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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:
 
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