United States Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands America's Caribbean Paradise The United States Virgin Islands (commonly called the U. S. Virgin Islands or USVI) are a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular territory of the United States of America (commonly called US). The U. S. Virgin Islands has all the beauty of the Caribbean with all of the conveniences of the US. The USVI are known for their white sand beaches, strategic harbors and rum production. English is the official language. The currency is the US dollar. The voltage is the same as the US mainland utilizing type A electrical receptacles. Best of all, passports are not required for US citizens traveling to the USVI. USVI Facts Communication U.S. Virgin Islands mail service is handled by the United States Postal Service , using the two-character state code "VI" for domestic mail delivery. Zip codes are in the 008xx range: 00801 to 00805 (St. Thomas), 00820 to 00824 (Christiansted), 00830 to 00831 (St.

John), 00840 to 00841 (Frederiksted) and 00850 to 00851 (Kingshill). UPS (United Postal Service), FedEx (Federal Express) and DHL Express also ship packages to and from the USVI. The U. S. Virgin Islands area code is 340. AT&T, Sprint, Choice, and Innovative are the most popular cell phone providers. Verizon, T-Mobile, and other cell phone services are available but international roaming charges may apply. There are local, national, and international internet service providers. Students and faculty typically use wireless network interface controllers to surf the internet using their AT&T or Sprint accounts. Free Wi-Fi is available to the UVI community on the UVI campuses. The islands have AM and FM radio stations (mostly on St. Thomas and St. Croix) broadcasting music, religious, and news programming. The U.S. Virgin Islands has 5 local television stations including PBS, ABC, CBS and NBC; extended cable and satellite television channels are also available. Newspapers include The Avis, The Virgin Islands Daily News , St. John Tradewinds , St. Thomas Source , St.

Croix Source and St. John Sun Times . Economy Tourism is the primary economic activity. The USVI normally host 2 million visitors a year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum storage, rum distilling, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most locally grown produce consisting of mangoes, bananas, coconuts, soursop, passion fruit, sugar apples, avocados, papayas, star fruit (carambola), pomegranates, limes, tamarinds, sea grapes, cucumbers, sapodilla (mespel) and bread fruit. International business and financial services are a small but growing within the 21st century economy. To draw more technology-focused companies and expand this segment of the economy, the government founded and launched the University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park in conjunction with private businesses and the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Education Head start, preschool, and K-12 public, private and parochial education are available in the USVI. The schools are accredited and adhere to local and federal education guidelines. There are a variety of afterschool and summer programs for children.

The Virgin Islands Public Library has a well-stocked collection of fiction, non-fiction and USVI archives. The University of the Virgin Islands is the U. S. Virgin Islands' only public, baccalaureate diverse institution of higher education. It is a land grant institution and a Historically Black College and University. The two campuses of UVI have a combined enrollment of approximately 2500 students. [ UVI Fact Sheet ] The institution offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate degrees across its five colleges and schools . UVI is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education . Top 10 enrolled majors: Click for a full list of all of UVI's majors, minors and concentrations. Geography The U. S. Virgin Islands are in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, about 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico and immediately west of the British Virgin Islands. The territory consists of four main islands: Saint Thomas (commonly called St. Thomas or Rock City), Saint John (commonly called St. John or Love City), Saint Croix (commonly called the St. Croix, Santa Cruz or Twin City) and Water Island, as well as several dozen smaller islands.

The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.4 km2). Most of the islands, including St. Thomas, are volcanic in origin and hilly. St. Croix, the largest of the U. S. Virgin Islands, lies to the south and has a flatter terrain. More than half of St. John is deeded to the US National Park Service. The U. S. Virgin Islands are located in the Atlantic Standard Time zone and do not participate in daylight saving time. When the mainland US is on Standard Time, the U. S. Virgin Islands are one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. When the mainland United States is on daylight saving time, Eastern Daylight Time is the same as Atlantic Standard Time. Governance The U. S. Virgin Islands are an organized, unincorporated United States territory. The U. S. Virgin Islands are organized under the US Revised Organic Act of 1954. Residents of the U. S. Virgin Islands are US citizens. At the national level, the U. S. Virgin Islands elect a delegate to Congress from their 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: seven from the district of St. Croix, seven from the district of St. Thomas and St. John, and one senator at-large from St. John. USVI senators are elected for two-year terms to the U. S. Virgin Islands Legislature. The U. S. Virgin Islands have elected a territorial governor every four years since 1970. Previous governors were appointed by the President of the United States of America. Holidays January - New Years Day, Three Kings Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day February - President's Day (The Agriculture Fair occurs on this weekend.) March - Transfer Day April - Easter, St. Thomas Carnival, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday May - Memorial Day July - Emancipation Day, Independence Day (St.

John Festival is held on both days.) September - Labor Day October - Virgin Islands Puerto Rico Friendship Day/Columbus Day, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day November - Liberty Day, David Hamilton Jackson Day also known as Bull and Bread Day, Fortsberg Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day December - Christmas, Crucian Festival (continues in January), Christmas Second Day (or Boxing Day) Population As of the census of 2010, the U. S. Virgin Islands included 106,405 people, 40,648 households, and 26,636 families. The racial makeup of the territory as of 2010, was 79.7% black or Afro-Caribbean, 7.1% white or Caucasian, 0.5% Asian and 12.7% mixed or other. [Source: UVI-Eastern Caribbean Center ] The USVI is made up of a rich diversity of people from around the world including eastern and western Caribbean, US mainland and European descents. Taxes USVI residents are not subject to US federal income taxes on U. S. Virgin Islands income.

However, the territorial tax managed by the VI Bureau of Internal Revenue mirrors US federal income tax codes. The U. S. Virgin Islands does not have a sales tax. Transportation The Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport (STX airport code) serves St. Croix and the Cyril E. King International Airport (STT airport code) serves St. Thomas and St. John. Flying time is approximately 3.5 hours from New York and 2.5 hours from Miami. The only way to get to St John or Water Island is by ferry from St Thomas; however, ferries operate between all the islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands are the only United States territory which drives on the left. Most cars being imported from the mainland United States are left-hand drive. There are plenty of car, scooter and motorcycle rental agencies available. Mass transit is available on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. Public transportation is available through VITRAN. On St. Thomas, safari taxi and dollar rides are available from UVI to east-end (Red Hook) and back. On St. Croix, taxi buses provide transportation from Christiansted to UVI and to Frederiksted.

Safari taxis are also available on St. John. Weather Temperatures are fairly consistent year round, with the hottest temperatures, during summer, in the 80s and 90s. The winter months are the coolest with temperatures ranging between 70 and mid 80s. The USVI residents enjoy a tropical wet-and-dry climate, affected by moderate trade winds. Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30. Late summer is the height of hurricane season in the USVI. Hurricane development is monitored; therefore, watches and warnings are given several days in advance. The last major hurricane that affected the USVI was Hurricane Marilyn in September 1995. Previously, there was Hurricane Hugo in September 1989. As a US territory, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) , Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) , and USVI National Guard reservist are available if assistance is needed. The University of the Virgin Islands is a learner-centered institution dedicated to the success of its students and committed to enhancing the lives of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean through excellent teaching , innovative research , and responsive community service .

UVI is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Learn more about UVI ... Us Virgin Isles - Bird Watching,Resources for Bird Watching by the Fat Birder Fatbirder - linking birders worldwide... Wildlife Travellers see our sister site: WAND Us Virgin Isles Bananaquit Coereba flaveola &#169Don Faulkner - Wikipedia Website The United States Virgin Islands is a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas, along with the much smaller but historically distinct Water Island, and many other surrounding minor islands. The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.4 km2). As of the 2000 census the population was 108,612. The U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, about 90 miles (140 km) 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 (1,555 ft/474 m). 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 hurricanes. Contributor U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St.

John, St. Croix) | Flickr U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix) 10 years ago Group Description 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. Additional Info Accepted content types: Photos, Videos, Images, Art, Screenshots Accepted safety levels: Safe Virgin Islands Map - Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas, Tortola, Virgin Gorda The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The United States Virgin Islands, former Danish West Indies, is an unincorporated territory of the US. The capital is Charlotte Amalie. Geography of US Virgin Islands - World Atlas Print this map The territory consists of three main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint John , Saint Croix, as well as several dozen smaller islands.

Most of the islands, including Saint Thomas , are volcanic in origin and quite hilly. The highest point is Crown Mountain on Saint Thomas at 1,555 ft (474 m). Saint Croix , the largest of the US Virgin Islands, has a much flatter terrain. Scattered streams help drain the islands, and coral reefs and white sand beaches are common. Lighthouses of the U.S. Virgin Islands Lighthouses of the U.S. Virgin Islands The Virgin Islands of the United States is a former Danish colony, the Danish West Indies, purchased by the United States from Denmark in 1917. The territory includes three principal islands, St. Thomas , St. John , and St. Croix , plus a large number of islets and cays. The population is about 110,000. Shortly before the change in sovereignty, Denmark built two lighthouses in the colony. These two lights are among the most endangered of all U.S. lighthouses today. The U.S. installed a third light at Fort Louise Augusta near Christiansted, St.

Croix, and the photo below by Shawn and Kris McCourt proves that this lighthouse still stands (special thanks to Shawn's father, George McCourt, for sending this photo). A fourth light was at Muhlenfeldt Point, the southeastern entrance to the harbor of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Nothing remains of this light station. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights . Admiralty numbers are from Volume J of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. USCG numbers are from Volume III of the U.S. Coast Guard Light List, and U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 110. General Sources Navigation chart for the islands. Buck Island Light, St. Thomas, August 2011 Flickr Creative Commons photo by pirata_cofresi St. Thomas Lighthouses Savana Island Date unknown. Active; focal plane 300 ft (91 m); white flash every 4 s. Described by USCG only as a "white tower," no tower height given. No photo available, and Google has only a distant satellite view .

Savana is an rugged island about 1 mi (1.6 km ) long and about 3 miles (5 km) off the eastern tip of St. Thomas. Located nearVirgin Point, the southwestern tip of the island. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Admiralty J5610; USCG 3-31690; NGA 14604. Buck Island (1) 1913. Inactive since the mid 1990s. 25 ft (8 m) square steel tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small service room. The lighthouse was painted white and the lantern black, although nearly all the paint has weathered off the rusty building. A photo is at the top of this page, Jeff Johnson has a 2009 closeup photo , a 2007 view from the sea is available, the Coast Guard has a historic photo , and Google has a satellite view . This lighthouse was built by the Danish government shortly before the islands became a U.S. territory in 1917.

Critically endangered, the lighthouse was added to the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List in April 2004. Located at the highest point of Buck Island, about 3 mi (5 km) south of St. Thomas. The island has been a wildlife refuge since 1969. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Owner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Site manager: Buck Island National Wildlife Refuge . ARLHS VIR-002. Buck Island (2) 1990s. Active; focal plane 139 ft (42 m); white flash every 4 s. Approx. 40 ft (12 m) square cylindrical steel skeletal tower. A photo is at the top of this page, and a 2007 view from the sea is available. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouse. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty J5628; USCG 3-32565; NGA 14632. St. Croix Lighthouses Hams Bluff (1) 1915. Inactive since about 2010. Approx.

35 ft (10.5 m) cast iron tower. Two 1-story concrete keeper's houses are now owned by the U.S. Navy. A photo is at right, Aaron Paden has a 2009 photo , Marinas.com has an aerial photo , a distant view is available, the Coast Guard also has a historic photo , and Google has a 2016 street view and a satellite view . This lighthouse was built by the Danish government shortly before the islands became a U.S. territory in 1917. Clearly endangered by poor maintenance, the lighthouse was added to the Lighthouse Digest Doomsday List in April 2004. The Coast Guard Historian site says the lighthouse was deactivated in the mid 1990s, but Stanley Sneed has a 2007 photo showing the lighthouse still in service. Located on the northwestern coast of St. Croix, marking the approach to the harbor of Fredericksted. Site open, tower closed (although land access was previously closed to the public, it appears from Google's street views that the lighthouse is now accessible by hiking the service road from the end of Hams Bluff Road).

Site manager: U.S. Navy. ARLHS VIR-001; Admiralty J5640; USCG 3-32845; NGA 14656. Hams Bluff (2) 2010 (?). Active; focal plane 394 ft (120 m); two white flashes, separated by 10 s, every 30 s. Approx. 30 ft (9 m) square cylindrical skeletal tower. The new tower is behind the old one in the photo at right, and Alex Bunjes has a 2011 photo that also shows both towers. Located adjacent to the historic lighthouse. Hams Bluff Light, St. Croix, March 2014 Wikipedia Creative Commons photo by Eoghanacht * Fort Louise Augusta (Christiansted Entrance Range Front) (1) 1919 (station established 1857). Inactive since 1931. 1-story concrete keeper's house, formerly with a lantern mounted at one end. Building painted white with a red corrugated metal roof.

The active range light (focal plane 45 ft (13.5 m); quick-flashing white light) is mounted on a 17 ft (5 m) square skeletal tower next to the house. Shawn and Kris McCourt contributed the photo at right, Don Wiss has posted a panorama of Christiansted harbor in which the active lighthouse appears at the far right, the Coast Guard has a photo of the lighthouse in its original form, and Google has a satellite view . The rear light is on a skeletal mast of unknown height seen in a second Google satellite view . The original light here was shown from a mast on the fort. Located on a promontory at the north end of Christiansted harbor. Accessible by road; the McCourts report the site is not easy to find, so local assistance is suggested. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: unknown. ARLHS VIR-006; Admiralty J5642; USCG 3-32870; NGA 14664. Information available on lost lighthouses: Berg Hill Range Front (?-?), Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. This light has been replaced by a small skeletal tower.

USCG 3-32575; Admiralty J5618; NGA 14624. Muhlenfeldt Point (1844-?), St. Thomas (see also the postcard view of the 1912 lighthouse posted by Huelse). The site of this lighthouse is occupied now by a Marriott beach resort. ARLHS VIR-005. Notable faux lighthouses: Christiansted Watchtower (ca. 1679), St. Croix. This historic tower on the Christiansted waterfront is often mistaken for a lighthouse. As far as is known, it never carried a navigation light. Fort Louise Augusta Light, St. Croix, April 2008 photo copyright Shawn and Kris McCourt; used by permission U.S. Virgin Islands travel guide - Wikitravel Time Zone UTC-4 (no DST) The U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated organized territory of the United States of America between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico . It was formerly known as the Danish West Indies. Together with the British Virgin Islands , to the northeast, the territory forms the Virgin Islands archipelago.

Understand[ edit ] These islands are in an important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deep water harbours in the Caribbean. The terrain is mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land. There are occasional earthquakes. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 474m. Climate[ edit ] Tropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November. Has experienced several hurricanes in recent years as well as frequent and severe droughts and floods. History[ edit ] During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.

National holiday Other destinations[ edit ] Buck Island Reef National Monument - established to preserve one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea Christiansted National Historic Site - 5 preserved historic structures and interprets the Danish economy and way of life in existence there from 1733 to 1917 Salt River Bay National Historic Park and Ecological Preserve - home to some of the largest mango forests in the Virgin Islands as well as coral reefs and a submarine canyon Virgin Islands National Park - within its 7,000 plus acres is the complex history of civilizations - both free and enslaved - dating back more than a thousand years, all who utilized the land and the sea for survival Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument - includes federal submerged lands within the 3 mile belt off of the island of St. John Visa-free entry[ edit ] The US Virgin Islands choose to follow the mainland US entry requirements. As with the mainland, any non-US citizen must follow the Visa Waiver Program. When travelling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S./American Samoan citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel – including on-line check-in – making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever.

As an American territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport for American/American Samoan citizens who are travelling from any part of the United States or its territories, as long as a foreign place is not touched during the journey. Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau only need a passport to enter. Citizens of Canada can do not require a visa for entry, and can study and work under the TN Status . Any citizen of Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, and the US/American Samoa citizen can live, work and travel freely for a unlimited time while in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens . The territory is a "free port" in a separate customs zone from the mainland United States; this means that everyone going to the mainland must go through customs, even though there are no customs when arriving from the mainland. A passport is recommended to make returning easier, and you'll have to plan your purchases accordingly and leave a little extra time to make your departing flight.

Visa Waiver Program requirements[ edit ] Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is limited to tourism or business purposes only; neither employment nor journalism is permitted with a Visa Waiver. The 90-day limit cannot be extended nor will travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean reset the 90-day limit. Take care if transiting through the US on a trip exceeding 90 days to Canada and/or Mexico. See Visa Waivr Program requirements for the U.S. mainland for more information. All travelers arriving in the U.S. Virgin Islands from outside the United States (including U.S. citizens) must meet the requirements for entry (or re-entry) to the United States . By plane[ edit ] Flights are into either St. Croix or St. Thomas. St. John does not have an airport, but is easily accessible via St. Thomas. Many flights connect through San Juan , Puerto Rico , but direct flights from the continental U.S. involve less hassle and flying time. Direct flights into St.

Thomas can be found from Chicago-O'Hare, Washington-Dulles, and Newark on United Airlines; Miami, Boston, and New York-JFK on American Airlines; Atlanta and Detroit on Delta Airlines; Charlotte, Philadelphia, and New York-La Guardia (weekly) on US Airways, and Ft. Lauderdale on Spirit Airlines. Direct flights into St. Croix can be found from Miami on American Airlines; Atlanta (twice weekly) on Delta Air Lines; and Charlotte on US Airways (weekly, seasonal). St. Croix can also be easily reached from St. Thomas by flying Cape Air or also by Seaborne Airlines (which flies seaplanes between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Christiansted, St. Croix). By boat[ edit ] Ferries run between all three US Virgin Islands, as well as to and from the British Virgin Islands and, on a seasonal basis, Puerto Rico. Get around[ edit ] Getting around any of the Virgin Islands is fairly easy. All of the islands have bus service and/or a regulated taxi service. Upon docking at Cruz Bay, taxis, rental cars, and scooters are available. By car[ edit ] With plenty to explore on all the islands, car rental agencies are recommended.

From the lush rainforest to the quaint Christiansted, driving the St Croix island is both scenic and a visual pleasure. Stick to the left-hand side and with a good handful of sharp curves, take your time navigating the roads. Remember that you're on "island time." Generally car rental rates will be comparable to the mainland U.S. (about $500 per week or $80 per day). If you make advanced reservations, the rates are generally lower. Take out the insurance if you plan to go four wheeling up the steep mountain roads. Throughout St. Thomas, there are colored directional signs to major destinations. Unlike other U.S. territories, traffic on the Virgin Islands moves on the left. To add to the confusion, unlike most other places where traffic moves on the left, most cars in the Virgin Islands are left-hand drive as they are usually imported from the U.S. mainland. Potholes are large and numerous, similar to the end of a particularly snowy New England winter. Drivers often either slow to around 5mph or swing into oncoming traffic when encountering the larger holes. For both reasons, one should always pay extra attention when driving and watch out for drivers who drive on the wrong side of the road.

Unmarked one-way streets, very narrow two-ways streets, lack of lane striping, and a high incidence of drunk driving also contribute to the relatively high accident rate among American drivers on the Virgin Islands. To avoid collisions on hairpin turns in the mountainous areas, stay left and slow to 5mph. Some unpaved mountain roads require four-wheel drive, and some drainage ditches wash across the paved roads in the rain forest. There are generally no sidewalks outside of the towns, so pedestrians and bicycles frequently travel along the side of the main road. There is a rudimentary highway numbering system. Roads are marked with circular signs. Numbers beginning with 1 and 2 are used on St. John, with 3 and 4 on St. Thomas and 5 to 7 on St. Croix. Roads are not very well marked -- some are not marked at all -- and designations can be confusing. Some roads simply dead-end, or end at an unmarked intersection. Signs can suddenly disappear without warning; for example, heading south on Route 40 into Charlotte Amalie, signage is nowhere to be found as you are shuttled onto one-way streets.

It is not uncommon to come to a junction where one must turn to stay on the current road. Locals are more likely to know the names of the roads; conversely, tourist maps usually emphasise the numbers. By taxi and bus[ edit ] Upon landing at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas, one could rent a taxi or take buses to Charlotte Amalie, or to Red Hook, either of which have ferry service to Cruz Bay, St. John. You can "bargain" for most things on the islands, but the taxi and bus rates are regulated. Taxi rates are published by the Virgin Islands Taxicab Commission. If you are interested in saving $8, you can walk 3/4 of a mile to Vetern's Drive and catch a safari bus that will take you into town for $1 or $2 dollars if you have minimal luggage. Taxi rates are charged per person one way. For example, a one way trip from Charlotte Amalie to Magens Bay is $10; round trip for four people will cost $80. If you plan on visiting multiple destinations, renting a car might be more economical.you need to have bus fares too!

By boat[ edit ] Sailboat rentals at Red Hook will allow you to get around by water. If you plan to sail to the British Virgin Islands, a passport is required as of 2007. Although passports are not required for American citizens to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) has made the documentation requirements much stricter. On St. John, get the best idea of the island by chartering a boat for a full day. By doing this not only will one get a wonderful day of snorkeling in, but also see the island from a local's perspective. Try St John Yacht Charters at 340-998-9898. There is a ferry boat that transports cars between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John. The dock is separate from the passenger ferries. The sign is really small, so if you can't find the dock, ask the workers by the passenger ferries. The road trip on the car ferry varried from $40-$50 depending on the ferry company and the day. The trip takes about 30 minutes.

Lastly, for a one-stop resource that lists charter companies operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands, consider visiting the Virgin Island Charter Yacht League's site at . The site lists pictures as well as contact information for charters ranging from monohull to power yacht. Talk[ edit ] English is the official language but there is a local dialect. You may also find Spanish and French Creole being spoken. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Guided Running & Power-Walking Tours - Enjoy a guided running or power-walking tour with Active Island Tours & Events. Cost is $48 for a guided tour through scenic & historic sites, a high performance moisture-wicking shirt, complimentary Cruzan Rum cocktail post-run, and a bottled water. Water Island Monday movie night - Enjoy the movie on the beach together with the residents of Water islands, Virgin Islands. If you are vacationing in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Water island is only a short ferry ride. The round trip cost is $10. The movie is organized by Heidi's Honeymoon Beach Grill and is free of charge. Buy[ edit ][ add listing ] St. Croix is rich with artists.

Christiansted is home to many galleries including ISLAND BOY DESIGNS owned by jewelry designer Whealan Massciott (Kenny Chesney is a fan), the MARIA HENLE GALLERY and many more. A stroll around town will reveal these and many more treasures. The islands are duty-free and have all sorts of shops, with special emphasis on rums, tanzanite, and diamond and gold jewelry. See same subject under St Thomas for discussion. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Rumrunners, 44A Queen Cross Street (on the boardwalk in Christiansted in Hotel Caravelle), ☎ (340) 773-6585, [1] . Waterfront location..watch the seaplanes take off and land, see Captain Carl Holley bring in the catch of the day, and enjoy a perfect blend of local and American flavors. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner 7 days a week, and Sunday brunch with live steel pan music! edit St. Croix is home to a celebrated week-long culinary festival held each April called the St.

Croix Food & Wine Experience which includes wine seminars, dinners with celebrity chefs (Kevin Rathbun, Rocco DiSpirito, Robbin Haas, Gerry Klaskala, Richard Reddington are just a few who joined the fun)and the main event, A Taste of St. Croix, showcases foods from more than 50 of the islands restaurants. For a listing of restaurants on the island see Great local food can be found at Harvey's(stew goat), Singh's (roti) and Norma at the Domino Club in the rain forest always has something cooking. For fine dining, try Tutto Bene, Bacchus, Savant and The Galleon. Rumrunners, located on the waterfront at Hotel Caravelle is perfect for casual, fun dining. They do a great blend of local and traditional American dishes and flavors. If you want to catch what you eat, go fishing with Carl Holley. His boat, Mokojumbie, ties up on the docks near Rumrunners. he, in fact, supplies many restaurants with fresh fish daily. Drink[ edit ][ add listing ] On Saint John dollar drinks are available across the street from the National park office, next to the ice cream shop.

On St. Thomas, There are several drinking establishments in Red Hook, on the East End, including: Caribbean Saloon, Duffy's Love Shack, Fat Boy's, Molly Malone's, Island Time Pizza, and XO Bistro. On St. Croix, Cruzan Rum is made at a distillery that you can tour. Be sure to do the tour and participate in the tasting after! Cruzan Rum is available just about everywhere, but there are certain flavors (ie Clipper) that are not sold in the USA, so take a bottle back with you. In the seaside town of Christiansted is the Brew Pub which makes several good beers. And, when at local places or events, always ask if there is a local drink. Be wary of the home recipes (ie Mama Wanna) - they are STRONG! Unlike the US mainland, the drinking age in the Virgin Islands is 18. Learn[ edit ] University of the Virgin Islands [2] UVI is a small but respectable school founded in 1962. It is comprised of two main campuses, in St. Thomas and St. Croix. Its mascot is the UVI Buccaneer.

It is a corresponding member of the NCAA and competes against NCAA II and III along with the Intercollegiate Sports Organization League in Puerto Rico. The public high schools have had a history of trouble with accreditation, but recent improvements have gotten them accepted on a probationary basis. To learn about history and culture, visit St. Croix's historic landmarks. St. Croix is home to two forts (one in each waterfront town) and numerous historic buildings. Tours are available at Government House in Christiansted. Whim Great House and the Laweatz Museum offer tours. There is even a self guided island tour called the Heritage Tour, maps are available at various places. To learn about food and agriculture, come to St. Croix during the annual Ag Fair. You can also visit the VI Sustainable farm (call in advance) and Southgate Farms (both organic). Work[ edit ] As a US territory, Americans and American Samoan citizens can come here and work with no special visa or requirements, and they can stay and work indefinately. Foreigners must go through the rigorous process of obtaining a US work permit. See the United States work section for more information.

The economy is quite seasonal, based mostly around cruise ship calls, which taper off from May through September and peak in December and January. Stay safe[ edit ] This is the only US territory where driving on the left side (British) of the road is still practiced. There are many theories as to why this is. One theory is due to the prior use of the donkey as a main mode of transportation. Islanders would drive on the left to see how close they were getting to the edge of the many steep and cliff-like roadways. The original donkey trails were then paved over to create what are now the roadways today. Another theory is that as a Danish colony, the Danish West Indies were heavily British-influenced, due to an unwillingness among Danish people to relocate to the Danish colony. This British influence explains the widespread use of the English language even before the United States purchased the islands from Denmark in 1917. Despite the left-side traffic, cars on the island are generally imported from the mainland U.S. and are left-hand drive. For drivers used to right-side traffic, the switch is pretty easy to make, though you will need to put more conscious thought into turns than normal.

In general, other traffic provides an immediate reminder which side to choose. It's easier to forget if you're the only car entering a section of road with a standard U.S. double yellow centerline and no road signs nearby, but there are fewer cars to crash into in that case. The terror of flying past on the wrong side of traffic will pass after the first few cars, and the readjustment back home to right-hand driving will be a pleasant reminder of your trip. In short, don't be afraid of renting a car no matter which side of the road you normally drive on. Some parts of St. Thomas, especially Charlotte Amalie can be very risky at night. Drugs and other related crime are a major problem, and dangerous public shootouts are a fact of life around St. Thomas. Tourists should exercise extreme caution when getting around as some neighborhoods can be dangerous, even if a well-known restaurant is in a particular neighborhood. If you are not comfortable with navigating a strange island while driving on the wrong side of the road, take a taxi. St. John is a relatively safe island and usual caution is advised when leaving your car unattended, especially at secluded beaches such as Salt Pond Bay.

Your car is not a safe and yes, thieves WILL look under the front seat for your wallet. If you are driving to a public beach (e.g., Magens Bay) and plan to go in the water, leave as much as possible in the safe at your hotel and use a secure waterproof bag or pouch (there are various belt- and armband-mounted inventions available on the Internet) to carry your keys and most valuable documents on you, rather than leaving them behind on the beach for strangers to rummage through when you are not glancing towards the shoreline. Stay healthy[ edit ] Low-lying buildings usually use the public water, which is fine to drink. Places up in the mountains almost all have independent water supplies, replenished by the rain that falls on their roofs. The safety of this water depends on regular cleaning and treatment of the building's cistern. There are several parts of St. Thomas that are not safe after dark, and a couple places that are not safe at any time of day. The islands may seem like paradise, but the crime rate is comparable to many large cities. Respect[ edit ] Islanders follow a system of greeting which depends on the time of day.

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night are the norm. Most people follow-up a salutation with "How are you?" When entering a room with others it is customary to greet people. You may also be greeted with "ya arright?", to which an appropriate response would be "arright!" or "OK". Islanders also use a modified handshake. A normal shake, then a finger clasp, followed by a fist bump. Unlike Puerto Rico , the mainland U.S. has had little influence on the U.S. Virgin Islands when it comes to homosexuality. Same-sex private acts and marriage are legal, but everything else isn't. Discriminating on grounds of sexual orientation is legal. Get out[ edit ] This is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow ! U.S. Virgin Islands Genealogy Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki Southcentral Southwest Sovereignty.

The earliest European colonization of what is now the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) involved Spain, the Netherlands, Knights of Malta, and England trading control of the islands. [2] [3] St. Thomas The Netherlands colonized St. Thomas in 1657. Denmark conquered the island in 1666. Great Britain invaded St. Thomas in 1801, but returned it to Denmark in 1802. Great Britain again seized control of St. Thomas (and St. Croix) in 1807 and stayed until 1815. [4] St. John Denmark settled St. John in 1718. [5] St. Croix In 1650 France took control of St. Croix. In 1733 Denmark purchased St. Croix and added it to St. Thomas and St. John to create the Danish West Indies. Great Britain seized control of both St. Croix and St. Thomas in 1807 and stayed until 1815. [3] The United States purchased all the islands of the Danish West Indies from Denmark in 1917.

They remain a territory of the United States. [3] FamilySearch Resources Below are FamilySearch resources that can assist you in resourcing your family. Facebook Communities - Facebook groups discussing genealogy research

Question: What U.S. territory includes the islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas?
Answer: U.S. Virgin Islands