Us virgin islands is part of usa

Grant Awards to the U.S. Virgin Islands 

FY 2020

  • 7/28/2020 - Trump Administration Awards $3 Million in Grants to Support the U.S. Virgin Islands
  • 1/13/2020 - Interior Announces $4.4 Million Payment to U.S. Virgin Islands for Adjustment to FY 2019 Rum Excise Taxes
  • 11/4/2019 - Interior Assistant Secretary Domenech Completes Trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands

History & Political Status

The Caribbean island chain known as the Virgin Islands was divided into two parts in the 17th century, one English and the other Danish.  The Danish part had been in economic decline for quite some time, owing to losses in sugarcane production after slavery was abolished in 1848.  In 1917, the United States purchased the Danish part for $25 million, mainly for strategic reasons to assure tranquility in the Caribbean Ocean.  U.S. citizenship was conferred on U.S. Virgin Islanders in 1927.  Federal authority over the new U.S. territory was placed in the Department of the Interior in 1931, where it resides.  The Organic Act of 1936 laid the foundation for self-government and a more elaborate governmental structure emerged from the revised Organic Act of 1954.  The first elections for constitutional officers were held in 1970.

U.S.V.I. Leadership

Albert Bryan, Jr.​
Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands

Office of the Governor
Government House
21-22 Kongens Gade
Charlotte Amalie
St. Thomas, VI 00802

1 (340) 774-0001
1 (340) 693-4309 Fax
Website

Stacey Plaskett
U.S. Representative

U.S. House of Representatives
509 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-5501

(202) 225-1790
(202) 225-5517 Fax
Website

The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. The arc of Caribbean islands begins off the coast of Florida and extends all the way to South America. The region includes hundreds of islands and cays.

Greater Antilles & Lesser Antilles

Us virgin islands is part of usa

They are grouped by location into the Greater Antilles which includes the larger islands in the northwestern area (Cuba, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti/Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico); and the Lesser Antilles which includes all the other islands from the Virgin Islands in the northerly Leeward Islands, to the southeastern Windward Islands and the islands just north of Venezuela.

The Virgin Islands

Us virgin islands is part of usa

The US Virgin Islands are 40-50 miles east of Puerto Rico; and about 1106 miles southeast Miami, Florida.

The Virgin Islands are divided between the United States and the United Kingdom; so you have the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

U.S. Virgin Islands

The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. The total area of the USVI is 133 square miles.

British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller islands. The total area of the BVI is 59 square miles. The British Virgin Islands lie to the northeast of the United States Virgin Islands.

About the Islands

The islands are the peaks of submerged mountains that rise from the ocean floor. Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola in the BVI, which is 1,710 feet high. The geography of the islands consists of seaside cliffs, mountains with lush forest, tiny streams, arid lands and beautiful white sand beaches.

More Information


  • Getting Here


  • FAQ’s


  • History


  • Weather

Virgin Islands Guides

St. Croix

St. Croix is 84 square miles in size, 22 miles long and the widest point is a little more than 6 miles. The terrain on the east end of the island is rocky and arid with short grassy hillsides and many cactus clusters. The west end of the island is lush with large fruit trees and ferns gracing the mountains. In the middle of the island are miles of beautiful beaches, rolling pasture lands and beautiful land. St. Croix’s highest peak, Mount Eagle, is 1,088 feet high. The land slopes to flat-lands on the southern side of the island. There are two main towns Frederiksted and Christiansted. There are a few natural harbors and protected bays. St. Croix is about 40 miles away from St. Thomas. St. Croix →

St. Thomas

St. Thomas is known for having one long ridge of hills running east and west through the center of the island with smaller ridges branching off from the center. St. Thomas, thirteen miles long by four miles wide, encompasses a little over 31 square miles. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. St. Thomas has a beautiful natural harbor and many protected bays. There are relatively no flat areas on St. Thomas. St. Thomas →

St. John

St. John is located about 4 miles from St. Thomas’ east end. It has hills and valleys and relatively few flat areas. St. John encompasses 20 square miles of beautiful scenery. The island is 7 miles long by 3 miles wide. The highest point is Bordeaux Mountain at 1,277 feet. The island’s coastal areas have many fine protected bays. A natural harbor is found in Coral Bay, however Cruz Bay is the main town and ‘harbor’. More than two thirds of the island is protected by the National Park Service. St. John →

Water Island

Water Island is the smallest populated island of USVI group. It is only 491.5 acres in size. Water Island is 2½ miles long and ½ to 1 mile wide. The island has an irregular shape with many bays and peninsulas. The highest Point is 300 feet above sea level. It is located just half a mile from St. Thomas’ south side. Water Island →

Is U.S. Virgin Islands part of the United States?

As an unincorporated United States Territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands has all the benefits of being a Caribbean location with key U.S. benefits. This unique territory status enables St. Croix, St. John, St.

Do you need a U.S. passport to go to the Virgin Islands?

If you are a U.S. citizen a passport is not required, but it still serves as the best identification when traveling. Otherwise, you must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship when departing the islands, such as a raised-seal birth certificate and government-issued photo ID.