People born in the U.S. Virgin Islands derive their U.S. citizenship from congressional statute.[40]. U.S. citizens thus do not have to clear customs when arriving in the U.S. Virgin Islands, but do when traveling to the mainland. Most energy is also generated from imported oil, leading to electricity costs four to five times higher than the U.S. [28] Even stronger winds likely occurred somewhere across the island's west end. [71], Analysts reviewing the economy often point to the closure of the HOVENSA oil refinery, the islands' largest private sector employer, in early 2012 as having a major negative impact on the territory's economy. English is currently the dominant language. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands. [4], Water Island, a small island to the south of St. Thomas, was initially administered by the US federal government and did not become a part of the United States Virgin Islands territory until 1996, when 50 acres (20 ha) of land was transferred to the territorial government. They used to be owned by Denmark (and called Danish West Indies). The U.S. bought the islands from Denmark for $25 million. Approximately 2.5 million tourists per year visit, most arriving on cruise ships. [3][4], A 2012 economic report from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated a total of 2,414 business establishments generating $6.8 billion in sales, employing 32,465 people and paying $1.1 billion in payroll per year. About 15 of the islands are inhabited. The city has a population of about 25,000. Until February 2012, the Hovensa plant located on St. Croix was one of the world's largest petroleum refineries, refining 494,000 bbl/d (78,500 m3/d), and contributed about 20% of the territory's GDP. [78] The Virgin Islands were the highest oil consumers per capita in the world in 2007. In cricket, the country is represented by the West Indies. It has campuses on both St. Thomas and St. Croix. There are no extremes of heat or cold and the temperature ranges from 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 00830–00831 (St. John),[88] No, he didn't name the islands after his company and he only owns two of them. The culture derives chiefly from West African, European and American traditions, in addition to the influences from the immigrants from the Arab world, India and other Caribbean islands. The tropical climate of the Virgin Islands is wonderful year round. There are lots of bougainvillea, hibiscus and flame trees. Other languages spoken in the Danish West Indies included Irish, Scots, Spanish, and French, as well as Virgin Islands English Creole. Tropical flowers and trees grow thickly. [39] Although those born on the islands are U.S. citizens, U.S. Virgin Islanders residing in the territory are ineligible to vote for the president of the United States. [citation needed] This was inherited from what was then-current practice on the islands at the time of the 1917 transfer of the territory to the United States from Denmark. Virgin Islands Daily News. Appeals from the federal District Court are heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [3] The name was later shortened to "the Virgin Islands". [4] In 1970, Virgin Islanders elected their first governor, Melvin H. Evans, and from 1976 the islands began work on creating their own constitution. English Creole emerged on St. Croix more so than Dutch Creole, which was more popular on St. Thomas and St. John. [3][66] Other major sectors are the public sector, some limited agriculture, and small scale manufacturing, most notably rum production. Usually grouped with Northern American countries based on proximity; occasionally grouped with the Caribbean region culturally. * These three Dutch Caribbean territories form the BES islands. [73] By January 23, 2017, this had increased to $2 billion. The island, called Little St. James, would become the site of some of his most notorious crimes—and Filthy Rich , a new documentary series on Netflix, catalogues many of them. [103], In 2010, the national average life expectancy was 79.61 years. [30] A third person had a fatal heart attack during the hurricane. 109. https://driverabroad.com/countries/driving-in-caribbean-islands/virgin-islands-us/. The article outlines how in 2005, Biden’s brother James and his wife Sara bought a piece of land on Water Island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. All of the children living on the islands must go to school between the ages of 5 and 16. The United States Virgin Islands enjoy a tropical climate, with little seasonal change throughout the year. The National Park Service manages more than half of St. John, nearly all of Hassel Island, and many acres of coral reef. This is one of the most beautiful places on earth, over 500 acres, and only 8,000 feet north of St. Thomas (near Magen's Bay). [42] The elected delegate, while able to vote in committee, cannot participate in floor votes. [7][better source needed] During the 17th–18th centuries, a sizable Jewish community also began to settle on the islands. A search of Sussex County records confirms they own the residence, a few hundred yards from the beach. The U.S. Virgin Islands are an organized, unincorporated United States territory. Breathtaking unspoiled crescent Coconut Beach (and a few occasional beaches), stunning vistas and cliffs, palm forests and crystal-clear waters make it ideal for a single … The U.S. Virgin Islands were originally inhabited by the Ciboney and Arawaks, with some scholars thinking that the islands were inhabited from as early as 1000 BC. The U.S. chose the name "Virgin Islands" when it took formal possession of the Danish West Indies on March 31, 1917. The form of Virgin Islands Creole spoken on St. Croix, known as Crucian, is slightly different from that spoken on St. Thomas and St. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Rastafari is also prevalent. Petroleum products and refined bauxite are among the major exports of the American islands. photo source: nbcnews British Virgin Islands, British overseas territory in the eastern Caribbean Sea.It is part of an island chain collectively known as the Virgin Islands, which makes up the northeastern extremity of the Greater Antilles. [citation needed] Because the U.S. Virgin Islands are home to thousands of immigrants from across the Caribbean, Spanish and various French creole languages are also widely spoken. Who owns Virgin Islands? After a few months of negotiations, a selling price of $25 million[4] in United States gold coin was agreed, equivalent to $587.39 million in 2019 dollars. When the mainland United States is on standard time, the U.S. Virgin Islands are one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Along with the tourist industry, it appears that rum exports, trade, and services will be major income sources in future years". Additional candidates run as independents. The Treaty of the Danish West Indies was signed in August 1916,[18] with a referendum on the sale held in Denmark in December 1916 in which voters approved the decision to sell. Steven Spielberg is wealthy enough to buy 10 islands, if you ask me, but he *only* has two. English has been the predominant language since 1917, when the islands were transferred from Denmark to the United States. By 1741, there were five times as many English on the island as Danes. [4] The Spanish later settled in 1555, with English and French settlers arriving on St. Croix from 1625. The U.S. Virgin Islands consists of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas, and many other surrounding minor islands. Some of his accusers have claimed they were sexually assaulted on the island, per The New York Times. The United States' group are St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas islands. Natural hazards include earthquakes, hurricanes and tsunamis. [36] Like most Caribbean islands, most of the islands of the Virgin Islands, including St. Thomas and St. John, are volcanic in origin and hilly. "Constitutional Convention Meeting Marred by Arguments, Technical Snarls". [85] The heaviest rains generally fall in the spring and fall. The average private sector salary was $34,088 and the average public sector salary was $52,572. [32] The Luis Hospital suffered roof damage and flooding, but remained operational.[33]. Cengage Learning. In the territory, the population in 2010 was distributed with 31.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. [3] The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.36 km2). [51], The Fifth Constitutional Convention of the U.S. Virgin Islands met in October 2012 but was not able to produce a revised Constitution before its October 31 deadline.[52][53][54][55]. [4] Other plantation crops included cotton and indigo dye. There is also a strong Roman Catholic presence. [75], Tourism, trade, and other service-oriented industries are the primary economic activities, accounting for nearly 60% of the GDP. Together with the British Virgin Islands, to the northeast, the territory forms the Virgin Islands archipelago. A 1993 referendum on status attracted only 31.4% turnout, and so its results (in favor of the status quo) were considered void. However, not all U.S. vehicle regulations are in force, and there are vehicles on the road that cannot be sold in the mainland U.S. Additionally, headlights use the U.S. pattern which casts light to the right, tending to blind oncoming drivers. Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands. 2010 Census - U.S. Virgin Islands Districts and Subdistricts. [9] Instead of allowing themselves to be recaptured, more than a dozen of the ringleaders shot themselves before the French forces could capture them. Epstein bought Little St. James in 1998, a private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to The Associated Press. The single largest employer was the government. This report states that the "leisure and hospitality sector" employed an average of 7,333 people. # Physiographically, Bermuda is an isolated oceanic island in the North Atlantic Ocean, not a part of the Antilles, West Indies, Caribbean, North American continental mainland or South American continental mainland. Most of the food Virgin Islanders eat must be imported. They share the Virgin Islands Archipelago with the Puerto Rican Virgin Islands of Vieques and Culebra (administered by Puerto Rico), and the British Virgin Islands. In 1917, the United States purchased Denmark's West Indies possessions for $25 million or about $295 an acre. The retail trade sector, which also serves many tourists, averaged another 5,913 jobs. The U.S. Democratic and Republican parties allow U.S. Virgin Islands citizens to vote in their presidential primary elections for delegates to the respective national conventions. 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