. ] are a common threat during the summer, and sometimes affect the island directly, as was the case with the ] of 1935 and ] in 1960. The average low and high temperatures in August are 79 °F and 89 °F, with temperatures sometimes approaching the 100° mark.<ref></ref> | ||
| == |
==Transportation== | ||
| ], also known as the ], crosses the key at approximately ] 47.5–53.5. Prior to the ], Vaca Key was a major rail stop along the ] of the ]. It was home to a turnaround ] and several machine and repair shops. During the Great Depression and the construction of the Overseas Highway, Vaca Key was home to Camp No. 10, a home for several hundred ] veterans working on the project. | ], also known as the ], crosses the key at approximately ] 47.5–53.5. Prior to the ], Vaca Key was a major rail stop along the ] of the ]. It was home to a turnaround ] and several machine and repair shops. During the Great Depression and the construction of the Overseas Highway, Vaca Key was home to Camp No. 10, a home for several hundred ] veterans working on the project. | ||
| Line 21: | Line 114: | ||
| During ], Vaca Key gained an airport. Originally intended to be a training field for pilots flying between ] and ], the airport was turned over to the county after the conclusion of the war. | During ], Vaca Key gained an airport. Originally intended to be a training field for pilots flying between ] and ], the airport was turned over to the county after the conclusion of the war. | ||
| == |
==History== | ||
| <ref></ref> | <ref></ref> | ||
| == |
==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| {{Florida Keys}} | {{Florida Keys}} | ||
| {{Coord|24.716934|N|81.073308|W|display=title}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 09:54, 18 August 2016
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Florida Straits |
| Archipelago | Florida Keys |
| Administration | |
| United States | |
Vaca Key is an island in the middle Florida Keys, located entirely within the borders of the city of Marathon, Florida. It is often incorrectly identified as "Marathon Key".
Geography
Vaca Key is located in between Fat Deer Key and Knight's Key. Vaca Key was also connected via bridge to Boot Key until the city of Marathon neglected the bridge so long it had to be torn down causing hardships to the business on Boot Key. Vaca Key comprises most of the north shore of Boot Key Harbor.
Nomenclature
 | This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Various theories as to the origin of the name exist. The most likely example is that the island was named after Alavar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, who wrote a detailed account of the 16th-century exploration of Florida. Other theories revolve around the word vaca, meaning "cattle" in Spanish. The 1957 book The Florida Keys indicates that the island's name comes from wild cattle that used to live on the island. Evidence of these cattle has never been found. The name may also refer to manatees, "sea cows" that thrived in the area prior to the 1950s.
Because it lies completely within the borders of Marathon, the island is often incorrectly referred to as "Marathon Key".
Climate
Vaca Key is located at 24.718N, 81.069W, geographically in the subtropics, but with a completely tropical climate. Because of the proximity of the Gulf Stream to the southeast, and the tempering effects of the Gulf of Mexico to the west and north, Vaca Key has a notably mild, tropical-maritime climate, (Köppen climate classification Aw, similar to the Caribbean islands). Cold fronts are strongly modified by the warm water as they move in from the north in winter. The average low and high temperatures in January are 58 °F and 77 °F.
In the summer, temperatures are somewhat higher than in Key West, due to the island's proximity to the shallower waters of Florida Bay, which are heated more easily than the deeper waters of the Florida Strait, south of Key West. The season is characterized by hot, humid conditions and sharp, sudden thunderstorms that often drop substantial amounts of rain on the island. Hurricanes are a common threat during the summer, and sometimes affect the island directly, as was the case with the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and Hurricane Donna in 1960. The average low and high temperatures in August are 79 °F and 89 °F, with temperatures sometimes approaching the 100° mark.
Transportation
U.S. 1, also known as the Overseas Highway, crosses the key at approximately mile markers 47.5–53.5. Prior to the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Vaca Key was a major rail stop along the Key West Extension of the Florida East Coast Railway. It was home to a turnaround wye and several machine and repair shops. During the Great Depression and the construction of the Overseas Highway, Vaca Key was home to Camp No. 10, a home for several hundred World War I veterans working on the project.
Vaca Key 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, Vaca Key functioned as a temporary deep-water port with the addition of the Knight's Key Trestle three miles 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, Vaca Key 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.
History
References
- Köppen Climate Classification Map: South Florida=Aw=tropical wet & dry
- History : Weather Underground
- History : Weather Underground
- History of Marathon