Boca Chica Key

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / image missing template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / surface missing template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing

Boca Chica Key is an island that belongs to the Lower Florida Keys. The name comes from Spanish and means something like " small mouth ". The island is located in the east and southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico to the north and the Straits of Florida to the south.

U.S. 1 (or the Overseas Highway ) crosses the island at MM 6.5-8, east of Key West.

Geology

Boca Chica Key is nearly 4.5 km long and 2.3 km wide. The island is covered with a thin layer of topsoil interspersed with sediments from the tidal difference. The lower layer consists of lime, mixed with coral and marl. The vegetation is limited to dense mangroves and individual clusters of small trees; the exception of grassland with individual coconut trees.

Use

The island is home to the largest naval base (NAS Key West ) in South Florida.