The U.S. Virgin Islands are islands in the Caribbean Sea, an unincorporated territory of the United States. The islands were a possession of France from 1650 until 1733. On June 13, 1733, France sold the island group to the Danish West Indies Company. For nearly 200 years, the islands were known as the Danish West Indies. The U.S. Virgin Islands and the Danish West Indies Company were sold to the United States by Denmark in the Treaty of the Danish West Indies of 1916, in exchange for a sum of US$25,000,000 in gold.
St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, being 28 by 7 miles (45 by 11 km). It is the eastern most point of the United States and tends to have a fairly consistent climate (generally between 73-88 degrees F) year round. The terrain is fairly rugged with rolling steep hills. The main language in English, followed by Spanish and French.
St. Thomas is the second largest and is the main island of the U.S. Virgin Islands. St. Thomas is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea 64 kilometers (40 miles) east of Puerto Rico. With a maximum elevation of 1,550 feet (474 meters), the volcanic island is arranged in an east-west series of rocky hills with sparse vegetation. The average temperature is 78 °F (26 °C), with variations between 70 and 90 °F (21 and 32 °C). Situated on hill slopes midway along the southern coast, Charlotte Amalie serves as the capital.
The smallest of the three major US Virgin Islands is St. John, at 50 km2 (19 sq. mi) with 3,881 residents. Maximum temperatures average between 82°F and 84°F, while minimum averages revolve around 70°F (21.1°C) to 73°F (22.8°C).It lies roughly four miles east of Saint Thomas, which is home to Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the territory. Since 1956, the Virgin Islands National Park has protected around 60% of the island.
All the islands have popular attractions and historical sites. Some for each island include:
St. Croix
- Buck Island Reef National Monument
- Christiansted National Historic Site
- Green Cay National Wildlife Refuge
- Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Point Udall
St. Thomas
- Coral World Ocean Park
- Turtle Cove Catamaran Snorkel
- Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden
- Black Beards Castle
- Fort Christian
- Three Queens Statue
St. John
- Annaberg Sugar Mill
- Catherineberg Ruins
- Cinnamon Bay Ruins
- Peace Hill
- Ancient Petroglyphs Trail
- Virgin Islands National Park
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PARADISE
The history of the U.S. Virgin Islands is as rich as its people. Columbus was given credit for discovering the United States Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World in 1493. In the centuries that followed, the islands were ruled by the English, Dutch, French, Spanish, Knights of Malta, and Danes. In 1917, during World War One, the United States bought the islands from Denmark for $25,000,000 in gold. All those who visited the islands left their unique signature and, today, the U.S. Virgin Islands are one of the most diverse and exciting cultural blends in the Caribbean.
The Difference US Ownership of the Islands Makes
The US Territorial status of the islands has made for an interesting mix of the familiar and the exotic. The US Flag gives us a climate of political stability, the ability to own property here without restriction (unlike many of the other Caribbean destinations), and the security of knowing that our rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States are unchanged by our move to Paradise.
FROM U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:
Our unique culture and history reflect the West African, Danish, Spanish, Irish, Polish, and German heritage of those who have made the U.S. Virgin Islands their home since the late 1400’s. The rhythms and lyrics of Virgin Islands’ music–including calypso, cariso, soca, reggae, and steel pan melodies–are colorful reminders of our past. Virgin Islanders also express themselves in painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography. The great Impressionist Camille Pissarro is just one of the Virgin Islands’ distinguished artists.
Festivals
Island traditions come alive during celebrations throughout the year. The Three Kings’ Day festival on St. Croix, St. John’s Fourth of July celebration, and St. Thomas’ annual Carnival are just three examples of the dozens of special events that take place each year. However, on any given day, visitors can catch a glimpse of the unique culture of the islands.