Conch Republic
in Key West, United StatesCategory: Attraction
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1800 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040, USA Print route »
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The Conch Republic is a micronation declared as a tongue-in-cheek secession of the city of Key West, Florida, from the United States on April 23, 1982. It has been maintained as a tourism booster for the city since. Since then, the term "Conch Republic" has been expanded to refer to "all of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County, Florida, northward to 'Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon' in Florida City, Dade County, Florida, with Key West as the nation's capital and all territories north of Key West being referred to as 'The Northern Territories'".While the protests that sparked the creation of the Conch Republic (and others since then) have been described by some as "tongue-in-cheek," they were motivated by frustrations over genuine concerns. The original protest event was motivated by a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock and checkpoint that greatly inconvenienced residents and tourists.The Conch Republic celebrates Independence Day every April 23 as part of a week-long festival of activities involving numerous businesses in Key West. The organization — a "Sovereign State of Mind", seeking only to bring more "Humor, Warmth and Respect" to a world in sore need of all three according to its Secretary General, Peter Anderson — is a key tourism booster for the area.The official stringed instrument of The Conch Republic is the Conchalele. The Rock Lives On Millionaire Gallery, on Duval Street in Key West, had one on display for a week in 2012. Bob MacPhail, a Speech Professor at Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Florida, is the creator of this instrument. David Herzog and Chuck Fox of the Island Time Band entertain with it touring throughout the Florida Keys and the Mid West.
