The U.S. Virgin Islands offer visitors a pleasing blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Located in the Lesser Antilles between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the territory includes about 50 islands and cays, the largest of which are St Croix, St Thomas and St John. With a total area of 134sq.mi/352sq.km, the U.S. Virgin islands feature a mountainous terrain of tropical forests, sandy beaches and rocky coves.
The official language of the territory is English, however Creole patois and Spanish are also spoken. The territory capital is Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St Thomas.
The islands offer a comfortable, sub-tropical climate although tropical storms are common from July to October. The largest free port in the Caribbean, several cruise ships visit St John, St Thomas and St Croix each week.
Popular activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands include hiking, diving, snorkelling, fishing, kayaking and other water-sports. There are numerous historical attractions, including several restored and ruined plantations as well as the historical districts of Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted and Frederiksted. Danish colonial architecture is abundant on St Thomas and St Croix.
Travellers interested in ecotourism will find an oasis on St John, two-thirds of which is designated as the Virgin Islands National Park. Just off St Croix lies Buck Island Reef National Monument, the United States' first marine sanctuary established by President John F Kennedy in 1961. Also known for excellent shopping, the U.S. Virgin Islands offers each visitor a large duty-free allowance to spend on fine items such as art, jewellery, clothing and china.
St Thomas, St Croix, and St John have different histories, however the island group does share some common characteristics. First populated by the Ciboney Indian group c2000 BC, other native groups such as the Taíno and Carib inhabited the islands for 3,000 years until the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1493. Many of the native groups were either killed or driven away during occupations by the Spanish, English, Danish and French.
Denmark purchased the islands in 1733, uniting the three islands under Danish colonial rule. In subsequent years the islands prospered from the sugar industry and the slave trade, but not without their share of damage resulting from hurricanes and slave revolts. In 1917 the U.S. purchased St Thomas, St Croix, and St John from Denmark for $25 million in gold.
The U.S. Virgin Islands remain an American territory governed by U.S. laws. Normally hosting 2 million visitors a year, tourism is the primary economic activity in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tourism accounts for more than 70% of the GDP and 70% of employment for the islands' residents.
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