Visiting US Virgin Islands
For travel guide for US Virgin Islands and practical advice regarding eating, drinking, shopping, how to get around, price levels on lodging and holiday accomodation
(e.g. hotels, vacation rentals by owner, b&b's, vacation rental homes, holiday villas, condos, cabins, hostels, self-catering cottages) and safety hints
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US Virgin Islands facts, geography & history
Facts
Government: Territory.
Population (est.): 108,500.
Capital, population (est.): Charlotte Amalie (on St. Thomas), 11,025.
Language: English (official) and French patois.
Monetary unit: U.S. dollar.
Geography
The U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, about 50 miles east of Puerto Rico. The territory consists of four main
islands: Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint Croix, and Water Island, as well as several dozen smaller islands. The combined land area of the islands is
roughly twice the size of Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for their white sand beaches, including Magens Bay and Trunk Bay, and strategic harbors, including Charlotte Amalie and
Christiansted. Most of the islands, including Saint Thomas, are volcanic in origin and hilly. The highest point is Crown Mountain, Saint Thomas (474m).
Saint Croix, the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, lies to the south and has a flatter terrain. The National Park Service owns more than half of Saint
John, nearly all of Hassel Island, and many acres of coral reef. (See also Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument,
Buck Island Reef National Monument, Christiansted National Historic Site, and Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.)
The Virgin Islands lie on the boundary of the North American plate and the Caribbean Plate. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tropical cyclones, and
tsunamis..........
Adopted from and read more at:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Virgin_Islands
History
If you are interested in this country's history, please take a look
here. |