Virgin Islands U.S.

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      Finally, a Caribbean beach that's everything a Caribbean beach should be -- quaint, with hammocks strung from palm trees, crystal-clear water perfect for snorkeling, white sand, a first-rate beach bar and enough water toys to keep the kids happy (banana boat ride anybody?). Welcome to Rum Point on Grand Cayman's North Side.... More
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      Virgin Islands U.S. Map

      Latitude: 17.5639 Longtitude: -72.18623

      Location:
      Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

      Border Countries:


      Terrain:
      mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

      Geography:
      important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

      Capital:
      Charlotte Amalie

      About Virgin Islands U.S.
      During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.

      Population:
      109,840 (July 2008 est.)

      Language:
      English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

      Religion:
      Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%

      Phone Service:
      modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

      Currency:
      US dollar (USD)

      Climate:
      subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

      Natural Hazards:
      several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes