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Virgin Islands Essay Virgin Islands in United States were previously known as Danish West Indies. They are situated about fifty miles from east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. About 108,612 citizens are living mainly on Saint John, Saint Croix, Saint Thomas and Water Islands. Total land area covered by the territory is 133. 73 square miles which is approximately 346. 4 km2. Before their acquirement by U. S these islands were owned by the Kingdom of Denmark which ruled since 1754. Secretary of the country, namely William H. Seward, wanted to protect their naval bases for the safety of U. S interest in Caribbean during the Civil War. They prepared themselves to control the main naval routes from Central and Latin America which is the first authorized gateway to Denmark. Due to the internal dilemma faced by Demark and declined economy of the islands, Danish officials negotiated with the minister of the United States that directed to an agreement of purchasing it for $7. 5 million in 1867. Though, Danish authorities had a favorable plebiscite and a prompt ratification but still they failed to secure their Congress and public opinion. As a result, they were defeated due to a natural disaster in Saint John which led to purchase Alaska by President Andrew Johnson. On the other hand, opinion by the citizen of Denmark was in favor to the expansion by foreigners. The treaty was however faded away in the Senate and was ultimately rejected in 1869. To purchase the islands, Secretary of State John Hay showed efforts in 1902 who thought that Germans were planning out to acquire naval bases of the Caribbean Sea. Although, Danish government was not willing to surrender their islands and were hoping to get benefit from the impending canal namely isthmian. Due to German expansionism, secretary of State Robert reopened the negotiation and as a result a treaty was signed in 1916 where all the approvals were replaced in 1917. About twenty five million dollars were transferred after the favorable negotiations in 1917. Saint Thomas and Water Island were also developed during World War II as a defense base. After the authorities were transferred from the department of navy, the islands were handed over to the office of insular affairs in 1931 where it stayed till 1971. As an unincorporated land of United States, these islands were given limited form of independency due to Organic Act of 1936. After the Revised Organic Act was published in 1954, the degree of self-governance became even more enhanced. (Statens Arkiver) Economy of these islands is mostly based on tourism with almost 2. 6 million tourists each year which account 80% of GDP and services. However, its agriculture sect is smaller than manufacturing sects which consist of electronics, textiles, refining of petroleum and pharmaceuticals. Petroleum refineries in Saint Croix are the largest all over the globe. Islands do get damaged due to storms and other natural disaster but the partnership for trading purpose is solely the mainland of the United States and Puerto Rico helps to renovate the islands. Still government is working to expand their private sector, tourism and protection of the environment. (The World FactBook, 2008). The islands are situated amid the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. They are about fifty miles east from Puerto Rico and sixty miles west from Caribbean Islands. Basically, Virgin Islands are located at the top of the curve of Caribbean Islands where it starts from Florida to South America. Virgin Islands in United States consist of four major islands and fifty smaller cays and islands. Islands are placed at the peak of submerged mountains that rise from some hundred feet over the sea and ocean floors. Virgin Islands consist of mountains, sea cliffs, tiny streams, forests, and beautiful sand beaches. (Virgin Islands Vacation Guide Community, 2008) Following is the deep analysis of major islands located in Virgin Island Saint Croix Saint Croix is one of the largest Virgin Island in the United States as it was once roofed by sugar cane. This striking island does not have visitors like Saint Thomas and Saint John has but it however consist of a port of vacation. Saint Croix is almost covered with 84 square miles land. It is far away from Saint Thomas almost 40 miles from south. This Caribbean island has a dramatic history and vast cultivation of sugar cane. Several flags have fluttered over the land of Saint Croix but the predominant influence was of Danish which ruled for about 250 years. There are a number of sceneries throughout the island such as lush rain forest towards northwest and palm beaches that is connected to clean aquamarine water at east end. Though, southern location of island is covered with industries which include more than hundred sugar mills. Nonetheless, roads of the island need to get repaired. A number of roads are unmarked and tourist might get lost some where on the island. A park that covers 850 acres of the land with the water surface of 1. 5 miles to the northern coast of Saint Croix is located. Buck Island is a part of that park even since 1948 which consist of wonderful snorkeling. A number of historical exhibits are found in Fort Frederik which is located in Frederiksted, constructed in 1760 and was renovated back in 1840’s. A number of historians argue that Fort Frederik was one of the first fort where the salute ceremony to the flag of United States was held in 1776. It is also been said that Governor General Peter von Scholten liberated the Dutch slaves at Fort Frederik in 1848. Conversely, one of the best fort in Saint Croix is Fort Christiansvaern, located in Christiansted. Saint Thomas Saint Thomas is another major island of Virgin Islands which is likely to be called as cruise ship on the Caribbean Sea. This island consists of natural beauty and it also has one of the finest weather in West Indies. Tourism in this island plays role of a king. People love to visit Saint Thomas as they can gain foreign culture experience. Virgin Islands including Saint Thomas have all the components from tropical paradise to exotic wild life. As a part of the United States, it is easy to visit Saint Thomas and other Virgin Islands. A number of fast food restaurants are also located in Saint Thomas plus traveling from United States is not complex due to the protection given by American government. Name of Virgin Islands were given after a famous explorer namely Christopher Columbus. In 1492, Christopher Columbus gave a name to the group of islands therefore Las Once Mil Virgenes in the respect of Saint Ursula’s martyred maidens as believed by Christians. The United States however purchased it share for Virgin Islands in 1916 from Denmark. Every Virgin Island has its own personality and scenery. (Linda Garrison, 2008) Saint Johns Saint John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands that covers 20 square miles of the land. Two third of Saint John is covered by national park. Saint John consists of over 5,000 residents. The island is a domicile of a number of ethnic backdrop that play its own role in Saint John’s through the celebration, music and other cultural rituals. The island itself ensures the magnificent and unique beauty of its nature park particularly by its historical insight. Hiking is the mostly done on this island therefore trip is incomplete without it. Laurance Rockfeller purchased a portion of Saint Johns in 1950’s with a thought of enjoying the natural world. However, there are many other places in Saint Johns that are dotted around the island such as Annaberg Plantation, a sugar mill established in the 18th century, which is located at the north end and Catherineberg Ruins sugar mill which was considered to be the head quarters of Saint John where salves were trained to become a tribal soldier. Weather in Saint John is considered to be tropical with about thirty degrees Celsius. The hot sunny weather keeps winter months hot however humidity is lesser than in summer. Conclusion When Virgin Islands were transferred to United Stated from Denmark, a history was ended but another began. This transfer was however been awaited by the native people of Virgin Islands hoping for the development of Virgin Islands. Involvement of United States is considered to be a formula for the development of economic and social ills of which people were suffering in Virgin Islands. However, the concept of islands to be a military base rather than a state that consist of natural resources is developed by the United States for the favor of people.It was also determine to the changes in policies and attitude of the United States in future years. Bibliography 1) The World FactBook. Virgin Islands. November 6, 2008. Central Intelligence Agency. November 18, 2008 https://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/vq. html#Geo 2) Statens Arkiver. Virgin Islands History. Danish National Archives. November 18, 2008 http://www. virgin-islands-history. dk/eng/default. asp 3) Linda Garrison. St. Thomas in the U. S. Virgin Islands (USVI) – Cruise Lines’ Favorite Virgin. 2008. Cruises. November 18, 2008 http://cruises. about. com/cs/caribbeanports/a/stthomas_2. htm 4) Linda Garrison. St. Croix in the U. S Virgin Islands – Things to do with a Day in Port. 2008. Cruises. November 18, 2008 http://cruises. about. com/cs/caribbeanports/a/stcroix. htm 5) Virgin Islands Vacation Guide Community. Virgin Islands Geography. 2008. Virgin Islands Now. November 19, 2008 http://www. vinow. com/general_usvi/geography/ 6) CaribbeanWay. St. John USVI. Luxury Villa Rentals and Sales. November 19, 2008 http://st-john. caribbeanway. com/general-info. asp