Interesting Facts & Island History
Welcome to Paradise! The American and British Virgin Islands comprise about one hundred islands, inlets and cays, part of the Antilles chain, which separates the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. The United States Virgin Islands are located at 18 degrees 20' North Latitude and 64 degrees 55' West Longitude.
Christopher Columbus landed on the U.S. Virgin Islands on his second voyage and named the entire island group after the legend of St. Ursula and her virgin martyrs.
Denmark took over St. Thomas in 1670. Under Denmark, the Islands developed as slaveholding, sugar-growing communities. Most of the buildings in the city of Charlotte Amalie were built in Danish colonial times.
The United States bought the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1917. Local government was finally establish in 1954. St. Croix, the largest of the islands is 28 miles long and 7 miles wide, in total 84 square miles. St. Croix is home of many ruins and restored greathouses and sugarmills. Christiansted and Fredericksted are the major towns and ports in St. Croix.
St. John, at 20 square miles, is the smallest of the three islands
St. John, with its lush mountain vegetation, outstanding beaches and unspoiled beauty is considered by manyto (should be 'many to') be the most beautiful of the three principal U.S. Virgin Islands.
St. Thomas has 32 square miles of mountainous terrain. Its harbor is the Caribbean's number one cruise ship port of call and home to a large charter yacht fleet. The town of Charlotte Amalie is the seat of Government and one of the most famous shopping centers in the Caribbean area.
Magens Bay beach on St. Thomas' north side has been described as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.
The Virgin Islands lie directly in the path of the easterly trade winds, insuring a year round mild climate. The temperature ranges from70 (error 2 - no space) to 90 degrees. The constant winds keep the humidity at a comfortable level and the average annual rainfall is 45 inches, most of this coming in the summer months.
The Virgin Islands offers something for everyone, friendly people, white beaches and crystal aquamarine waters, breath-taking scenery, water-sports, night-life, sports, and shopping.
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The Back of the card has a recipe
Taste O' The Tropics Rum Punch
Serves 20-24
1 bottle (750 ml) light rum
3/4 cup pineapple juice
juice of 6 oranges
juice of 6 limes
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 1/2 quarts ginger ale
orange slice and/or maraschino cherries for garnish
In a large punch bowl, combine rum, pineapple juice, juice of oranges, juice of limes and confectioners sugar. Add ginger ale just before serving. Chill. server over ice in glasses and garnish.
This was postmarked with this 94 cent 'St. Johns, U.S. Virgin Islands' stamp.
