United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands of the United States is a group of islands in the Caribbean that is a dependency of the United States. These islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands.
History
During the 18th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labour, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. During the submarine warfare phases of the First World War, the USA feared that these islands might be seized by Germany as a submarine base and accordingly approached Denmark to sell the islands to the USA. On January 17, 1917, the United States bought the Danish West Indies for $25 million dollars and took possession of the islands on March 31. The Danish Crown may have felt pressure to accept the sale, thinking that the USA would seize the islands, if Denmark was invaded by Germany. US citizenship was later granted to the inhabitants of the islands in 1927. This part of the islands had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.
Geography
Main article: Geography of the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of three main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix.
Economy
Main article: Economy of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms.
Miscellaneous
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
From the CIA World Factbook 2000. Somewhat Wikified.
See: Virgin Islands and Danish colonization of the Americas, Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport.
Referenced By
Alexander Hamilton International Airport | Caribbean | Caribbean nation | Carribean | Countries of the Carribean | Delegates to the United States House of Representatives from the Virgin Islands | Donna Christian-Christensen | Donna M. Christensen | Donna Marie Christian Christensen | Extinct countries | Extinct countries, empires, etc. | Extinct political countries, empires, etc. | Extint countries | Flag of the United States Virgin Islands | Flags of the world | Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport | Henry E. Rohlson International Airport | Henry E. Rolhson International Airport | History of extinct nations and states | List of Airports:S | List of Eastern Caribbean people | List of U.S. cities | List of airports: S | List of cities in the United States | List of countries by area | List of countries by population | List of extinct countries, empires, etc. | List of flags | List of islands in the United States | List of islands of the United States | List of national flags | List of schools in the United States | Melvin H. Evans | Ron de Lugo | Saint Croix | Saint Croix, United States Virgin Islands | Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands | Schools in the United States | St. Croix | St Croix | Tim Duncan | Victor O. Frazer | West Indian | West Indies
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