U.S. Virgin Islands
American Caribbean archipelago
The U.S.
Virgin Islands are an unincorporated territory of the United States in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico.
The territory comprises three main islands—St.
Thomas, St.
John, and St.
Croix—along with smaller surrounding islands.
Purchased from Denmark in 1917, the islands are a popular tourist destination known for beaches and duty-free shopping.
Residents are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections.
Doubting disciple of Jesus
- Saint JohnAtlantic Canadian seaport
- Saint CroixAmerican Caribbean territory island
- Caribbean SeaTropical Atlantic basin
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- white sandLight-colored beach grains
- coral reefsCalcium carbonate marine structures
- turquoise watersBlue-green ocean areas
- beach barsWaterfront drinking establishments
sea turtles · swimming · sunbathing · beach resorts · secluded coves · calm waters · beachcombing
Seagoing pleasure vessels
- duty-free shoppingBuying goods without customs taxes
- resort hotelsLodgings at recreational destinations
- scuba divingSwimming with air tanks
- day tripsShort journeys returning home
ecotourism · all-inclusive · travel destination · excursions · watersports · sportfishing · yacht charters · tourist season
Warm, rainy year-round conditions
- trade windsReliable equatorial air currents
- hurricane seasonAnnual tropical storm timeframe
- iguanasSpiny-crested American lizards
- mongooseSnake-eating carnivore
sea turtles · coral reefs · mangroves · dry forest · pelicans · coconut palms · bougainvillea · frangipani
Large-scale farming operations
- sugar caneSucrose-yielding tropical grass
- slaveryOwnership of people
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
- triangular tradeThree-legged Atlantic exchange system
colonial architecture · sugar mills · rum production · indigo · cotton · abolition · slave rebellion · colonial era
Pre-fasting festival season
- calypsoAfro-Caribbean satirical music
- West IndianFrom the Antilles region
- Caribbean cuisineTropical archipelago cooking traditions
- johnnycakesFried cornmeal cakes
pate · bush tea · African roots · cultural festivals · steel pan · storytelling · local crafts · heritage preservation
Not legally chartered
- CongressU.S. lawmaking body
- delegateEntrust authority to another
- duty-freeExempt from import tariffs
- self-governanceIndependent management of affairs
commonwealth · federal jurisdiction · appointed governor · constitutional rights · acquisition
Saint Thomas
Doubting disciple of Jesus
- Saint JohnAtlantic Canadian seaport
- Saint CroixAmerican Caribbean territory island
- Caribbean SeaTropical Atlantic basin
snorkeling
Surface swimming with breathing tube
- white sandLight-colored beach grains
- coral reefsCalcium carbonate marine structures
- turquoise watersBlue-green ocean areas
beach bars · sea turtles · swimming · sunbathing · beach resorts · secluded coves · calm waters · beachcombing
cruise ships
Seagoing pleasure vessels
- duty-free shoppingBuying goods without customs taxes
- resort hotelsLodgings at recreational destinations
- scuba divingSwimming with air tanks
day trips · ecotourism · all-inclusive · travel destination · excursions · watersports · sportfishing · yacht charters · tourist season · hospitality
tropical climate
Warm, rainy year-round conditions
- trade windsReliable equatorial air currents
- hurricane seasonAnnual tropical storm timeframe
- iguanasSpiny-crested American lizards
mongoose · sea turtles · coral reefs · mangroves · dry forest · pelicans · coconut palms · bougainvillea · frangipani · mahogany
plantations
Large-scale farming operations
- sugar caneSucrose-yielding tropical grass
- slaveryOwnership of people
- emancipationRelease from legal bondage
triangular trade · colonial architecture · sugar mills · rum production · indigo · cotton · abolition · slave rebellion · colonial era · estate grounds
Carnival
Pre-fasting festival season
- calypsoAfro-Caribbean satirical music
- West IndianFrom the Antilles region
- Caribbean cuisineTropical archipelago cooking traditions
johnnycakes · pate · bush tea · African roots · cultural festivals · steel pan · storytelling · local crafts · heritage preservation
unincorporated
Not legally chartered
self-governance · commonwealth · federal jurisdiction · appointed governor · constitutional rights · acquisition
- American Expansionmanifest destiny, territorial expansion, westward expansion, Louisiana Purchase, Alaska
- territoriesprovince, state, region, country, colony
- CommonwealthAustralia, Canada, India, UK, New Zealand
- Federal TerritoriesKuala Lumpur, Washington D.C., Northwest Territories, Northern Territory, Yukon
- US Divisionsstate, county, city, town, township
U.S. Virgin IslandsBritish Virgin Islands
UK overseas Caribbean territory
Cuba · Jamaica · Haiti · Dominican Republic · sovereign state
Virgin, Islands, United, virgin, virginal, virginity, island, islander