Boot Key facts for kids
Looking north over Boot Key Harbor
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 Boot Key
Location in Florida
Boot Key
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Gulf of Mexico |
| Coordinates | 24°41′46″N 81°06′07″W / 24.696°N 81.102°W |
| Archipelago | Florida Keys |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Florida Straits |
| Administration | |
| State | Florida |
| County | Monroe |
Boot Key is a small island in the middle Florida Keys. It is very close to Key Vaca. This island is part of the city of Marathon, Florida, in the United States.
Most of Boot Key is still undeveloped, meaning it does not have many buildings. There used to be a drawbridge connecting Boot Key to Key Vaca. However, the city took it down in 2010 because it was no longer safe.
Protecting Boot Key
Boot Key has been kept safe from new buildings since 2011. This protection comes from a program called the Coastal & Estuarine Land Conservation Program. This program is run by NOAA, which stands for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They help protect important coastal areas.
Radio Marti Broadcasts
Right next to Boot Key, there is a piece of land about 38-acre (15 ha) in size. From this spot, the United States government sends out radio broadcasts. This radio station is called Radio Marti. It shares news and information with people living in Cuba.
Nature and Wildlife
Boot Key is a great place for watching birds, especially hawks! Every fall, people gather on the island for a "hawk watch." This is when they observe many different types of hawks as they fly south for the winter. It's a fun way to see these amazing birds.
Education for Kids
If you live on Boot Key, you would attend schools in the Monroe County School District. Students from Boot Key are assigned to Stanley Switick Elementary School. This school teaches students from kindergarten all the way through 8th grade. It is located in Marathon, Florida.
