Key, or Kei, Islands

Key, or Kei, Islands, a small group in the East Indies, lying S. of Dutch New Guinea and NE. of Timor, consists of Great Key, Little Key, and some smaller islets. Total area, 680 sq. m. Pop. about 20,000, Malays and Alfueros; three-fourths on Great Key. This is a long narrow island, stretching north to south, volcanic in origin, and with a rocky, hilly surface that rises to nearly 3000 feet. Little Key, situated to the west of Great Key, is of coral formation, and lies low; it is said to have made its appearance in the middle of the 19th century during an earthquake disturbance. All the islands are covered with dense jungle. Valuable timber is the chief product. Fishing is the chief occupation; and bêche-de-mer is gathered. The group has been in the hands of the Dutch since 1645. See G. Langen in Proc. Roy. Geog. Soc. (1888), and Scot. Geog. Mag. (1888 and 1890).—The islets of the Bahama group in North America are called generally keys or cays (Span., 'rocks' or 'reefs').