Four major islands make up the U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Thomas, where the town of Charlotte Amalia (also called Amalie), is the Capitol; St. Croix, the largest island; St. John, two-thirds national park, and the most pristine; and Water Island, the smallest and newest island transferred to the VI government in 1996, and often referred to as The Last Virgin.

St. Thomas' nicknames, Rock City, and The Rock, refers to the volcanic nature of the island and the rocky, hilly terrain.

Charlotte/Amalia, St. Thomas

Millions of tourists pour onto the islands each year, many arriving aboard cruise ships. A day spent on any of the islands is usually a fantastic experience and a great introduction; however many visitors return to their ships at the end of the day already planning a more extensive return.

Besides the amazing beauty of these compact islands, there's the rich history and culture, unbelievable beaches, fun attractions, duty-free shopping, hot climate (tempered by gentle trade wind breezes), and of course, excellent cuisine and music.

The History

Seven flags have flown over the Virgin Islands since Christopher Columbus cruised through the Lesser Antilles in 1493. Columbus is actually credited with naming the more than 120 beautiful, unspoiled islands, cays and islets, The Virgin Islands.

The fighting over who would govern the lands ended in 1671 when Denmark emerged the ruler of St. Thomas. The Danes would later claim the islands of St. John and St. Croix, effectively uniting the three major islands.

The colorful history of the Virgin Islands includes pirates, plantations, slavery, rum, sugar cane sugar mills, and more. Still today, what is said to be some of the best rum in the world, Cruzan Rum is manufactured on St. Croix.

The United States purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for 25 million as a military advantage relating to the Panama Canal. Tourism, the largest industry, wasn't a serious consideration until the 1950's.

Cruz Bay, St. John

Today, some of the most dynamic features of all the islands are historical treasures such as, old sugar mills and plantation ruins. A prime example of these treasures are the Annaberg Plantation ruins on St. John that attract thousands of visitors each year.

St. Thomas is a wealth of two and three hundred year old buildings. The entire town, listed with the National Historical Register as being both historically and architecturally significant, also boasts numerous national historic landmarks.

During the 1700's to the early 1800's St. Thomas was the busiest import/export center in the Caribbean. A contributing factor was its harbor, which is one of the deepest in the world.

The Culture

The Virgin Islands is a rich mixture of European and African culture; but it's chiefly African. The language (primarily English with some Creole, French and Spanish), art, music and food have traveled a circuitous route over the centuries. Influences are not only European and African, but American, as well and makes for an interesting boondoggle (island expression for a crazy mix).

There is no single event where all aspects of Virgin Islands culture intersect; is more prominently displayed; participated in; and enjoyed than the annual Carnival celebration.

Carnival began in 1912, faded out during World War I, and was revived in 1952 as an annual event. It is celebrated at different times of the year on the three main islands, but whenever it comes around, it is always the biggest party imaginable … and everyone's invited.

Each year, thousands pour onto the islands from the mainland U.S., from other Caribbean islands, and various countries - many coming not just to watch the festivities, but to participate.

Carnival Costume

On St. Thomas, Carnival begins around the first week in April, runs through the month, and culminates in the last three days with non-stop action. Events range from beauty pageants and calypso competitions to fairs and parades.

Music

Carnival Troupe (left); Mocko Jumbies (right)

Music and Carnival are synonymous as one could not exist without the other. Music in the form of Calypso, Soca, Steel Pan, Quelbe, Reggae, Latin, is what drives the Carnival celebration. Some of the best venues for great music include, Calypso Revue, where the best Calypsonians (singers) in the Caribbean perform; J'ouvert (pronounced jou-vay), an early morning dance/tramp through the streets behind popular bands; and the Adult Parade. Some of the music heard most often during Carnival includes:

• Quelbe

  Scratch bands (also called Fungi bands), provide an indigenous music made with improvised instruments like hollowed out gourds and washboards. Quelbe is considered the official music of the Virgin Islands.

• Calypso

  A music with African-Spanish rhythms that was popularized in Trinidad, but in time, spread all over the Caribbean. Traditionally, calypso is about more than the music. Its richness is based in stories, that are satirical, sometimes risqué, and/or gossipy that is found in the music. Contemporary calypso has expanded to include soca (dance music).

• Steel Pan

  Steel bands originated in Trinidad and were basically born of a people's need to continue the tradition of drumming despite the British prohibition of the instruments during Carnival celebrations. The original steel pans were made of tin pans and brake drums, and eventually evolved to oil drums, and advanced from there to the sophisticated steel pans of today.

Food

Native foods are also rooted in Africa, Europe and America. The most popular venue to find this fare is during Carnival at the Carnival Village and Cultural Fair, but most particularly at the Village.Comprised of about twenty-thirty homemade and theme decorated booths situated in a square, the focus of the village is food. Foods such as, Kallaloo, Conch, Johnny Cakes, Fungi, Pate, Flying Fish, as well as island beverages like, Ginger Beer, Maube, Soursop Punch, which are all in plentiful supply. Some of the more popular fare includes:

• Kallaloo

  A famous Caribbean soup with a base of seafood, pork and spinach.

• Pate

  A fried dough patty with a beef, chicken, salt-fish or other filling.

• Conch

  A shell fish (pronounced Conk), cooked in butter sauce and served with rice, or cooked as fritters with bits of conch deep fried in a Hush Puppy type ball.

• Ginger Beer

  A spicy, non-alcoholic beverage made from ginger root and served cold.

• Maube

  A tree bark that is boiled with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and served cold.

Art

The art of the Virgin Islands covers a broad spectrum that includes, literature, paintings, sculpture, storytelling, homemade toys (such as dolls), music, jewelry, folk dances and more. There are abundant opportunities during Carnival to view, purchase, learn about native art, but no better opportunity than the Cultural Fair.

The Fair dates back to the earliest days of Carnival, and is eagerly awaited each year. Tables laden with all sorts of flavorful and mouth-watering dishes; local flowers and plants; souvenirs; local/African clothing … just about anything conceivable might be discovered at Cultural Fair.

• Bamboula

  You might see a demonstration of the Bamboula, an African-based dance indigenous to the Virgin Islands, usually danced in costume. Bamboula has been carefully passed down through the generations.

• Dolls

  Handmade dolls are popular and valued items, and the fair is one place that it is possible on an annual basis to see and purchase the best from all over the Virgin Islands.

• Storytelling

  Tucked away in some quiet corner of the fair, a storyteller might have the rapt attention of her audience as early Virgin Islands history is woven into captivating stories.

The Beaches

Trunk Bay Beach

There are numerous picturesque beaches with translucent turquoise water, white sand, and palm tress on all the islands. Some of the most popular on St. Thomas/St. John include:

• Trunk Bay

  Located on the island of St. John, Trunk Bay is a part of the National Park and has a 225 yard self-guiding underwater snorkeling trail marked by signs. Not the largest beach, Trunk Bay is perhaps the most popular and is considered by everyone who visits, to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

• Magen's Bay

  Voted one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic Magazine, this long beach is amazingly picturesque.

• Sapphire Beach

  A long, gorgeous beach with great water sports and really fun Sunday afternoon beach parties that bring three of the best elements of the VI together: sun, beach, music, and dancing.

• Secret Harbor

  Snorkeling is the main attraction at this lovely, quiet resort beach.

• Cinnamon Bay Beach

  This beautiful St. John beach has a nature trail that leads through plantation ruins, tropical woods, and provides beautiful scenic views. It also has a popular campground.

The Flora and Fauna

The Flamboyant

The Virgin Islands supports a large system of coral reefs and other ecosystems like the shoreline mangrove forests and salt ponds of St. John. This island is two-thirds National Park and is frugally preserved. There are over 800 trees, shrubs flowers and other plants growing on St. John alone.

• Flowers and Plants

  The national flower of the Virgin Islands is the Yellow Cedar, however beautiful flowers and plants abound: Hibiscus, Bouganvillea, Oleander, and the Flamboyant plants grow on all the islands. Seagrape Trees, Coconut Palms, Cactus, and Agave plants are also plentiful.

• Fruits

  The fruits are as exotic as might be expected of such a sunny clime. Some of the staples of the region includes: Kanips, Mangos, Tamarinds, Soursop, Guava, Plantains and Passion Fruit.

• Animals

  Exotic animals such as Iguanas, Mongooses, Hawksbill Turtles, Soldier Crabs and so many others call these islands home. There's also the less exotic donkeys, deer, goats, and more.

• Birds

  Over 161 varieties of birds fill the skies: Hummingbirds, Brown Pelicans, Yellow Bananaquits, Herons, Sea Gulls, Doves, and of course, the national bird, the Frigate.

The Paradise

Remember the phrase, “See American first?” If you're looking at vacation time and thinking Caribbean … it doesn't get any better than the U.S. Virgin Islands: incredible beauty, friendly people, warm, sunny weather, amazing beaches, duty-free shopping, and at least for the present, no passports required for American citizens.

All of these are reasons why the Virgin Islands is called America's Paradise; it simply is.