The U.S. Virgin Islands are located east of Puerto Rico.  The total land area is 346.4 sq. km. (133.73 sq. mi.) and the total population around 110,000. The Danish West India Company settled on Saint Thomas in 1672, on Saint John in 1694, and purchased Saint Croix from France in 1733. The islands became royal Danish colonies in 1754. In January 1917 USA bought the islands from Denmark at a selling price of 25 million US.

Saint Thomas is the second largest and most interesting of the islands. The highest point, Crow Mountain, measuring 474 meters, is to be found on this island. The capital city of the islands, Charlotte Amalie, has a total of 19,000 inhabitants. The city was named after a Danish queen from the 16th century. The Danish influence is evident in the colonial buildings everywhere in the capital. The beautiful beaches on the north and east coast, some of the best in the whole Caribbean, are the main attraction.

Saint Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island is characterized by its lush rain forest in its western mountains and rolling hills in its interior. On the eastern terrain is completely different, stark desert vegetation and rocky red cliffs. The two cities on the island are Christiansted and Frederiksted. Visitors to Saint Croix can enjoy a number of indoor and outdoor activities, from fine dining, shopping, and a casino, to golf, scuba diving and horseback riding.

Saint John is the smallest of the islands and also the most untouched. You can only reach the island by using a ferry. The island consists mainly of untouched rain forest, which is part of the US Virgin Islands National Park. The national park is a tropical paradise and consists of fine sandy beaches, green hills, rain forests and a fascinating animal and plant world. The wonderful beaches of Cruz and Trunk Bay with crystal clear water and shade producing coconut palms are ideal for swimming and diving. There are also excellent shops and fine hotels.

The climate of the U.S. Virgin Islands is subtropical and temperate, with highest daily temperatures above 25C (77F) all year round. The air is pleasantly cooled by the northeasterly passat winds, making the U.S. Virgin Islands one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Caribbean. The rainy season occurs between the months of July and October, when the rains provide for a short cooler spell.

The international airport, Cyril E. King, is on Saint Thomas, and is served on a daily basis by international airlines.

 Map of Caribbean