“United in Pride and Hope”
The U S Virgin Islands is made up of 3 main islands—St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. They are located about 40 miles (64 km) east of Puerto Rico and immediately west of the British Virgin Islands. They are popular tourist destinations with a fascinating past.
Originally inhabited by the Ciboney, Arawak, and Carib peoples, the islands were first encountered by Europeans when Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493 during his second voyage to the New World. Over the following centuries, the islands changed hands several times among European powers, including Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, and Denmark.
In 1733, Denmark took control of the islands, establishing a thriving sugar plantation economy that relied heavily on enslaved Africans. The legacy of this period is still evident in the architecture, culture, and people of the islands today. In 1917, the United States purchased the islands from Denmark for $25 million in gold, primarily to prevent their use by Germany during World War I. Since then, the islands have been an unincorporated territory of the United States.
Today, the U S Virgin Islands are celebrated for their natural beauty and outdoor activities. St. Thomas, the most cosmopolitan of the three, is known for its bustling port of Charlotte Amalie, duty-free shopping, and historic sites like Blackbeard’s Castle, which offers panoramic views of the harbor.
St. John, the smallest of the main islands, is renowned for its unspoiled nature and stunning beaches. Nearly two-thirds of the island is protected as Virgin Islands National Park, offering miles of hiking trails, pristine beaches like Trunk Bay, and excellent snorkeling spots.
St. Croix, the largest of the U S Virgin Islands, has a rich cultural history and diverse landscapes. Visitors can explore historic towns like Christiansted and Frederiksted, visit the St. George Village Botanical Garden, or dive at the famous Buck Island Reef National Monument, one of the few underwater national monuments in the United States.