Many of us who know little about the Florida Keys may think that they are something they are not. We might think they’re just an island featured in the Beach Boys’ song “Kokomo” or we might think they’re what Floridians use to get into their homes and start their cars. For those who have visited the Florida Keys, or are lucky enough to call them home, these Florida Keys are a tropical existence rich with past, culture, and, of course, piña coladas galore. Take our quiz to see how much you know about this group of islands, the most tropical keychain there is.
1. The Florida Keys are islands made up of what?
has. coral and limestone
b. fermented seaweed and wood
against plutonic rock and asphalt
d. sugar and spices and everything nice
2. Which Spanish explorer visited the area that would become the Florida Keys in 1513?
has. Christopher Columbus
b. Juan Ponce de León
against Francisco de Eliza
d. Indiana Jones
3. Around what year did the first permanent settlers arrive in the Florida Keys?
has. 1756
b. 1822
against 1801
d. 1988
4. What did these first permanent settlers do to survive?
has. Salvaged shipwrecks and fish
b. alligators and manatees hunted
against Traded jewelry made from barnyard
d. He worked at Disney World.
5. Approximately how big are the Florida Keys?
has. 350 miles
b. 170 miles
against 220 miles
d. five foot two and eyes of blue
6. In 1935, the largest disaster in the Keys, which destroyed property and killed hundreds of people, was caused by what?
has. in the tsunami
b. an earthquake
against a hurricane
d. The stock market crash
7. What is the name of the highway that runs from Key West and connects to all the main islands?
has. The Atlantic Coast Highway
b. The million dollar highway
against the overseas road
d. The Pacific Coast Highway
8. Which is the largest of the Keys?
has. Boca Chitá Cay
b. long key
against Soldier Keys
d. I lost my keys
9. How many species of fish live on the reefs of the Keys?
has. more than 600
b. less than 500
against Approximately 300
d. only one or two
10. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first what in the United States?
has. manatee habitat
b. underwater park
against Artificial alligator hatchery
d. Place where a mermaid was seen
Answers: 1. a. coral and limestone; 2.b. Juan Ponce de León; 3.b. 1822; 4th Shipwrecks salvaged and fished; 5. c. 220 miles; 6c. a hurricane; 7. c. the overseas highway; 8.b. Key Largo; 9th more than 600; 10.b. Underwater Park.
See how you did it:
9-10 Fair: Great job. You are the keymaster.
6-8 fair: Pretty good. You may not be in key master status, but you’re not too out of tune.
3-5 Fair: Well, at least you know the Florida Keys aren’t used for starting cars, right? RIGHT?
less than three: Sorry, but you’d better stay on dry land.