United States Virgin Islands

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region – North America
• Currency symbol of _ United States Dollar, $
• Capital City – Charlotte Amalie
• Official languages – English
• Population – 106,977 (2018)
• Country dialling code  –  (+ 1 )
• Official website – United States Virgin Islands
• Top 3 biggest industries  – Tourism, trade, services, and rum production.
• Google Maps link –United States Virgin Islands
• Where is it? – United States Virgin Islands, also called U.S. Virgin Islands, organized unincorporated island territory of the United States, situated at the eastern end of the Greater Antilles, about 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico, in the northeastern Caribbean Sea.

---

United States Virgin Islands In Pictures

---

United States Virgin Islands History

• How did the country get its first name? – The islands were named “Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vergennes” by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after the legend of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? –  The island was inhabited from around 1000 BC by the Arawaks and Ciboney. In 1493, Christopher Columbus was the first European to visit these islands.
• Who were the first Inhabitants? – Early inhabitants of the Virgin Islands included the Ciboney, Arawak’s, and Island Caribs.
• When it was first recognized as a country? – These Islands are a territory of the United States.
• Who was the first leader of the country? –In 1970, Virgin Islanders elected their first governor, Melvin H. Evans, and from 1976 the islands began work on creating their own constitution.

---

Five Significant Events 

1. Supplication Day: They decided to start hurricane season on fourth Monday of July. (https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events)
2. Island Purchased by Danish Company: France sold islands to Danish West Indian Company. (https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events)
3. The Purchase of Island by Danish King: Danish King Fredrick v purchased Island in 1753. (https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events)
4. Emancipation Day: Transfer of ownership from Denmark to United States. (https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events)
5. Fire Burn: Protests were conducted against labor laws. (https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events)

---

Five Places to Visit in United States Virgin Islands

1. Virgin Islands National Park, St. John: A Caribbean jewel, Virgin Islands National park attracts more than one million visitors each year, making it the single largest tourist attraction in the entire archipelago. Laurence Rockefeller donated 5,000 acres of land to establish the National Park in 1956. Today, the park covers two-thirds of the emerald island of St. John and includes hiking trails, protected bays, stunning beaches, underwater sea gardens, petroglyphs, and the ruins of historic sugar mills. The Reef Bay Guided Hike, one of St. John’s most popular walking trails, is a great way to explore some of these attractions. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/united-states-virgin-islands-uvi.htm)
2. Trunk Bay Beach & Underwater Snorkel Trail, St. John: Nestled in the Virgin Islands National Park, Trunk Bay’s long and arching curve of creamy sand and turquoise water is the most photographed beach on St. John. Fringed by sea grapes and coconut palms, this is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkeling Trail lies just offshore from the spit of land jutting out into the bay. In the crystal clear waters here, you can spot up to 30 different species of fish. Underwater signposts label key features of the coral reef. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/united-states-virgin-islands-uvi.htm)
3. Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix: Beautiful Buck Island and its surrounding sea gardens are one of the most visited attractions on St. Croix. Lying 1.5 miles off the northeast coast of St. Croix, in the center of a vast marine sanctuary, Buck Island Reef was guaranteed protection when U.S. President John F. Kennedy named it the first U.S. underwater national monument in 1961. The reef here features elkhorn coral grottoes and is one of the best dive sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Along the marked trail, snorkelers and divers may spot many tropical fish such as blue tang and barracuda.(https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/united-states-virgin-islands-uvi.htm)
4. Magens Bay, St. Thomas: Fringed by green hills and coconut palms, Magens Bay has been named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by many travel publications. The sea is calm along the horseshoe-shaped bay and excellent for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and other water sports. Also in the Magens Bay watershed, the Tropical Discovery Hike, leads participants through a 75-acre preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy. This unique area includes diverse habitats, ranging from dry forest hilltops to mangrove wetlands with numerous native and migratory bird species. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/united-states-virgin-islands-uvi.htm)
5. Cruz Bay, St. John: Set in a yacht-filled harbor backed by steep hills, Cruz Bay is the “downtown” of St. John. Until the 1970s, Cruz Bay was a quiet customs port without much activity. Today, the small town of around 3,000 people has evolved into a hip center, acquiring the nickname “Love City.” Many options for shopping and dining are found among the pastel-colored houses dotting the hills on the outskirts of the village, and the town is a launching point for excursions to Virgin Islands National Park. (https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/united-states-virgin-islands-uvi.htm)

---

References: 

• https://sites.google.com/site/ljvihistory/significant-events
• https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/united-states-virgin-islands-uvi.htm