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Mountains and Hills
While the small coral islands are relatively flat, the larger volcanic islands
are steep and hilly. Elevations can exceed 1,000 ft (305 m). The
highest point is Crown Mountain, (1,555 ft / 474 m) on St. Thomas.
Inland Waterways
Due to their small sizes and often steep and hilly terrain, the Virgin Islands
lack rivers, streams, or freshwater lakes of any consequence. However,
salt ponds and marshes dot the flat coraline islands.
Coast, Islands, Ocean
The Virgin Islands are situated in the Caribbean Sea near the Anegada Passage,
which handles heavy shipping traffic for the Panama Canal. Only three
of the islands are important in size: St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. St.
Croix is the largest at 84 sq mi (218 sq km). St. Thomas is the next largest (28
sq mi / 73 sq km) and is the site of one of the best natural deepwater harbors
in the Caribbean. St. John is 20 sq mi (52 sq km) in size. The rest of the
Virgin Islands are islets. All of the islands are fringed by coral reefs.
Climate and Vegetarion
Temperature
The climate is subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, and has little
seasonal variation. Temperatures range from 70° to 90°F (21° to 32°C)
year-round, with relatively low humidity.
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Rainfall
The rainy season is from May to November. Prolonged periods of rain are rare,
but the islands are subject to occasional hurricanes.
Grasslands
Some of the slopes and tablelands are covered with grasses and scrub.
Forests and Jungles
Rainforest is found on St. Croix, and covers the upper third of St. John,
three-fifths of which is national park. Some 800 species of plants are found in
the islands.
Human Population
The islands have no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US
Government, but Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas constitute
second-order units. Almost all of the population lives on St. Croix and St.
Thomas, with most of the rest on St. John. In 2001, the population growth rate
was 1.06 percent.
Natural Resources
The Virgin Island's economy relies primarily on tourism. Its greatest natural
resource is the subtropical beauty of its islands, which includes sun,
sand, sea, surf, and coral reefs. A substantial portion of the natural
surroundings is preserved in the Virgin Islands National Park. The Virgin
Islands also produce rum and bay rum.
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U.S. Virgin Islands
guide
Caribbean guide
Best of U.S. Virgin Islands
Explore U.S. Virgin Islands
St Croix
Christiansted
Christiansted
The town of Christiansted
Around Christiansted
Bars and restaurants
Nightlife
The beaches
Shopping
Frederiksted
Frederiksted
Around Frederiksted
Travel practicalities
St John
St
John
Arrival and info
Getting around
The beaches
Eating and drinking
Nightlife
Charlotte Amalie
Charlotte Amalie
The town
Restaurants in Charlotte
Restaurants
in Frenchtown
Nightlife
Bars and clubs
Entertainment venues
Around Charlote Amalie
The
beaches
Downtown
The legend of Blackbeard
Havensight, Atlantis Submarines
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