Traveling down the Ocean Highway into the Lower Keys, you come to Big Pine Key, covered largely by pinelands and home to tiny Key deer.

Finally, at the southernmost end of the Lower Keys, you arrive in the capital of the "Conch Republic" -- Key West -- with its eclectic architecture, spectacular sunsets, nonstop nightlife, artists, museums, and theaters.A laid back yet cosmopolitan city, Key West has luxury real estate for all tastes, from restored homes to magnificent mansions.

Upper Keys:

The Ocean Reef Club, a prestigious gated community, sits at the northern end of Key Largo, the largest of the picturesque Florida Keys. Accessible by land, sea or private planes, the club offers luxury estates in a setting that boasts two challenging 18-hole golf courses, tennis, boating, fishing and diving.

A dozen miles south of the club is the "town" of Key Largo, the second most populous town in the Keys. Key Largo's claim to fame as the world's "diving capital" is based on the magnificent coral reef system that parallels the Keys on the Atlantic side. Some of the best charter captains and fishing guides also work out of Key Largo. The combination of world-class diving and fishing, together with its proximity to the mainland, have produced a boom in development of luxury waterfront estates and condos.

Tavernier, immediately south of Key Largo, is a quiet community with luxury waterfront homes that give boaters easy access to both Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and fun-lovers easy access to the activities of Key Largo and Islamorada.

Next come thee four islands of Islamorada, known as the "Sportfishing Capital of the World." Islamorada features ultraluxury waterfront condominiums as well as magnificent oceanfront and bayfront estates.

Middle Keys:

All of the Middle Keys are cconsidered part of the unincorporated City of Marathon, which is the third most populous community in the Keys. Marathon is the only place other than Key West with an airport that has scheduled air service.

Marathon features a growing selection of luxury homes that either overlook white sandy Atlantic Beaches or feature docks for your boat on the Gulf of Mexico.

Lower Keys:

The city of Key West, whose economy depends almost solely on tourism, is in the midst of a tremendous boom that has seen real estate prices quintuple in the course of a decade. More than one-quarter of the properties currently listed for sale in Key West are priced at more than $1 million, with half-century-old homes in Old Town -- as well as luxury waterfront estates -- selling for $3 million and more.

While some worry that surging development is a threat to the unique character of Key West, others contend that the city has never been more prosperous or times better. Certainly, there is something for nearly everyone in Key West. Museums, diving, fishing, historic buildings, fine restaurants, a growing art district, and shopping and more shopping are all at your doorstep.