United States Virgin Islands: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:12, 10 February 2025

   Coordinates:
   
       18.34°N 
       64.93°W

The United States Virgin Islands (USVI) is a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an unincorporated territory of the United States. The main islands are Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix. The capital is Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas.

History[edit]

The islands were originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Carib, and Arawak peoples. Christopher Columbus was the first European to visit the islands in 1493. The islands were later colonized by the Danish West India Company in the 17th century. They were sold to the United States by Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold, and have been a U.S. territory since then.

Geography[edit]

The USVI is located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. The territory consists of three main islands and several smaller ones. The islands are volcanic in origin and have a tropical climate.

Demographics[edit]

The population of the USVI is approximately 106,000 people. The majority of the population is of African descent, with a significant Hispanic and Latino population as well. English is the official language, but Spanish and Virgin Islands Creole are also spoken.

Economy[edit]

The economy of the USVI is primarily based on tourism, manufacturing, and services. The islands are a popular destination for tourists, with attractions such as Magens Bay and the historic towns of Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted.

Culture[edit]

The culture of the USVI is a blend of African, European, and Caribbean influences. Music, dance, and festivals are important aspects of life on the islands. The territorial anthem is "Virgin Islands March".

Government[edit]

The USVI is an unincorporated territory of the United States, with a local government consisting of a governor and a legislature. The territory is represented in the U.S. Congress by a non-voting delegate.

Transportation[edit]

Transportation in the USVI includes public buses, ferries, and taxis. The main airport is Cyril E. King Airport on Saint Thomas. The islands are also served by Virgin Islands Transit (VITRAN) buses and ferries.

Education[edit]

The University of the Virgin Islands is the main institution of higher education in the territory. There are also several public and private schools on the islands.

Related pages[edit]

References[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Territorial anthem
Petroglyphs on St. John
Bark Mary and Frederiksted
Hurricane damage in 1995
Map of the Virgin Islands
Legislature Building
Subdivisions of the USVI
Charlotte Amalie
Christiansted
Fort Frederik
Anna's Retreat
Charlotte Amalie West
Cruz Bay
Police officers in Christiansted
Map of the USA and Virgin Islands
Magens Bay
Cruise ship in the USVI
Cyril E. King Airport
VITRAN public bus
VITRAN ferry
Trunk Bay, St. John
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
Danish street name in Charlotte Amalie
University of the Virgin Islands

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''United States Virgin Islands'''
+{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
+{{Coord|18.34|N|64.93|W|display=title}}
-The '''United States Virgin Islands''' (USVI) are a group of [[Caribbean]] islands and an [[unincorporated territory]] 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 '''United States Virgin Islands''' ('''USVI''') is a group of islands in the Caribbean that are an unincorporated territory of the [[United States]]. The main islands are [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]], [[Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint John]], and [[Saint Croix]]. The capital is [[Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands|Charlotte Amalie]] on Saint Thomas.
-== History ==
+==History==
+The islands were originally inhabited by the [[Ciboney]], [[Carib]], and [[Arawak]] peoples. [[Christopher Columbus]] was the first European to visit the islands in 1493. The islands were later colonized by the [[Danish West India Company]] in the 17th century. They were sold to the United States by Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold, and have been a U.S. territory since then.
-The Virgin Islands were originally inhabited by the [[Ciboney]], [[Carib]], and [[Arawaks]]. The islands were named by [[Christopher Columbus]] on his second voyage in 1493 for Saint Ursula and her virgin followers. Over the next two hundred years, the islands were held by many European powers, including [[Spain]], [[Great Britain]], the [[Netherlands]], [[France]], and [[Denmark]].
+==Geography==
+The USVI is located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, east of [[Puerto Rico]]. The territory consists of three main islands and several smaller ones. The islands are volcanic in origin and have a tropical climate.
-The United States purchased the Danish-held Virgin Islands in 1917 during [[World War I]]. The U.S. Virgin Islands are now one of five inhabited unincorporated island territories of the United States.
+==Demographics==
+The population of the USVI is approximately 106,000 people. The majority of the population is of African descent, with a significant Hispanic and Latino population as well. English is the official language, but Spanish and Virgin Islands Creole are also spoken.
-== Geography ==
+==Economy==
+The economy of the USVI is primarily based on tourism, manufacturing, and services. The islands are a popular destination for tourists, with attractions such as [[Magens Bay]] and the historic towns of Charlotte Amalie and [[Christiansted]].
-The U.S. Virgin Islands are composed of three main islands: [[Saint Croix]], [[Saint John]], and [[Saint Thomas]]. The islands are known for their white sand beaches, crystal blue waters, and vibrant coral reefs.
+==Culture==
+The culture of the USVI is a blend of African, European, and Caribbean influences. Music, dance, and festivals are important aspects of life on the islands. The territorial anthem is "[[Virgin Islands March]]".
-== Economy ==
+==Government==
+The USVI is an unincorporated territory of the United States, with a local government consisting of a governor and a legislature. The territory is represented in the U.S. Congress by a non-voting delegate.
-The economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands is primarily driven by tourism, trade, and other services. The islands are a popular destination for cruise ships, and they also have significant rum manufacturing.
+==Transportation==
+Transportation in the USVI includes public buses, ferries, and taxis. The main airport is [[Cyril E. King Airport]] on Saint Thomas. The islands are also served by [[Virgin Islands Transit]] (VITRAN) buses and ferries.
-== Culture ==
+==Education==
+The [[University of the Virgin Islands]] is the main institution of higher education in the territory. There are also several public and private schools on the islands.
-The culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands is a blend of African, European, and American influences. The islands are known for their music, dance, and colorful festivals.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Puerto Rico]]
+* [[Caribbean]]
+* [[Danish West Indies]]
-== See also ==
+==References==
-* [[Territories of the United States]]
+{{Reflist}}
-* [[Caribbean]]
-* [[Virgin Islands National Park]]
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Territorial_anthem_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands.wav|Territorial anthem
+File:Petroglyphsstjohnusvi.jpg|Petroglyphs on St. John
+File:Bark_MARY_og_Frederiksted.jpg|Bark Mary and Frederiksted
+File:FEMA_-_3094_-_Photograph_by_FEMA_News_Photo_taken_on_09-25-1995_in_US_Virgin_Islands.jpg|Hurricane damage in 1995
+File:virgin_islands_sm02.png|Map of the Virgin Islands
+File:Legislature_Building_USVI_01.JPG|Legislature Building
+File:U.S._Virgin_Islands_Subdivisions.svg|Subdivisions of the USVI
+File:Charlotte_Amalie_Wade.jpg|Charlotte Amalie
+File:Christiansted-1-.jpg|Christiansted
+File:Fort_Frederik.jpg|Fort Frederik
+File:Anna's_Retreat,_U.S._Virgin_Islands.jpg|Anna's Retreat
+File:Charlotte_Amalie_West,_U.S._Virgin_Islands.jpg|Charlotte Amalie West
+File:Cruzbay.jpg|Cruz Bay
+File:U.S._Virgin_Islands_Police_Department_officers_in_Christianstad,_St._Croix_(February_2012).jpg|Police officers in Christiansted
+File:USA_-_VIRGIN_ISLANDS.jpg|Map of the USA and Virgin Islands
+File:MagensBay.jpg|Magens Bay
+File:RCCL_Adventure_Of_The_Seas_(22908986604).jpg|Cruise ship in the USVI
+File:Cyril_E._King_Airport_(terminal).jpg|Cyril E. King Airport
+File:Virgin_Islands_Transit_(VITRAN)_public_bus.jpg|VITRAN public bus
+File:VITRAN_Ferry.jpg|VITRAN ferry
+File:StJohnTrunkBay.jpg|Trunk Bay, St. John
+File:Saints_Peter_and_Paul_Cathedral_-_St._Thomas,_U.S._Virgin_Islands_07.JPG|Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral
+File:USVI_St._Thomas_Charlotte_Amalie_Danish_streetname.JPG|Danish street name in Charlotte Amalie
+File:University_of_the_Virgin_Islands_entrance_sign.jpg|University of the Virgin Islands
+</gallery>
 [[Category:United States Virgin Islands]]
-[[Category:Caribbean territories of the United States]]
-[[Category:Island territories of the United States]]
-[[Category:Former Danish colonies]]
-{{USVI-stub}}
-{{Caribbean-stub}}
-{{US-geo-stub}}