Carpet cleaning US Virgin Islands. An unforgettable vacation in the Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands consist of three large ones - St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, one smaller one - Water and several dozen more islands and atolls, mostly uninhabited. The islands are located in a seismic zone and are of volcanic origin. Over thousands of years, they grew overgrown with corals, which created chains of reefs around individual islands.
The topography of the islands is predominantly hilly. The elevated areas are composed mainly of limestone; there are outcrops of ancient crystalline or volcanic rocks - a consequence of active volcanic activity in the past.
The islands are located near important commercial shipping lines. In close proximity to them is the deep strait (passage) of Anegada: a key shipping line towards the Panama Canal. In addition, through this strait, Atlantic currents penetrate into.
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Arawak and Siboney Indians lived on the islands. They hunted, planted tobacco, cotton, maize and guava, built canoes and even organized sports competitions, which proves a fairly high level of their culture. As a result of the invasion of the Carib Indians, the Arawaks were assimilated, and their culture on the island gradually faded away.
In 1493, the islands were discovered to Europeans by Christopher Columbus. It was this great navigator who gave the islands their current names. The general name - Virgin (Maiden) Islands - Columbus assigned to this land due to the fact that the pile of stones on the shore for some reason reminded him of the legend about Saint Ursula and her thousands of innocent maidens who became victims of the cruel Huns.
The Caribbean offered fierce resistance to the Spaniards. Subsequently, those of the Indians who were not killed or did not die from diseases introduced by the Europeans became slaves on the tobacco plantations that they themselves created on the islands of the archipelago. Later coffee and sugar cane were added to tobacco.
The first permanent European settlements of the British and French appeared on the island of Santa Cruz in the first half of the 17th century. Around the same time, the massive importation of African slaves began, as there were not enough workers on the plantations. Sometimes the slaves and the few surviving Carib Indians staged riots, which were brutally suppressed by the Europeans.

In the 17th century The islands were actively inhabited by the Danes. In 1672, they founded the capital of the islands, Charlotte Amalie, naming the city in honor of the Queen of Denmark. The latter declared the Virgin Islands its colony. In the XVIII-XIX centuries. St. John was a large sugar cane plantation, and St. Thomas - with its large and well-fortified harbor - first became a pirate base and then a center of trade (including slaves) in the West Indies.
Even before the First World War, the Germans planned to capture the islands and control the entrance to the Panama Canal using submarines. In the face of a direct threat, the United States offered to sell the islands to Denmark. After haggling for several months, the parties agreed on a price for the entire archipelago of $25 million. At the 2010 exchange rate, this amount corresponds to $426 million. In 1917, the islands became the property of the United States and became known as the US Virgin Islands.
The Americans built several large military bases on the islands, including a submarine fleet station near Charlotte Amalie.
The US Virgin Islands have a special status as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States: until 1954 they were controlled by the US Ministry of Internal Affairs, then a law came into force according to which the territory is governed by the central government. However, the islands are not part of the United States. Local natives have American citizenship and even elect one deputy to the House of Representatives of the US Congress, although without the right to vote. The head of state is the President of the United States. The islands are subject to US federal laws, in accordance with which the local economy is built.
Almost all of it is based on tourism: 80% of the population is employed in serving guests. Perhaps both industry and Agriculture, if not for the periodic earthquakes and hurricanes that hit these sunny islands and, as a rule, cause catastrophic floods.
At the same time, there is a lack of fresh water on the islands. There are almost no rivers or lakes here, and the groundwater is deep. After the construction of desalination plants, the water supply problem was almost solved. Since rainfall is not uncommon here, until recently residents collected rainwater in special tanks.
85% of the islands' inhabitants are black and mestizo, descendants of African slaves who worked on plantations, and migrants from Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and other Lesser Antilles.
Although the US Virgin Islands are close to each other, there are linguistic differences between them: the Creole dialect of the inhabitants of St. Croix is ​​different from that of the other islands.
This is explained by the fact that in the old days slaves with different islands practically did not communicate with each other, working on plantations and cutting down the jungle for new sugar cane crops.
The latter is the reason that the flora and fauna of the islands are under threat of complete destruction. Only isolated areas of evergreen tropical forest, mahogany and sumac remain on the island of St. John, and mangroves along the coast.
More than half of the island's surface is occupied by Virgin Islands National Park, where the main attractions are coral reefs, rainforest and coastal waters. There are many species of tropical plants, but the only remaining mammals are bats and a small population of feral donkeys.
Another type of sanctuary on the islands is the Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. Located off the coast of Saint John, this nature reserve is designed to protect a complex and sensitive coral reef ecosystem.
In addition to the Danish names of settlements, buildings from the times of Danish colonization have miraculously been preserved on the islands. To preserve the unique historical monuments of the islands, Christiansted National Monument was established on St. Croix. It included Fort Christiansvern, warehouses of the Danish West India and Guinea Company, a customs building and a bell tower.
Salt River Bay National Park on St. Croix is ​​the only place in the United States visited by members of Christopher Columbus's expedition.
Other islands are covered with open forests and shrubs that grew locally former plantations. Only coastal waters are abundant; they are rich in fish, crustaceans and mollusks.

general information
An archipelago of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.
Official name: Virgin Islands .
Location: 60 km east of the island of Puerto Rico, 1770 km southeast of the coast of Florida and southwest of the British Virgin Islands, washed from the north Atlantic Ocean, and from the south - the Caribbean Sea.
Origin: volcanic and coral.
Form of government: unincorporated organized territory of the United States; the executive branch is the governor, the head is the president of the United States.
Administrative division: three districts - St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas; 20 subdistricts.
Administrative center: Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas Island, 54 thousand people, 2009).
Languages: English (official) - 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish-Creole - 16.8%, French or French-Creole - 6.6%. others - 1.9% (2000).
Ethnic composition: descendants of Africans - 79.7%, whites - 7.1%, Asians - 0.8%, mestizos and others - 12.4% (2010).
Religions: Protestants - 59% (Baptists - 42%, Episcopalians - 17%), Catholics - 34%, others - 7%.
Currency unit: U.S. dollar.
Large settlements: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted (St. Croix), Fredericksted (St. Croix), Cruz Bay (St. John).
The most important ports: Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas), Christiansted, Frederiksted (St. Croix), Cruz Bay (St. John).
Major airports: international airports Henry Rolsen (St. Croix) and Cyril King (St. Thomas).
Numbers
Square: 346.36 km 2.
Water surface area: 1%.
Area of ​​territorial waters: 1564 km 2.
Population: 109,574 people (2012).
Population density: 316.4 people/km 2 .
Coastline length: 188 km.
The most high point: Mount Crown (St. Thomas, 474 m).
Economy
GDP: 514,500 per capita (2004).
Below poverty level: 28.9% (2002).
Industry: oil refining, food (rum and sugar), textile.
Agriculture: crop production (sorghum, sugar cane, coconut, citrus fruits, vegetables), livestock farming.
Services sector: tourism, trade.
Climate and weather
Humid tropical, trade wind . There are two dry seasons, the rainy season is September-November.
Average annual temperature: +26°C.
Average annual precipitation: 1120 mm.
Relative humidity: 75-80%.
Tropical storms and hurricanes in August-September.
Attractions
■ Virgin Islands National Park:
■ Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument:
■ Buck Island Reef National Monument;
■ Christiansted National Monument (Santa Cruz): Fort Christiansvern (1738), warehouses of the Danish West India and Guinea Company (1749), bell tower (1753) and customs building (1844);
■ Fort Sali (Santa Cruz, 1617);
■ Museums: National and architectural (Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas). Danish (Christiansted, St. Croix);
■ Mount Peter (St. Thomas);
■ Cockey Bay (St. Thomas);
■ Coral World Marine Observatory (St. Thomas);
■ Archaeological site at Cinnamon Bay (Saint John);
■ Arawak petroglyphs (Saint John);
■ Fort Willoughby (Hassel);
■ Trunk Bay (Saint John);
■ Blackbird Castle (St. Thomas, 1679).
Curious facts
■ Trunk Bay is a bay on the island of St. John. The US National Geographic Society awarded it the title of “Best Beach in the World”.

Virgin Islands. They are divided by three territories: the British Virgin Islands, the American Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Islands. Few people know Spanish in general, since they belong to Puerto Rico. The Virgin Islands have become famous throughout the world for their offshore companies. This is the merit of the British part; it is often called the offshore capital of the world, because up to 40% of offshore companies are registered here. The American part of the islands is the most populated; they sell diamonds and engage in oil refining.

I’m sailing to (BVI, abbreviated locally as BVI, after the first letters of the English name of the territory). Russian citizens need a separate visa to visit the BVI, which is issued by the British consulate.

The islands all have steep terrain on which houses stand. There are 25,000 people living in the BVI. Such a big village.

The Virgin Islands are familiar to us. This the world's largest offshore company. There is no corporate income tax or income tax in the British Virgin Islands individuals, there is also no VAT or sales tax.

40% of all offshore companies in the world are registered in the BVI. Why here? Here you can open a company in 1 day, no one picks on the documents, and the most important thing is confidentiality: in the British Virgin Islands there is no single register of beneficiaries. However, more recently, the authorities of this British overseas jurisdiction began discussing the possibility of creating a single open register of owners. So they might close the shop soon.

Let's see what the offshore capital of the world looks like. So, Road Town is the capital of the British Virgin Islands.

The directory says that 10,000 people live here. I don't know where they live here. The whole city can be walked around in 10 minutes. We would be embarrassed to call it a city. A large village, probably: 4 streets, 2 shops.

This is the island administration:

In order to somehow brighten up the impressions of visiting tourists, all the houses in the center were painted in acid colors. The brighter the better:

At the same time, not a single local resident paints his house like that.

There is nothing at all in the city. I'm not exaggerating this. Several streets with colorful sheds housing cafes and souvenir shops.

Several junk shops:

The main supermarket in the country. There is no public transport: only taxis and rental cars:

I don’t really understand why tourists come here.

Local:

After 10 minutes the city ends, the forest begins:

The city is one of the main yacht charter centers in the Caribbean.

On the outskirts there are old houses:

On the right is the oldest building in the city. This is the former royal prison on Main Street, built in the 1840s:

Now I understand why it only takes 1 day to register a company in the BVI. No one can stand to be here anymore.

A great place to come for an hour on business and get back faster.

Business center of the offshore capital:

The remaining islands of the BVI are sparsely populated.

We are sailing to a neighboring state - (AVO, or simply the Virgin Islands). In English, Virgin Islands of the United States, but when Americans say “Virgin Islands,” they mean the American ones. We often say “Virgin Islands”, meaning the British ones, where there are offshore companies. There are no offshore companies on the American islands. So it is more correct to say “British Virgin Islands” about an offshore paradise, and simply “Virgin Islands” about a tourist paradise.

Unlike the British Isles, the American Isles are much more interesting. Firstly, there are old English double-decker buses. Secondly, 4 times more people live here - 100,000. Everyone here lives off tourists. Like Puerto Rico or Guam, it is an “unincorporated organized territory of the United States.” That is, the locals have American citizenship, but their own laws.

Streets of the capital, Charlotte Amalie. By the way, the Americans bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917:

These are local taxis, buses, minibuses. It's hard to imagine an uglier car. Taxi fares are fixed and are listed on a special sign.

Tourist centre:

Baby dolls are being transported:

Tourists have a good time in the Virgin Islands.

Beaches, yachts, sunshine.

But the main thing is shopping. The entire main street is lined with jewelry stores. All famous brands are represented here. Americans go to the Virgin Islands for diamonds.

The shops don’t know how to attract tourists; they even offer free Wi-Fi. Why is it needed? free Internet in a jewelry store?

In the evening, all the jewelry stores close and you can even take a walk around the city.

It’s actually strange, why do all the stores close at 6 o’clock? Restaurants are open until 9. Locks at the jewelry store:

The main street:

The earliest human settlements in the Virgin Islands date back to approximately 1500 BC. e, although there is evidence of the presence of people here at least a thousand years earlier. The Chiboni, Arawak and Carib Indians successively replaced each other for almost three thousand years. In 1493, Columbus's ships approached the eastern part of the archipelago, known today as the British Virgin Islands, and after him a wave of European settlers poured into the islands - the British, French, Danes, Spaniards and Knights of Malta attempted to take possession of the islands for almost two centuries . It was not until 1672 that the Danish West India Company established its presence on St. Thomas, and in 1694 on St. John. In 1733, the same company acquired the island of Santa Cruz from the French, uniting all three islands under Danish jurisdiction. The sugar industry that developed here was completely dependent on slavery, so African slaves were intensively imported to the islands, and the largest slave auctions in the world are held in Charlotte Amalie (suffice it to say that in 1797, for example, out of a population of thirty thousand on the islands, slaves accounted for 25.5 thousand !). After the abolition of slavery in 1848, the sharp rise in labor costs of freed slaves, drought, hurricanes and falling sugar prices led to a sharp deterioration in the economic situation of the Danish West Indies, and the rapidly growing United States turned its attention to these conveniently located islands and their deep-water harbors. Only the outbreak of the Civil War did not allow the Senate to allocate the required $7.5 million for the acquisition of St. Thomas and St. John from Denmark. After the outbreak of World War I, when there was a real threat of occupation of the islands by German troops and thereby establishing control over the eastern entrance to the Panama Canal, Denmark sold its possessions in the Virgin territory for $25 million in gold - the highest price the United States had ever paid for Caribbean land.

Nowadays, this small piece of land is a recognized center for duty-free trade and tourism. Despite the fact that the government of the US Virgin has never sought to give tourism a dominant position in the economy, it employs more than a third of the entire working population of the islands, and the development of recreation infrastructure continues at a rapid pace. The Virgin Islands' landscape is dramatic and includes the dense subtropical forests of the St. John Hills, barren and arid patches of succulent vegetation along the coastal highlands, extensive mangrove swamps and beautiful shorelines - ranking the Virgin Islands among the best beach areas in the basin Caribbean Sea. Luxurious resorts, an armada of cruise ships that regularly visit the islands, excellent conditions for diving, windsurfing and mass yachting regularly attract more than one and a half million tourists a year.

St. Thomas

St. Thomas Island occupies a strategically important location in the Anegada Strait, a key shipping route for the Panama Canal. Boasting one of the finest deep-water harbors in the Caribbean, St. Thomas and its picturesque capital and a developed duty-free zone, is well developed as a resort area and is literally oversaturated with shops, hotels and restaurants. The island itself is strikingly beautiful - the forested slopes of picturesque hills form numerous capes separating beautiful bays and coves filled with turquoise blue water. There are more than forty beautiful beaches, and excellent dive sites are found at almost every turn.

Charlotte Amalie

The capital of the domain, Charlotte Amalie, was founded by the Danes in 1672, and received its modern name after the Danish queen, wife of King Christian V, in 1691. Today it is a lively and bustling city, with extremely polite local residents (this property is considered national peculiarity islanders), always crowded with tourists and very hectic. The center of the city, as you might guess, is its port, which in some incomprehensible way has preserved the Danish style and is constantly filled with giant cruise ships. Framed by a row of duty-free shops, neat old warehouses painted in pastel colors, green parks and various service buildings, it is topped by the modest building of Fort Christian - the main historical landmark of the city. The fortress was built in 1672 as a joint post for guarding the port from attacks by pirate armadas, a government house, a church and a meeting room for the city community at the same time. When the threat of pirate invasion disappeared, the fort became a prison, and since 1987 has housed the Museum of the Virgin Islands with an extensive collection of natural heritage region and art (open from Monday to Friday, from 8.00 to 16.30, on Saturdays from 10.00 to 15.00). The fort complex is now considered the oldest European structure on St. Thomas.

On nearby Government Hill looms the medieval skyline of Skatesborg, better known today as Blackbird Castle. One of many fortresses built by the Danes in the 17th century to protect the island, Skatesborg is the only fortification of its kind and age in the Caribbean. Local legends give this building a special flavor, according to which it was here that the famous pirate of the 19th century lived, who served as the prototype for the famous literary character - the misogynist Bluebeard (which is why it is often called Bluebird Castle).

A little further south, on Veterans Drive, stands the green Legislative Building (open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), which today houses the islands' government office. And to the north, on Norre Gade, stands the Gregorian church Frederick Lateran Church (built in 1850 on the site of the first Danish church in the Virgin Islands, which was destroyed by fire and hurricanes). To the north-east of the church, on Köngens Gade, stands the imposing white mansion Government House (1866, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, free entry), which originally housed the Danish Colonial Council. It now houses the office of the administration of the US Virgin Islands and an art museum with works by famous local artists. Somewhat to the west, the palm-lined Ninety Nine Steps staircase (as if in defiance of its name, it has 103 steps rather than 99) begins, leading north to the top of Government Hill, from where a beautiful panorama of the harbor and surrounding city neighborhoods opens up.

A little to the west, on Crystal Gade, rises the unique Beracha V "Shalom V" Gimilat Chasidim synagogue, which was built by Jews fleeing Spain. The first synagogue building was erected on this site in 1796 and, after a fire destroyed it in 1804, it was rebuilt in 1833 - thus, it is the oldest synagogue in the United States and the second oldest in the Western Hemisphere (open Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 16.00). Next door is the Weible Museum (open from Monday to Friday, from 9.00 to 16.00) - an interesting exhibition of the three-hundred-year history of the Jewish community on the islands, as well as the Camille Pissarro Gallery, housed in the very building where this artist, one of the founders, was born in 1830 French school of impressionism. Somewhat to the east, on Nyi Gade, is the modest church of St. Thomas Reformed Church (19th century), and to the south, on Main Street, rises the majestic three-story Crown House (18th century) - the home of Peter von Scholten, Governor General Danish West Indies.

Also at the foot of Government Hill you can find the Seven Arches Museum, or the Danish Museum, the “Pillar of Venus” on Magnolia Hill, the green Emancipation Park (1848), the Lavalette House mansion and the semicircular green block at its western wall (locals they simply call it Park) beautiful square Vendors Plaza and Drakes Seat is where famous captain Francis Drake first landed on the island at the end of the 16th century (the beach itself is located outside the capital). A huge number of duty-free shops are concentrated in the port area, between Raadets Gade, Main Street and Post Office Alley - here you can buy almost every conceivable product from all over the world, and at very liberal prices.

In the eastern part of the bay stretches the Havensight Alley area, where there are several picturesque alleys, a dock for cruise ships and the famous Atlantis submarine, which dives to a depth of up to 30 meters with tourists on board, as well as the terminus of the Skyride Paradise Tramway , which takes tourists to the top of Slag Hill (210 m). Double Danish-English street signs here emphasize the rich historical past of this area, and the shady alleys create a uniquely romantic atmosphere.

Around the city

The entrance to Charlotte Amalie Harbor is closed by two fairly large islands - Hassel Island (0.22 sq. km) and Water Island (0.49 sq. km). Uninhabited Hassel Island is part of the Virgin Islands National Park System and is home to a nature reserve of the same name. Of the historical buildings here, you can only find the ruins of an old British military garrison (19th century) and the construction of a hotel, abandoned for many years - the rest of the island is given over to the power of plants.

Water Island is famous for its beautiful beaches and is a favorite Sunday destination for residents of the capital. Here you can explore the underground Fort Segarra, built to protect the shipping zone during the Second World War (excursions are conducted through the tunnels and underground casemates of the fort), an observation deck (a former correction point of the same fort), Botanical Gardens in the very center of the island, the ruins of old plantations (considered unique in their way, since the island and plantations belonged to free (!) immigrants from Africa), primarily the well-preserved Caroline Point Plantation. The island's most popular beach is Honeymoon Beach, with soft white sand in the sheltered Drift Bay.

3.5 km west of the city, on the slopes of the “mountain” of St. Peter Greathouse, are the Botanical Gardens (open daily from 9.00 to 16.00). In addition to a wonderful set of plantings containing around 200 specimens from across the region, there is an old distillery and a shop selling local arts and crafts. At the same distance east of the city limits, in the town of Tata, lies the green area of ​​Taylet Gardens - a real “city of craftsmen”, where you can see all types of local crafts and the artisans themselves at work, as well as purchase their works in a small shop (the most popular Mexican restaurant "Pollis"). A north of the capital, in the very center of the island, rises Mount Drake's Seat (413 m) with a memorial sign installed on its top, from the place of which, as local legends say, Sir Francis Drake himself watched the surrounding waters and ships passing through the strait. And the view from here is truly amazing. At the northern foot of Drakes Sea lies Magens Bay Beach, touted by National Geographic Magazine as one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. To the west lies the huge Mountain Top shopping complex, offering unprecedented discounts and a huge selection of goods (by the way, it is the “homeland” of the world famous Banana Daiquiri cocktail, which is mixed exclusively with local Cruzan rum).

Red Hook

The small town of Red Hook, located on the very east of the island, is often called the "little capital of St. Thomas." Indeed, it has all the “conveniences” of Charlotte Amalie, albeit on a smaller scale. Ferries from Saint John, Tortola and numerous resort islands on the east coast come here. There is a popular yacht marina and many shops, several shady alleys and a huge number of good restaurants. But the city's main attraction is the famous Coral World Marine Park at Coqui Point (open daily from 9am to 5.30pm; admission US$18 for adults and US$9 for children). This 4.5-acre park contains an Underwater Observatory, Marine Trail ( underwater tunnel with transparent walls leading to a sunken tanker turned into an artificial reef; admission fee - $68), a special aquarium containing sea turtles and iguanas, as well as Coqui Beach itself in Smith Bay - probably best beach for snorkeling on the island. The surrounding waters of St. John Bay, Red Bay, Cockey Bay, Great Bay, Compet Bay and Nazareth Bay are surrounded by a large natural reef, providing many opportunities for marine recreation.

Shores

St. Thomas's rugged coastline offers a huge variety of coves, bays, headlands and peninsulas on which to find beach areas, each with its own natural conditions. On the northern coast, the best place to relax by the sea is considered to be Magens Bay, protected by two capes, with its almost two-kilometer strip of beach, as well as the Hull Bay area. In the west, Hull Bay Beach with its Inner Brass and Outer Brass reefs is very popular, especially among windsurfers. To the east, Sapphire Beach (especially for windsurfers and divers) and the entire coastline of Wessup Bay near Red Hook are noteworthy.

The shores on the south side of the island are not so good - there are more rocky areas and mangrove swamps, but not far from the capital you can find good (and deserted!) beaches of Brewers Bay, 5 km west of the city, and the well-maintained Morningstar Beach in Frenchmans -Reef (1.5 km south of Havensite), quiet Limetri Beach, as well as the excellent Bolongo Beach and the resort area of ​​the same name around it, which can be reached by the Reefer ferry ($3 each way). Bluebird Beach is renowned for its excellent windsurfing conditions, while Coqui Beach on the north-east coast is popular with snorkelers. There is only one good surf spot on the islands - Hill Bay, west of Magence Bay.

Saint John

Saint John Island is the smallest of the group's main islands and the oldest of them. The top of the ancient underwater volcano, rising 364 meters out of the water in the form of Mount Kemelberg Peak, forms with its slopes a complex system of capes and bays that stand out strongly into the sea, which are a real paradise for nature lovers. Once known as a thriving agricultural community founded by Danish settlers in the early 18th century, this rocky and wild island is now considered a prime destination for outdoor activities with its superb white beaches. Its main attraction is the Virgin Islands National Park, densely overgrown with lush tropical forest. The history of its origin is somewhat unusual - in the middle of the 20th century, the American financier Lawrence Rockefeller visited Saint John and, inspired by its beauty, simply bought part of the island and built a private resort and a small (then tent) camp on the site of an old sugar plantation. Rockefeller donated the remaining undeveloped 2000 hectares to the government of the country, and today this territory, occupying almost two-thirds of the island, has been turned into a protected area of ​​the national park.

One of best excursions around the island is the Bordeaux Mountain Trail, which leads to the top of the mountain of the same name, as well as the peaks of Kemelberg and Mami, offering quite strenuous excursions and magnificent scenery, while a walk to the old Annaberg plantation allows you to explore the partially restored ruins of the plantation and sugar mill. factory of the 18th century. The national park also covers a large area of ​​adjacent reef areas, providing excellent diving sites with vibrant marine life. Particularly popular are the very beautiful Trunk Bay, as well as Reef Bay and Salt Pond Bay.

Cruz Bay

The main city on the island, Cruz Bay, was founded at the beginning of the 19th century by Danish soldiers from St. Thomas, who equipped the south west coast observation post and outpost. Now home to half of the island's nearly 4,000 residents, St. John's best shops, restaurants and nightlife are concentrated here. Unlike other capitals of the islands, there are no special examples of architecture or history, but this is a very suitable place for a quiet and cozy pastime. The center of the city is, naturally, the port in an unusual L-shaped bay, the Municipal Park and its pavilion, where all the island’s guests like to gather over a glass of beer, as well as the Mongus Junction shopping alley in the north-eastern corner of the port area. Wharfside Village Beach is the only beach within the city, although swimming is not recommended due to heavy traffic in the city's harbour. But here, right on the shore, there is an extensive shopping area, not inferior in its variety of retail outlets to the Mongus Junction area.

A five-minute walk from the city center stands the Elaine-ion-Sprouve mansion (XVIII century), which now houses a library and a fairly extensive collection of materials and things on the history and culture of the countries of the Caribbean region. 7 km northeast of the city, overlooking Leinster Bay, you can find the well-preserved Annaberg Plantation (1733, entry $4). And almost in the very center of the island you can visit the ruins of the old Katherineberg plantation and sugar factory, which served as the headquarters for the leaders of the slave revolt in the 1730s. On the opposite south coast islands, in Reef Bay, there are several more interesting ruins of old plantations (all of them lie within National Park Virgin Islands).

Besides the capital, the only serious city on the island is Coral Bay- the location of the first Danish colony on St. John, which these days is a fairly rapidly growing commercial area with many restaurants and shops (however, they are mostly popular only with local residents). The oldest church on the island is located here - Emmaus Moravian Church (before 1733).

To the west of Reef Bay, near a small cascade of waterfalls of the same name, a whole group of petroglyphs was discovered, which were allegedly left by the Taino Indians about a thousand years before Europeans arrived in these parts. In Cinamon Bay, excavations uncovered a Taino ceremonial center, where numerous examples of pottery with symbolism identical to the Reef Bay petroglyphs were discovered. On the eastern side of the island, in the area of ​​the Rams Head rock jutting out into the sea, there is a favorite viewing platform for all guests of the island, which offers a majestic panorama of the adjacent islands and straits, as well as a beautiful view of the nearby thickets of cacti, sometimes blooming in whole groups.

Shores

The seemingly rocky shores of Saint John provide excellent conditions for relaxation by the sea for all categories of tourists. White sand beach in Leinster Bay, famous beach Maho, Francis Bay and Watermelone Cay are excellent for a civilized beach holiday. The shores of Watermalone Cay, Great Laimshaw Bay and Little Laimshaw Bay are excellent for diving and snorkeling, while the ever-crowded shores of Trunk Bay, Caneel Bay, Hawksnest Bay and Cinamon Bay serve as the center of local social life.

Santa Cruz

The island of Santa Cruz (locals call it Santa Croix or Sainte-Croix) is much less developed in terms of tourism than Saint Thomas, but it is an excellent place to “disconnect” from the benefits of civilization and relax on the isolated shores of the tropical coast. The largest, flattest, and southernmost of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is ​​surrounded by magnificent coral reefs, and its hundreds of old sugar plantations and the stone towers of numerous windmills add significant color to the otherwise tranquil landscape. The island's landscape is a mixture of low rocky hills ("sierras") to the north, a vast fertile coastal plain to the south, tropical forest and, of course, picturesque shores. Almost the entire island has been managed by the National Park Service since 1948 and has retained its natural and historical charm.

Christiansted

The former capital of the US Virgin Islands and an old Danish colony, Christiansted has repeatedly won the honorary title of "the cutest town in the Caribbean." The city was founded by Danish settlers in 1735 and named after Christian VI, King of Denmark. Situated in a vast bay on the northern shore of the island, Christiansted is laid out so simply and intelligently that it is simply impossible to get lost in its territory. The stark lines of old Danish warehouses, customs houses, government buildings and a church cluster around a beautiful harbour, with some of the town's oldest houses built from bricks that were brought to the islands as ballast on ships as early as 500 years ago.

Almost all of Christiansted's historical attractions, interspersed with small restaurants and picturesque courtyards, are centered around the old fort, at the junction of Christiansted Harbor and Gallows Bay. Fort Christiansvaern (Christiansted) was built in 1749-1774. and protected the city from pirates and unruly slaves until 1878, when it was converted into a police department. From the battlements of the fort there is a beautiful panorama of the harbor and ramparts, abundantly lined with old guns. Today, the fort complex is surrounded by the green area of ​​Hamilton-Jackson Park, around which all the old buildings of the city are concentrated. Here you can see the Stipple Building - the first church built by the Danes after the colonization of the island (now home to the Historical Museum with an extensive collection of exhibits from pre-Columbian times to the colonial era), the impressive Government House (1747), the Old Customs House (now used as an art gallery), Scale House, Post Office Building, Alexander Hamilton House and Immaculate Botanical Garden St. George's Village, which contains over 1,500 varieties of plants planted around the old plantation buildings, workshops and distillery.

Just a block southwest stands the imposing Lord God of Sabbat Lutheran Church, the Florence Williams Library complex, the City Tourist Office and Trade area, and a little to the north, along the shore of the bay, stretches the picturesque seaside promenade Boardwalk. Even further to the southwest, in the area of ​​​​the former city outskirts, you can see the Gothic Anglican Church of St. John with an extensive cemetery near its walls, the Catholic Holy Cross Catholic Church and the huge Friedentshall Moravian Church (XVIII century, both churches are considered the most the oldest of the temples of these faiths on US soil). Almost lost among the impressive churches is another historical monument of the city - the Christiansted Pharmacy, founded by a young Danish pharmacist in 1828 (the pharmacy itself was closed in 1970, and its equipment was moved to the Vim Estate Museum, but in the late 1990s everything was returned to its original state the place where the Historical Hall was opened). Even further to the west stands the new Senate building.

On the other side of Gallows Bay lies the Christiansted Marina and the small beach of the Kay Hotel, and further to the northwest, in Cane Bay, there is a large beach complex with a restaurant and dive center. The old Santa Cruz Aquarium, located almost in the center of the city, is currently closed, and its inhabitants are preparing to move to a new location. Approximately 5 km west of Christiansted is the Salt River Canal, a freshwater channel that allows yachts to enter the port. The area is part of the National Ecological and Historical Park complex, since it was here that sailors from Columbus's caravels first landed to explore the island, and it was here that many interesting archaeological finds from the pre-Columbian era were discovered. Further west along West Airport Road is the Cruz Rum Distillery, where you can sample any brand of local rum and watch the production process. Nearby is the green Kramer Park with a beautiful beach and a picnic area.

Frederiksted

On the west coast, in a vast bay that almost entirely occupies this part of the island, is located the port city of Frederiksted, which is somewhat smaller than Christiansted. Founded around the same time as the capital of the island, the city fell victim to a huge fire in 1879, which almost completely destroyed all buildings. Therefore, many of his modern historical monuments are only carefully restored copies standing on foundations from the mid-18th century. Its main monument is the large Fort Frederick next to the pier, which was built in 1760 (now an art gallery and museum, open Monday to Friday, from 8.30 to 16.00). It was at this fort that on July 3, 1848, Governor General Pieter van Scholten signed a decree abolishing slavery in the Danish West Indies. Favorite local attractions also include St. Paul's Anglican Church (1812), St. Patrick's Catholic Church (1842), the old Danish school (mid-1830s, all on Prince Street), Lutheran and Moravian churches, as well as St. Ann's Catholic Church on Center Island.

Not far from the city are the 35-meter Crack Dam and the 15-acre Rhine Forest Nature Reserve with a small workshop of wood carvers (it is worth noting that local craftsmen use only the wood of dead trees as the starting material), as well as the exotic Mahogany tree lined Road (the forest itself around the road is private property, access to its territory is possible only with the permission of the owner).

In the eastern part of the island, noteworthy are Fort Frederick (19th century) and the surrounding picturesque area of ​​old houses, the only Santa Cruz lighthouse on the island (19th century) on the top of the Hams Bluff cliff, the neoclassical mansion of the Wim Estate plantation (18th century) with windmill, unusually curved walls and a unique dry moat that served to ventilate this huge building (now there is a small museum), as well as the famous Point Adall and its Millennium Monument - the easternmost point of the United States. Nearby stands the “Heavenly Eye” - a colossal radio telescope antenna for exploring the Universe (one of 9 similar antennas of a single system of radio telescopes framing the entire territory of the United States). And to the north, beyond the narrow Buck Island Channel, lies a vast area National Nature Reserve Buck Island Reef (1962), consisting of 700 acres of pristine reef and 180 acres of land (Buck Island itself). The entire island and its surrounding reef are designated as a protected area, but diving is permitted and there are even real underwater excursions - the Turtle Bay Trail and the East End Trail (staghorn coral, which is found in abundance). in these waters, belongs to the best examples of this species on the planet).

Shores

The island's attractions also include its excellent beaches and excellent diving sites. The best beach areas of Santa Cruz are located along its northern coast, in the areas of Cane Bay Beach, Buccaneer Beach, Cheney Bay Beach, Coakley Bay Beach, Columbus Landing Beach, Gentle Winds Beach, Grapetree -Bay, Isaacs Bay, Jacks Bay, West End Beach and Sugar Beach. The main places for diving and snorkeling are concentrated in these same regions. Colony Cove Beach is widely known for its beautiful reef, in addition to which there is also an artificial reef made from old tires. Other excellent beach areas include Cormoran Beach Club and Hibiscus Hotel Beach west of Christiansted, Cramer Park Public Beach at the end of Route 82, Reef Beach in Teague Bay, and the beautiful secluded Sandy Point Beach in the southwest. corner" of the island, the quiet sandy Shoe Beach east of Christiansted, as well as the one and a half kilometer Spratt Hull and Rainbow Beach Club north of Frederiksted.

The British Virgin Islands are a territory consisting of 60 small islands. Its area is 153 km2. The British Virgin Islands are an overseas land of Great Britain. Located in the northeastern Caribbean, 1770 km south of Florida. They are the southeastern part of the archipelago of islands, which includes the US Virgin Islands. Road Town, located on the island of Tortola, is the capital. Official language- English.

Currently, the archipelago of the Virgin Islands is divided by two states - Great Britain and the USA.

Historical reference

These lands in the 1st century BC. e. inhabited by Arawak Indians. In the 15th century The warlike tribes of the Caribs who lived in the Lesser Antilles conquered the Indians.

The great Christopher Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands in 1493 during his second voyage. Spain declared them its possession, but did not begin to develop them. The Dutch, English, Danes, and French showed interest in them. The Indian population was exterminated almost completely.

In 1672, the island of Tortola was captured by England. And eight years later (1680), the British captured the islands of Virgin Gorda and Anegarda. They began to grow sugar cane in the occupied territories. To do this, they brought here black slaves from Africa.

When slavery was abolished in England in 1834, contract workers from Portugal and India began working on the plantations.

Virgin Islands on the world map

The United States acquired its part of the islands in 1917. Basically, they are uninhabited. The US Virgin Islands (this is clearly visible on the map) are adjacent to the Virgin Islands (British) in the east and Puerto Rico in the west.

The largest of them are St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. total area the entire territory - 346.36 km2. The US Virgin Islands are divided into two large districts. In addition, there are 20 small subdistricts. The population is 108 thousand people. These are mainly people from South America and African Americans. 30% of the population is employed in the tourism business.

Today it is one of the most popular resort destinations in the world. The islands' capital, Charlotte Amalie, is located on St. Thomas.

Vacations in the US Virgin Islands

The most suitable time for a holiday on the islands is from the second half of December until the very end of April. This time is the peak season, so the cost of services is much higher than from May to August, despite the fact that weather excellent at this time.

Developed resorts of St. Thomas with its snow-white beaches, picturesque bays, bays with turquoise water - all this is a vacation on the American Islands.

There are about 40 beaches here, most of which are well equipped. The calmest and most deserted of them is snow-white Limetri, located in the south of St. Thomas.

Hotels on the islands are classified according to the star system accepted throughout the world and comply with generally accepted standards.

What to see

On the American islands you can see the ancient Blackbird Castle and Fort Christian, where (according to local residents) the prototype of Bluebeard once lived. Those who wish can climb Mount St. Peter and walk around Charlotte Amalie Square.

On the island of Santa Cruz you can visit sugar cane plantations. The city of Kristianstend was once a city of Danish colonialists. Here you will be invited to visit the Cruzan wineries. You can see all of the Virgin Islands while taking to the skies in a twin-engine plane.

In the north of the island of St. Thomas there is an amazingly beautiful Cokey Bay and a unique aquarium with numerous tropical fish and other marine life.

Where to stay

There are quite a lot of hotels on the American islands. However, holidays here are not cheap. Accommodation prices in resort hotels at least $300 per day per person. Moreover, this amount is considered minimal.

Many tourists enjoy staying in tent camps, but they are not available on all islands.

If you have the required amount, you can rent a villa on the coast or an apartment.

Entertainment

The US Virgin Islands are simply created for a calm and peaceful holiday.

Nature has created unique conditions for diving here. Underwater caves and coral reefs invite you to dive into the bright turquoise sea waters.

The most colorful entertainment here is undoubtedly carnivals. The brightest takes place in St. Thomas. Here you can see masquerade, musical performances, and dance competitions. Once you see this sight, it is impossible to forget it.

In April, all famous yachtsmen of the Caribbean gather for the International Regatta in St. Thomas.

A similar event takes place in early June in Saint John. The celebration flows smoothly into Fireworks Week.

At the beginning of the year, Santa Cruz hosts an exciting and very fun holiday - the Carp Festival. Sport fishing is also a type of active recreation. Even a beginner can become a champion here - there is a lot of fish, equipment can be rented.

British Virgin Islands

As on the American islands, tourism flourishes on these lands. This is one of best places for diving, yachting, windsurfing. In addition, the British Virgin Islands (you see the photo in our article) are an abundance of historical and cultural attractions. You can visit unique art galleries and exhibitions of magnificent handmade samples from local residents. Fans of ecotourism will also find a lot of interesting things here. The islands have developed interesting walking routes that will amaze you with their unique vegetation.

Tourists can enjoy comfortable hotels, wonderful cafes and restaurants, and nightclubs. If we add to this the excellent level of service and hospitality of the local population, it becomes clear that a holiday on the islands can become unforgettable.

Climate

The average annual air temperature ranges from 23 to 28 degrees. This stable climate makes it possible to visit the Virgin Islands all year round. The peak season occurs between November and March. At this time, prices here increase significantly. Although even in May - October, holidays on the islands can hardly be called cheap.

Attractions

The most vivid impressions on the islands, according to our compatriots who have already been here, are excursions taking place in Road Town - the very big city and the main port located in the south of the island of Tortola. Road Town is surrounded by the sea and three large hills.

Here you can see the 18th-century post office, St. Phillips Cathedral, the former governor's residence, which over time became the Public Museum. In the southwest of the city stands Fort Carlotte, which in ancient times was a defensive structure and then a prison.

The Virgin Islands (British) are also rich in natural monuments. There are 15 national parks and reserves here.

Restaurants

The national cuisine of the Virgin Islands is a very vibrant and original mixture of culinary schools from around the world. There are a sufficient number of restaurants here that use various recipes, most often borrowed from the best chefs in Asia, Africa and Europe. It is interesting that they are mixed so talentedly and originally that they form something of their own, unique, island menu. Most of Products are imported to the islands, but local fruits and seafood occupy a special place of honor.

Safety

The standard of living in the Virgin Islands is the highest among other Caribbean countries. The banking and offshore sectors of the economy provide the island treasury with a steady flow of funds, which is why there is a low level of unemployment and crime. British Isles is rightfully considered the safest territory in the Western Hemisphere.

Vladimir Dergachev

American Virgin Islands (AVO) are located 60 km east of Puerto Rico. The islands of St. Thomas, St. John's and St. Croix stand out. AVOs have the status of an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, in other words, an American colony. They are part of the Virgin Islands, which also includes the British Virgin Islands.

The population of the AVO is 106.4 thousand people (2010). Residents have the status of citizens of the United States.

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The Virgin Islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. The islands were successively owned by Great Britain, Spain, France and the Order of Malta. Denmark subsequently took possession of the island of St. Thomas, captured the island of St. John's and bought the island of St. Croix from France. However, local sugar cane plantations, with the exception of Santa Cruz Island, did not generate income, so the trade in slaves and rum flourished. The port of St. Thomas became a base Caribbean pirates. After the decline of the slave trade and sugar production, the Danish West India Company sold the islands to the United States in 1917 for $25 million, which was equal to six months of the Danish state's budget.

The Russian Empire also considered purchasing St. John's Island to house naval base, Russian warships entered the local harbor. But, probably, in St. Petersburg they thought for a long time, unlike the Americans.

The world's oldest Knights of Malta, the Order of the Roman Catholic Church, left its mark on the history of the West Indies. In 1651, the Hospitallers acquired several islands, including the island of St. Martin, and later received private ownership of the island of St. Croix. But in 1665, the Order sold its holdings to the French West India Company.

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The US Virgin Islands consists of three counties: Santa Cruz (50.6 thousand inhabitants) with the administrative center of Christiansted County, Mente Thomas (51.6 thousand inhabitants) with the administrative center of the ownership of Charlotte Amalie, and St. John's ( 4.2 thousand inhabitants).

The population is 76% black and 13% white. The language is predominantly English (75%). Baptists (42%) and Catholics (34%) predominate. The average life expectancy under the tropical sun is 82 years for women and 76 years for men.

President of the AVO Barak Obmana, head of the executive branch - governor. Three parties are vying for a seat in the Senate.
The basis of the territory's economy is tourism (80% of GDP), income exceeds over $600 million. More than 2 million tourists visit AVO annually. St. Thomas and its beaches are included in the world TOP 10 most beautiful islands and beaches of the world. The island is one of the top tropical resorts in the United States where Americans escape the winter.

Information about the main disadvantage of Caribbean cruises. Many tourists go to the West Indies to come face to face with pristine nature. But when two or three cruise superliners moor to the island every day, local beaches turn into overcrowded ghettos or psychodromes.

On the island of Santa Cruz was located one of the largest oil refineries in the Western Hemisphere of the American company Amerada Hess, with a capacity of 23 million tons per year. The refinery operated on Venezuelan oil. Despite Hugo Chavez's confrontation with the United States, Venezuela sold oil to the United States. An agreement was reached with American President Bill Clinton on a price corridor for Venezuelan oil. Subsequently, a law was passed requiring transnational corporations to keep 30% of profits from oil sales (instead of 16%). By 2007, the nationalization of oil companies was completed.
Losses of the joint venture of the American corporation Hess and the state oil company of Venezuela (Hovensa company) amounted to $1.3 billion. This was caused by the nationalization of American oil companies in Venezuela, as well as a reduction in demand due to the global crisis and an increase in production volumes in emerging markets. The refinery is being converted into a storage tank for petroleum products.