US Virgin Islands - Isole Vergini americane

US Virgin Islands
Location
Coat of arms and flag
Capital	Charlotte Amalie
Government	US territory not incorporated
Currency	US dollar (USD)
Surface	346.36 km²
Inhabitants	123.498
Tongue	English (official), Spanish, Creole
Religion	Battista 42%, Cattolica 34%, Episcopal 17%, others 7%
Electricity	120 V / 60 Hz (US plug)
Prefix	1340
TLD	.you
Time zone	UTC-4
Website	National Tourist Board[link not working]

The US Virgin Islands are an island territory of the Caribbean belonging to United States of America.

To know

The US Virgin Islands lie east of Puerto Rico, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Together with British Virgin Islands, a little further north, they form a single archipelago.

When to go

The climate is subtropical, tempered by east trade winds, with low percentages of humidity and with slight seasonal variations in temperature. The rainy season runs from May to November. In recent years there have been particularly violent hurricanes accompanied by floods and interspersed with longer periods of drought than in the past.

Geographical notes

The islands have an important location in the Anegada Passage - a key passage channel for boats heading to the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deep water harbors in the Caribbean.

Background

During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units: one British and the other Danish.

Sugar cane, produced in large quantities thanks to the coercion of slaves, was the engine of the island's economy throughout the 18th century and the first half of the following. In 1917, the United States bought the Danish portion, which had been in a state of economic decline since 1848, when the abolition of slavery was proclaimed.

Territories and tourist destinations

There are 3 major islands:

      Saint Croix - The largest island of the group, located far south of the other virgin islands.

      Saint John - Beautiful and relaxing, it offers a couple of resorts, a small town and the Virgin Islands National Park which covers 60% of the island's territory.

      Saint Thomas - Contains the bustling capital and is the most populous island.

Urban centers

Other destinations

How to get

Entry requirements

Optical-digital passport, valid for at least six months. The islands are considered territory USA, so once you enter the USA you are considered travelers coming from the inside (and the same if you go to the USA from the islands).

By plane

The international airport is located in the vicinity of Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas. To reach the other islands, board a boat.

Many scheduled flights fromEurope make a stop in Puerto Rico while those operated by US airlines are direct. They depart from Chicago, New York, Atlanta is You love me.

On boat

Several ferries sail between the three islands, such as between the US Virgin Islands and British. Some ferries, however on a seasonal basis, connect the US Virgin Islands with Puerto Rico.

How to get around

By car

Driving in the US Virgin Islands requires a local driver's permit, which is charged when you rent the car. Driving is on the left, as in the British Virgin Islands and to rent a car (only with credit card) the minimum age of 25, even if, by paying a surcharge, some companies allow rental to children under 25. But beware of cars, which being imported from the United States, which do not have an inverted steering wheel; basically you are driving on the wrong side. The roads of the islands are often narrow and winding even with fairly steep slopes, not always protected by walls or guardrails. The seat belt is mandatory and children up to 5 years must travel with the child seat. The road indications regarding the localities, even important ones, are very scarce, sometimes non-existent, so it is essential to move around with a map.

What see

What to do

Currency and purchases

The national currency is the U.S. dollar (USD) Here are the links to know the current exchange rate with the main world currencies:

At the table

Tourist infrastructure

Events and parties

National holidays

Transfer Day: memorial of the passage from the Denmark ai USA, March 27, 1917

Safety

Health situation

Respect the customs

How to keep in touch

Telephony

The prefix to call Italy is 01139 (attention the 0039 prefix does not work). Only the "triband" of our mobile phones work, which, given the standards of electricity, require a universal voltage charger with its lamellar adapter. Not always and everywhere there is a line or a manager who has a roaming agreement with an Italian operator, but the service as sms works quite well.

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning US Virgin Islands
• Commons contains images or other files on US Virgin Islands
• Wikinews contains current news on US Virgin Islands