U.S. Virgin Islands
History | Food & Drink | Sports & Recreation | Sightseeing

US Virgin Islands' History
[ top ]

Christopher Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands during his second voyage in 1493. His fleet of 17 ships first anchored off the north coast of St. Croix, then sailed off to the chain of smaller islands on their northern horizon. After changing hands many times over, Denmark ruled these islands for nearly 250 years. The Danish West Indies became the US Virgin Islands in 1917, when Denmark sold them to the United States. The American government, which desired a naval base in the Caribbean and proximity to the Panama Canal, purchased the islands for $25 million. Many of Charlotte Amalie's thoroughfares still bare Danish names.

Today the US Virgin Islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States, and its people are American citizens. The islands were administered by a governor appointed by the president until 1970, when the first gubernatorial election was held.

Tourism to the US Virgin Islands began to boom in the 1960's partly because of the closing of Cuba to tourists from the United States. The number of visitors quickly escalated from about 100,000 per year to more than a million. At the same time tourism was rising, the island's population tripled. Other islanders were attracted by the relative economic security.

[ top ]

US Virgin Islands' Food & Drink
[ top ]

Restaurants serve native Creole and Danish dishes as well as other nationalities. The tropical climate produces an abundance of exotic culinary favorites, including papayas, mangoes, avocados, and sweet pineapple.

[ Top ]

US Virgin Islands' Sports & Recreation
[ top ]

All the Virgin Islands are havens of lovely beaches and pools, providing excellent scuba diving and snorkeling. Underwater signs and arrows guide snorkelers through the coral reefs and identify the multitude of colorful fish and plant life that inhabit the area. Deep-sea fishing is popular. The most important gamefish are blue marlin, sailfish, dolphin, kingfish, tuna and wahoo. The Atlantic Blue Marlin contest is held in mid-August.

[ Top ]

US Virgin Islands' Sightseeing
[ top ]

St. Croix

Old Danish towns rising above the Caribbean characterize lovely St. Croix. The easternmost point of the United States, St. Croix is the agricultural center of the US Virgin Islands as well as a major tourist destination.

St. Croix- Christiansted

Christiansted has preserved the 18th-century buildings of its Danish settlers. Solid stone buildings in pastel colors with bright red tile roofs line the cobblestone sidewalks, adding a touch of European charm.

St. Croix- Frederiksted

Destroyed by fire in 1878, Frederiksted was restored in the Victorian era, as reflected in the town's architecture. Modern Frederiksted operates at a slower pace than Christiansted, except when cruise ships dock in Frederiksted's deepwater port. Of historical interest are the palatial ruins of Judith's Fancy, the former residence of the governor of the Knights of Malta. Set on an estate of several hundred acres, it has a view of where Christopher Columbus anchored at Salt River in 1493.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas' checkered past has left the landscape dotted with contrasting architectural styles. Pastel houses line narrow cobblestone streets and alleys, where doors reflect the Dutch heritage and red tile roofs, the Danish. The French left the elaborate iron grillwork, and the patios lend a Spanish accent. Tourism is the chief means of livelihood on St. Thomas.

St. Thomas- Charlotte Amalie

The only town on St. Thomas, Charlotte Amalie is the territorial capital of the US Virgin Islands. This town, climbing steep sides of Mafolie Mountain, Frenchman's Hill and Solberg, once served as the home port for such unsavory characters as Captain Kidd, Bluebeard and Blackbeard.

[ Top ]