U.S. Virgin Islands (Facts
on File)
America's
Caribbean Paradise
Antilles
Resorts
The
Best Kept Secret Under the American Flag!
A
Complete Guide to America's Paradise
The
Complete Guide to St. John
Destination
St. John
Destination
St. Thomas
Destination:
U.S. Virgin Islands
Government
of the U.S. Virgin Islands
HotelGuide
St.
Croix Landmarks Society
St.
Thomas - St. John Chamber of Commerce
St
Thomas Traveller
Travelers
Guide to St. Thomas
U.S.
Virgin Islands
U.S.
Virgin Islands Information Guide
USVI-On-Line
Virgin
Islands America's Cup Foundation
Virgin
Islands National Park
Virtual
Voyages
U.S.
Virgin Islands
Official
Name: United States Virgin Island
Capital:
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Nationality:
United States citizens, Virgin Islander
Official
Language: English, also Spanish and Creole
Head of
State: President William J. Clinton
Total Population:102,000
Head of
Government: Governor Roy L. Schneider, M.D.
Ruling
Party: Republican Party
Currency:
U.S. Dollar
Phone Code:
Regional code (340)
plus the local
7 digit number
Location
The islands
are located south of the Bahamas
chain, and
north of Haiti, in the Caribbean Sea. It
covers a total
area of about 165 square miles.
The islands
are relatively flat, with a limestone
foundation.
There are numerous cays, and beautiful
sandy white
beaches. It is considered a haven to
divers and
sailors alike.
Climate
The weather
is warm with an annual average
temperature
of about 25°C (80°F), and the trade
winds keep
you cool and comfortable. You'll find it
the hottest
from April throught November.
Reproductive
Rate: 26 per 1,000
Adult Literacy:
98 %
Annual Rate
of Growth: 2.5 %
Population
Density: 76 per square mile
Ethnic Make-up
The people
are mostly of African descent,
with the remainder
being of European or mixed
origin.
Education
The government
provides the educational
facilities
free of charge to the students. It is
compulsory
to attend if you are between the ages of
five and sixteen.
History
The Virgin
Islands are mostly made up of St.
Thomas, St.
Croix, and St. John, and lie east of
Puerto Rico
in the Caribbean. They were originally
settled by
Amerindians and later slaves were
brought in
to work the plantations. The islands were
discovered
by Christopher Columbus on his second
voyage in
1493. They were fought over by the
Spanish, Dutch,
English, and French, until 1672
when the first
permanent settlement was made by
Denmark on
St. Thomas. Soon after they also
settled on
St. Croix and St. John. In 1917 the
islands were
purchased by the United States,
because of
their strategic position.
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