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St. Thomas is a part of the United States Virgin Islands. It is located in the Lesser Antilles, which is between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Virgin Islands are comprised of about fifty islands and cays. The largest islands are St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, and Water Island. St. Croix, the largest, is 84 square miles. St Thomas is about 32 square miles, and St. John is 19 square miles.

The capital of the US Virgin Islands is Charlotte Amalie, which is on the island of St. Thomas. The US Virgin Islands has been a territory of the United States since 1917. Approximately 101,809 people live on the US Virgin Islands. Their official language is English, and they use the US Dollar as their currency.

The US Virgin Islands is the largest freeport in the Caribbean, and it allows tourists to take home about $1,200 in duty-free merchandise. The average temperatures are 77 degrees in the winter and 82 degrees in the summer.

Five countries bought and sold these islands over the course of time. They are: Spain, Denmark, Britain, France, and the United States. Native Indians, the Taino and Carib Indians, lived on these islands for 3,000 years before being destroyed by Europeans.

Christopher Columbus discovered the US Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World. He landed on St. Croix in 1493 and named it Santa Cruz. Denmark took over the islands, and began the first colony in 1666 on St. Croix. The colony flourished agriculturally, but it also had a large, prosperous slave trade. St. Thomas, however, was not an agricultural island. It was the main center of commerce, and slaves worked on the docks so that they could eventually be freed. These freed slaves were known as "free-coloreds," or the Savan. These people established the Main Street Market place.

On St. Thomas in the 1670's, people built taverns along the coast next to Fort Christian. These were so popular that settlers and travelers began calling the island "Taphus," which literally means Beer Hall. The name finally changed in 1691, when the town was renamed Charlotte Amalie in honor of the wife of King Christian V.

During this time, piracy and the slave trade were the main industries of the islands. Infamous pirates such as Bluebeard and Blackbeard built their castles on the St. Thomas and St. John.

St. Thomas was the property of Spain until 1733, when Denmark officially purchased it. By this time, piracy was dying out, and legitimate trade sustained the economy. In 1764, it was declared a free port, and by the 1800's, eventually became the center of trade of the West Indies.

In the 1800’s however, the islands experienced natural and political turmoil. Fires ravaged Charlotte Amalie, and trade embargoes inhibited the economy. The abolition of the slave trade devastated the economy. In 1848, the development of steamer ships meant that traders did not need to stop at the port in St. Thomas as often.

The United States purchased St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas in 1917 for $25 million in gold. After World War II, sea travel increased, and tourists began visiting the islands. It reached its peak as a tourist attraction in the 1950’s, when Cuba became a closed port to Americans.

Today, most residents are West Indians of African descent. 45% of the populations speaks Spanish, but people from all continents live on the islands.

The average cost to stay on the U.S. Virgin Islands vary from season to season. During peak seasons, it can range from $125-$155 per night at the average hotel. During the off-season, it is about $100-$120 per night. About 4,600 hotel rooms are available on St. Thomas.

Rates: One Bedroom 

Every beach on the Virgin Islands is open to the public. The two most popular are Trunk Bay on St. John, and Maegens Bay, on St. Thomas.

Coki Point and Sapphire Beach are both coves and are perfect for snorkeling. Morning Star Beach is known for its gentle waves. However, surfers can head to Hull Bay, where waves build around an offshore reef. Other beaches to keep in mind are Brewer’s Bay, Bluebeard’s Beach, and Mandahl Beach.

Charlotte Amalie is the most popular cruise port in the Caribbean.

Tourists can see a variety of landmarks on all of the islands. Fort Christian, built in 1671 by Danish Settlers, is right on the waterfront of Charlotte Amalie. It had many different functions during the years, and was a prison up until 1982. Currently being restored, it is a National Landmark.

Pirates were prevalent on the US Virgin Islands. Bluebeard, a pirate in the 1600’s, built his castle on St. Thomas. The castle has stood for over 300 years, and offers a view from all directions, ensuring the safety of the castle. The castle has now been converted into a hotel. Blackbeard’s castle, then known as Skytsborg, is on the island of St. John. It is considered to be one of the oldest standing structures on the islands. It is also now a restaurant and hotel, catering to tourists and cruise ship passengers.

The Seven Arches Museum was once a Danish man’s house. The house was constructed with seven arches, all supporting the "welcoming arms" staircase. It has an old brick oven, and is open to the public as a piece of St. Thomas’s history.

Another beautiful residence is the Crown House. It was built in the 18^th century, and was used as the residence for the islands’ Governors. It is a private residence today, but can still be visited.

The St. Peter Greathouse and Botanical Gardens is an old estate house with a modern twist. It now displays contemporary local artwork. It also boasts 500 varieties of plants and trees, and on the top level of the building, tourists can view about twenty of the surrounding tiny islands.

Since St. Thomas is a duty-free port, tourists can take home $1,200 of tax-free merchandise. The shopping in St. Thomas is world-renowned. With over thirty jewelry stores, fine gems and baubles can be bought at the fraction of the prices back home. Alcohol, perfumes, jewelry, clothes, and cigars are many of the staple items that tourist pick up.

The best shopping is done on Crystal Gade and Raadet’s Gade. They are perpendicular roads, and have many fine stores.

The Virgin Islands also make their own rum. This rum can only be bought here, and is considered one of the best in the world.

St. Thomas has the largest charter-yacht fleet in the Caribbean, and taking a yacht out for the week is one way to relax in style.

The restaurants have international cuisine, so gourmet eaters will be satisfied.

St. Thomas is about a five hour flight from Miami, Florida, and is worth visiting. The shopping and sights are well worth the trip; however, the island's unique culture will prompt you to come back for more.

Sources:

http://www.st-thomas.com/

http://www.virtualstthomas.com/java/bluebeards.html

http://www.usvi.net/usvi/stt.html

http://www.usvi-info.com/infousvi/faqsguide.html

http://www.here.vi/USVI/St__Thomas/st__thomas.html