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Quiz about Key West Florida
Quiz about Key West Florida

Key West, Florida Trivia Quiz


Some fun and interesting facts about the capital of the Conch Republic.

A multiple-choice quiz by wjames. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
wjames
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
368,040
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
442
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 165 (7/10), Guest 162 (9/10), Linda_Arizona (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which major city is closest to Key West, Florida? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The central business and tourism district of Key West centers on which street? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which European explorer was the first to visit what became Key West, Florida? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. The US claimed the Florida Keys in 1822 and made Key West a military strong point that became known as the "Gibraltar of the West". Key West sits at the northern end of the narrowest point of which strategic trade route? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The term "conch" was used as early as the 1900s to refer to residents of Key West who were of European origin. Today, what two aquatic adjectives are added to "conch" to indicate native-born vs. long-time-resident conchs? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which side controlled Key West during the American Civil War? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which mode of transportation provided the major link between Key West and mainland Florida in the period 1912-1935? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. A neighborhood and military installation in Key West bear the name of which US President that had his "Winter White House" there? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In response to the Mariel Boat Lift in 1982, the US Border Patrol set up a roadblock in the northern Florida Keys to attempt to catch illegal immigrants from Cuba. In protest, Key West declared its "independence" and took which name? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Key West has more than doubled in size since the 1940s due to what? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Oct 30 2024 : Guest 165: 7/10
Oct 15 2024 : Guest 162: 9/10
Oct 04 2024 : Linda_Arizona: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which major city is closest to Key West, Florida?

Answer: Havana, Cuba

Havana is only 106 miles in a straight line from Key West. The next nearest major city, Miami, is 129 straight-line miles or 160 by car. The closest point of Cuba from Key West is only 94 miles.
2. The central business and tourism district of Key West centers on which street?

Answer: Duval St.

Duval Street runs north-south for just over a mile, connecting the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic Ocean. The southern end is more residential, with a mix of stately mansions and bungalows, while the northern end caters to the cruise ship trade and other tourists.
3. Which European explorer was the first to visit what became Key West, Florida?

Answer: Juan Ponce de Leon

Juan Ponce de Leon was a member of Columbus' second expedition to the New World in 1493, and eventually became governor of Puerto Rico. In 1513 he received a royal charter to explore for lands rumored to be to the north; he landed in what is now Florida and explored the Keys in May 1513.
4. The US claimed the Florida Keys in 1822 and made Key West a military strong point that became known as the "Gibraltar of the West". Key West sits at the northern end of the narrowest point of which strategic trade route?

Answer: Straits of Florida

The Straits of Florida narrows to 94 miles between Key West and Cuba, making Key West a good location for naval forces that were, in 1822, active against piracy, slave traders and smugglers. In modern times, Key West remains an important base of operations against the smuggling of drugs and migrants.
5. The term "conch" was used as early as the 1900s to refer to residents of Key West who were of European origin. Today, what two aquatic adjectives are added to "conch" to indicate native-born vs. long-time-resident conchs?

Answer: Saltwater / Freshwater

Saltwater Conchs refers to native-born Key Westers, while Freshwater Conchs were born elsewhere but have lived in Key West for at least seven years. The term "conch" originally applied to Bahamians of European descent, many of whom moved to the Keys after the American Revolution, taking the term with them.
6. Which side controlled Key West during the American Civil War?

Answer: Union

Although Florida seceded and became part of the Confederacy, Key West remained in Union control due to the presence of a large Navy base and Fort Zachary Taylor. Many locals sympathized with the Confederacy, but the conflict never resulted in any major battles or skirmishes.
7. Which mode of transportation provided the major link between Key West and mainland Florida in the period 1912-1935?

Answer: Railroad

The Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) extended to Key West in 1912. A hurricane in September 1935 destroyed most of the railway and the FEC could not afford to rebuild due to the Great Depression. The federal government built an automobile highway over the railroad route, finishing US Highway 1 in 1938.
8. A neighborhood and military installation in Key West bear the name of which US President that had his "Winter White House" there?

Answer: Truman

President Harry Truman spent 175 days over 11 visits in Key West, first visiting on advice of his doctor for a vacation in a warm spot. Truman realized that with modern communications and air travel, he could continue to conduct the nation's business while away from Washington, DC.
9. In response to the Mariel Boat Lift in 1982, the US Border Patrol set up a roadblock in the northern Florida Keys to attempt to catch illegal immigrants from Cuba. In protest, Key West declared its "independence" and took which name?

Answer: Conch Republic

The Conch Republic is celebrated each April 23rd with parades and parties. The name Conch Republic remains popular with locals, and tourists buy a lot of Conch Republic merchandise.
10. Key West has more than doubled in size since the 1940s due to what?

Answer: Landfill

The New Town area in the eastern part of Key West was built on landfill and contains the Key West airport, residences and shopping. Old Town in the west is built on more stable rock and coral, and contains the stately old mansions of the Key West Historic District.
Source: Author wjames

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