Virgin Islands (U.S.) travel info
Guide to Virgin Islands (U.S.)
- Buck Island Reef
- Christopher Columbus & Virgin Islands history
- US Virgin Islands attractions
- News Archive
Virgin Islands (U.S.) Events
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Virgin Islands (U.S.) travel facts
| Area (sq km): | 355 | |
| Population: | 122,600 | |
| Nationality: | Virgin Islander | |
| Local Name: | Virgin Islands | |
| Language: | English | |
| Time Zone: | -4 GMT | |
| Currency: | 1 US dollar = 100 cents |
|
| Rate: | www.xe.com | |
| Capital: | Charlotte Amalie | |
| Dialling Code: | +1 340 | |
| Electricity: | 110V/50Hz | |
| Internet Code: | .vi | |
| Religion: | Baptist, Roman Catholic |
|
| Climate: | Tropical Oceanic | |
| Government: | Unincorporated US Territory |
|
| Inoculations: | None | |
| Driving: | Left | |
| Int'l License: | Not Required | |
| Banking: | M-F 9.00-14.30, 15.30-17.00 |
|
| Major Airports: | Charlotte Amalie(STT), Christiansted(STX) |
Christopher Columbus and Virgin Islands history
Like so many islands in the fair Caribbean Sea, Christopher Columbus is credited with having named the US Virgin Islands. Discover the history of Islands from US Virgin Islands villas and uncover its unique European influence first introduced by Christopher Columbus.
The US Virgin Islands history begins before recorded time. The early inhabitants were the Arawaks, a term used by Spanish explorers for Amerindians. During Christopher Columbus’s second voyage in 1493 he explored the Lesser Antilles including what is today the US Virgin Islands towards the end of the calendar year. Book your US Virgin Islands villas today and bathe in the beauty that Christopher Columbus saw hundreds of years ago.
Christopher Columbus & Saint Ursula
Although it is suggested that earlier Europeans had travelled here, Christopher Columbus is credited with the discovery. He most certainly named the islands. Upon seeing the island chain Christopher Columbus named them Saint Ursula and the 11,000 Virgins.
Saint Ursula was a British Christian Saint who travelled to meet her husband with 11,000 virginal handmaidens. The name was reduced to Islas Virgenes, or the Virgin Islands.
Danish Virgin Islands
Since that time the islands exchanged hands many times as powerful European countries all left their mark on the Virgin Islands. In 1672, the Danish West India Company made St Thomas its home and moved on to St John in 1694. It later purchased St Croix from France in 1733. The Danes remained in control of these islands until the early 1900s.
The United States had been brokering failed treaties to buy the islands from Denmark since 1867. The interest of the United States peaked during World War I out of fear that Germany might seize the island during submarine warfare and make it a viable submarine and navy base. Finally the US succeeded in purchasing St Croix, St Thomas and St John on 31 March 1917. Water Island was purchased from Denmark in 1944 for $10,000.
Water Island
Before 1996 the only official US Virgin Islands were St Thomas, St Croix and St John. Water Island is south of St Croix and has been largely utilised by the US government. On 12 December 1996, Water Island officially became the fourth island of the US Virgin Islands. Search for peaceful St Croix villas and discover Water Island for yourself.
Named by Christopher Columbus, the Virgin Islands history spans hundreds of years. Explore the islands and this rich history from US Virgin Islands villas with VillasPeople.com