----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The postings about the U.S. Islands that are also counties has been an interesting break for me from a hectic mid-semester exam period full of crazy reference questions and stressed people. However, I am really curious what maps certain brave but misguided readers were viewing when they thought I should include the Florida Keys. At first I thought we simply had some practical jokers in the group but evidently they were serious. For those deprived people who have never visited the Florida Keys, they are in Monroe County which includes a "small" mainland national park "called the "Everglades". There were some newspaper articles written before the attempt at a cross- Florida barge canal was abandoned that relate to this. The articles stated when the last shovel of dirt was dug the entire southern part of the state would break away. It would become a floating island in the Caribbean where no one was allowed to think serious thoughts. It would be an independent country with no government officials or agencies. To become a citizen, one must:(1)like orange juice and mangos (2) know what "shellshocked" and "sand in your shoes" really means; (3) love Cuban or Steel Drum music; and (4) know the difference between a jetski, a parasail, a sailboat and a Hobe Cat. The oath of residency was to know all the words to "Margaritaville". The island would have an offical rodent called Mickey and an official reptile called Gator. There was a lot more to the editorials but the outcome of all of this was that the people of North Florida would not function without their beloved southern rivals. So, I heard they sent the newspaper columnists to Nome, Alaska and allowed the "Conch Republic" to rejoin Florida. This may all sound like the ramblings of a Map Librarian who has had one too many people asking her to teach them GPS and GIS in an hour. However, I have a map related question. During the 1980's when these articles were written, supposedly there was a map published in a U.S. news magazine showing the expected geography/topography of the new country. There was even an inset of what would be the new configuration of the Caribbean if the floating country crashed into a landmass and became part of that political area. Also this map was supposedly reprinted in a larger format and sold separately. I read the original newspaper article but have only the word of a fairly reputable scholar that these maps exist. After searching over four years for the maps, I am now appealing to the MAPS-L readers for help. My search has involved online library catalogs and magazine indexes; Florida bibliographies, publishers catalogs, visits to Lib. of Congress, archives, historical collections and map sales. I have not found even a mention of the original newspaper article, much less the map. Our library collects and maintains the Cartographic repository of published maps of Florida. We have over 500,000 maps of the World and another 300,000 aerial photographs and satellite imagery. Even the most esoteric of these items has been easier to locate than the elusive south Florida island map. I would greatly appreciate any clues you might give me in this treasure hunt. Unfortunately the only concrete information we have is that the article was in the 1980's and it appeared in a large Florida city newspaper. The patron request has no time limit but the maps would assist a publishing project as well as me,in keeping my sanity! Thank you all for any assistance you might provide me. HelenJane Armstrong Head, Map & Imagery Library University of Florida P.S. If any of the international List readers, would like clarification of the expressions or attitudes expressed in the amplified article, you can reach me at the address listed below: [log in to unmask]