The keys were originally inhabited by such Native American peoples as the and Tequesta. The Spanish explorer visited.... kei long

Largest of the keys is Key Largo, about 30 miles (50 km) long and formerly known for its plantations of key limes (used to make key lime pies). It is some 25 miles (40 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide and lies along Key Largo's east coast. Long Key State Park is on Long Key, just southwest of Islamorada. , a short distance south of Miami Beach, includes several of the northernmost keys, and most of the keys in Florida Bay are within . The keys are protected by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, established in 1990, which covers an area of some 3,600 square miles (9,300 square km). Much of the northern area of the lower keys has been designated the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge, and another refuge is located immediately west of Key West. Big Pine Key, largest of the lower keys, is a refuge for the tiny key deer and has unusual displays of cacti. kei long