U.S. Virgin Islands

Geography

The U.S. Virgin Islands are 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, and many other smaller islands. The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles.

History

The U.S. 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 three hundred years, the islands were held by many European powers, including Spain, Great Britain, the Netherlands, France, the Knights of Malta, Denmark and, ultimately, the United States.

Demographics

As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands was 106,405. Most of the inhabitants are of African descent, due to the islands' history of slavery and racial segregation. English is the most widely spoken language, followed by Spanish, French, and various Creole languages.

Economy

The economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands is primarily dependent on tourism, trade, and other services. They are known for their rum distilling operations, with the Cruzan Rum Distillery on Saint Croix and the Captain Morgan Rum Distillery on Saint Thomas being the most notable. Additionally, the islands have a significant investment presence, due to their status as an offshore financial center.

Culture

The culture of the U.S. Virgin Islands is a blend of African, European, and American influences. This is reflected in the islands' music, cuisine, and festivals. The official language is English, but many residents also speak Virgin Islands Creole, a local dialect.

See Also

Culture of the Virgin Islands Economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands History of the U.S. Virgin Islands