Location
The United States Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, about 90 miles 9140km) east of Puerto Rico. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago located in the leeward islands of the Lesser Antilles. The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas, along with the much smaller Water Island.

Size
Total area is 346.36 sq. km (133.73 sq. miles)
St. Croix is the largest at 84 sq. miles

History
The Virgin Islands were originally settled by the Ciboney, Carib and Arawaks. The islands were named by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. Over the next three hundred years, the islands were held by many European powers, including Spain, Britain, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark-Norway. The Danish West India company settled on St. Thomas in 1672, St. John in 1694 and purchased St. Croix from France in 1733. The islands became royal Danish colonies in 1754. The onset of WWI brought reforms for revitalization and fearing German occupancy, the US stepped in and approached Denmark with a view to buying them. On January 17, 1917 the Virgin Islands were purchased for a price of $25 million. U.S. citizenship was granted to the inhabitants of the islands in 1927. In 1996, 50 acres of Water Island was transferred to the territorial government. The remaining 200 acres of the island were purchased from the US Department of the Interior in May 2005 for $10, a transaction, which marked the official change in jurisdiction.

Population
108,448

Capital
Charlotte Amalie located on St. Thomas

Government
The U.S. Virgin Islands are an organized, unincorporated United States territory. Even though they are U.S. citizens, Virgin Island residents cannot vote in presidential elections. They may, however vote in presidential primary elections. At the national level, the U.S. Virgin Islands elects a delegate to Congress from its at-large congressional district. However, the elected delegate, while able to vote in committee, cannot participate in floor votes. At the territorial level, 15 senators are elected for two-year terms to the Virgin Islands Legislature. The U.S. Virgin Islands has elected a territorial governor every four years since 1970.

Language
English is the primary language but some Spanish is spoken

Climate
Average daytime temperature 78 degrees F in winter and 82 degrees F in summer, low humidity.

Tourism Activities & Sightseeing
St. Croix: Old Danish towns of Christiansted and Frederiksted. Tropical secondary forest; Heritage Trail, aerial sightseeing charter, safari tours, hiking tours, Whim Plantation Great House Museum. Carl & Marie Lawaetz Family Museum at Little La Grange. St. Croix Leap, Oceanique semi submersible underwater excursion, Cruzan Rum Factory tour. Boasts two 18-hole golf courses. A day trip out to the Buck Island Reef National Monument which is on a marked snorkel trail. St John: Cruz Bay National Park Visitor Center, Elaine Ione Sprauve Library and Museum, Annaberg Plantation Ruins, Bordeaux Mountain. This small island is a nature-lovers paradise with two-thirds falling within the boundaries of the 9,485 acre Virgin Islands national park. The underwater Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument has federally owned submerged coral reefs for snorkeling and diving. St. Thomas: Fort Christian, Emancipation Park, Legislature Building and Government House, Frederick Lutheran Church, Blackbeard's Castle, Market Square, Tillet Gardens, Magens Bay & Drake's Seat, "World Famous" Mountain Top, Estate St. Peter Great House & Botanical Gardens, Atlantis Submarine, Coral World, Paradise Point Tramway, V.I. Kayak ECO Tours. Trade in St. Thomas is a specialty dating back to Pirate days. You'll see this theme throughout the islands in restaurants and duty-free shops. Charlotte Amalie is a bustling cruise port and also has a mega-yacht facility with chic international shops. Postcard-perfect beaches such as Magens Bay Golfing at Mahogany Run known for its challenging trio of Cliffside holes called the Devil's Triangle

Airports
St. Thomas: Cyril E. King International Airport (STT).
St. Croix: Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport. (STX)

Currency
United States dollar (USD)

Electricity
Electricity is 120 Volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second.

Time zone
GMT-4

Driving
On the left.

Flag

The Official Website of the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
www.usvitourism.vi