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List of
Banks in the Caribbean
List of Banks in Virgin Islands (US)
The United States Virgin Islands, also
called Virgin Islands of the United States is a group of islands in the
Caribbean that are an insular area of the United States. The islands are
geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in
the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles.
The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix,
Saint John and Saint Thomas, along with the much smaller but
historically distinct Water Island, and many other surrounding minor
islands. The main islands have nicknames often used by locals: "Twin
City" (St. Croix), "Rock City" (St. Thomas), "Love City" (St. John), and
"Small City" (Water Island).
The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.4 km2).
As of the 2000 census the population was 108,612
Banco Popular De Puerto Rico
Address: Charlotte Amalie
Phone: (1-340) 693-2777
Chase Manhattan Bank
Address: Waterfront Branch
Phone: (1-340) 775-7777
First Bank
Address: 1102 King Street, Suite 2
Phone: (1-340) 775-7777
Fax: (1-340) 773-4660
Mid Island Federal Credit Union
Address: 49 Castle Coakle
Phone: (1-340) 778-6297
Fax: (1-340) 778-3616
The Bank Of Nova Scotia
Address: 214 C Altona & Welqunst
Phone: (1-340) 774-0037
Fax: (1-340) 776-5997
The Bank Of Nova Scotia
Address: 4500 Estate Diamond, Christiansted
Phone: (1-340) 778-5350
Fax: (1-340) 778-5898
The Bank Of Nova Scotia
Address: 1B Cruz Bay
Phone: (1-340) 776-6552
Fax: (1-340) 776-6554
Virgin Islands Community Bank
Address: 12-13 King Street
Phone: (1-340) 773-0440
History
Main article: History of the United States Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands were originally settled by the Ciboney, Carib, and
Arawaks. The islands were named by Christopher Columbus on his second
voyage in 1493 for Saint Ursula and her virgin followers. Over the next
three hundred years, the islands were held by many European powers,
including Spain, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France, and
Denmark-Norway.
The Danish West India Company settled on Saint Thomas in 1672, on Saint
John in 1694, and purchased Saint Croix from France in 1733. The islands became royal Danish colonies in 1754, named the
Danish-Westindian islands—De dansk-vestindiske øer in Danish.
Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during
the 18th and early 19th centuries, until the abolition of slavery by
Governor Peter von Scholten on July 3, 1848.
For the remainder of the period of Danish rule, the islands were not
economically viable and significant transfers were made from the Danish
state budgets to the authorities in the islands. In 1867 a treaty to
sell Saint Thomas and Saint John to the United States was agreed, but
the sale was never effected. A number of reforms aimed at reviving
the islands' economy were attempted, but none had great success. A
second draft treaty to sell the islands to the United States was
negotiated in 1902 but was narrowly defeated in the Danish parliament.
The onset of World War I brought the reforms to a close and again left
the islands isolated and exposed. During the submarine warfare phases of
the First World War, the United States, fearing that the islands might
be seized by Germany as a submarine base, again approached Denmark with
a view to buying them. After a few months of negotiations, a selling
price of $25 million was agreed. At the same time the
economics of continued possession weighed heavily on the minds of Danish
decision makers, and a bipartisan consensus in favor of selling emerged
in the Danish parliament.
A subsequent referendum held in late 1916 confirmed the decision to sell
by a wide margin. The deal was thus finalized on January 17, 1917, when
the United States and Denmark exchanged their respective treaty
ratifications. The U.S. took possession of the islands on March 31, 1917
and the territory was renamed the Virgin Islands of the United States. U.S. citizenship was granted to the inhabitants of the islands
in 1927.
Water Island, a small island to the south of Saint Thomas, was initially
administered by the U.S. federal government and did not become a part of
the U.S. Virgin Islands territory until 1996, when 50 acres (20 ha) of
land was transferred to the territorial government. The remaining 200
acres (81 ha) of the island were purchased from the U.S. Department of
the Interior in May 2005 for $10, a transaction which marked the
official change in jurisdiction.
Geography
Main article: Geography of the United States Virgin Islands
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Map of the U.S. Virgin IslandsThe U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the
Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, about 40 miles (64 km) east of
Puerto Rico and immediately west of the British Virgin Islands. The
territory consists of four main islands: Saint Thomas, Saint John, Saint
Croix, and Water Island, as well as several dozen smaller islands. The
combined land area of the islands is roughly twice the size of
Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are known for their white sand beaches,
including Magens Bay and Trunk Bay, and strategic harbors, including
Charlotte Amalie and Christiansted. Most of the islands, including Saint
Thomas, are volcanic in origin and hilly. The highest point is Crown
Mountain, Saint Thomas (1,555 ft/474 m). Saint Croix, the largest of the
U.S. Virgin Islands, lies to the south and has a flatter terrain. The
National Park Service owns more than half of Saint John, nearly all of
Hassel Island, and many acres of coral reef. (See also Virgin Islands
National Park, Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, Buck Island
Reef National Monument, Christiansted National Historic Site, and Salt
River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.)
The Virgin Islands lie on the boundary of the North American plate and
the Caribbean Plate. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tropical
cyclones, and hurricanes.
Climate
Main article: Climate of the United States Virgin Islands
[hide]Climate data for Saint Thomas, VI
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 93
(33.9) 93
(33.9) 94
(34.4) 96
(35.6) 97
(36.1) 99
(37.2) 98
(36.7) 99
(37.2) 98
(36.7) 97
(36.1) 95
(35) 92
(33.3) 99
(37.2)
Average high °F (°C) 86
(30) 86
(30) 86
(30) 88
(31.1) 88
(31.1) 90
(32.2) 90
(32.2) 91
(32.8) 90
(32.2) 90
(32.2) 88
(31.1) 86
(30) 88
(31.1)
Average low °F (°C) 72
(22.2) 72
(22.2) 72
(22.2) 74
(23.3) 76
(24.4) 77
(25) 78
(25.6) 78
(25.6) 77
(25) 76
(24.4) 75
(23.9) 73
(22.8) 75
(23.9)
Record low °F (°C) 63
(17.2) 62
(16.7) 56
(13.3) 62
(16.7) 66
(18.9) 67
(19.4) 57
(13.9) 59
(15) 64
(17.8) 66
(18.9) 52
(11.1) 62
(16.7) 52
(11.1)
Precipitation inches (mm) 1.89
(48) 1.51
(38.4) 1.52
(38.6) 2.39
(60.7) 3.36
(85.3) 2.35
(59.7) 2.42
(61.5) 3.50
(88.9) 5.34
(135.6) 5.57
(141.5) 5.28
(134.1) 2.74
(69.6) 37.8
(960)
Source: weather.com
Politics
Main article: Politics of the United States Virgin Islands
Further information: Political party strength in the United States
Virgin Islands
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Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, capital of the U.S. Virgin Islands
Christiansted, the largest town on St. CroixThe U.S. Virgin Islands are
an organized, unincorporated United States territory. Even though they
are U.S. citizens, U.S. Virgin Islands residents cannot vote in
presidential elections. U.S. Virgin Islands residents, however, are able
to vote in presidential primary elections for delegates to the
Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention.
The main political parties in the U.S. Virgin Islands are the Democratic
Party of the Virgin Islands, the Independent Citizens Movement, and the
Republican Party of the Virgin Islands. Additional candidates run as
independents.
At the national level, the U.S. Virgin Islands elects a delegate to
Congress from its at-large congressional district. However, the elected
delegate, while able to vote in committee, cannot participate in floor
votes. The current House of Representatives delegate is Donna
Christensen (D).
At the territorial level, 15 senators—seven from the district of Saint
Croix, seven from the district of Saint Thomas and Saint John, and one
senator at-large who must be a resident of Saint John—are elected for
two-year terms to the unicameral Virgin Islands Legislature.
The U.S. Virgin Islands has elected a territorial governor every four
years since 1970. Previous governors were appointed by the President of
the United States.
The U.S. Virgin Islands has a District Court, Superior Court and the
Supreme Court. The District Court is responsible for federal law, while
the Superior Court is responsible for U.S. Virgin Islands law at the
trial level and the Supreme Court is responsible for appeals from the
Superior Court for all appeals filed on or after January 29, 2007.
Appeals filed prior to that date are heard by the Appellate Division of
the District Court. Appeals from the federal District Court are heard by
the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, located in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. District Court judges are appointed by the
President, while Superior Court and Supreme Court judges are appointed
by the Governor.
Self-determination
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The U.S. Virgin Islands are part of the United Nations list of
Non-Self-Governing Territories. A 1993 referendum on status attracted
only 31.4 percent turnout, and so its results (in favor of status quo)
were considered void. No further referenda have been scheduled since.
In 2004, the 25th legislature established the Fifth Constitutional
Convention. In June 2009, Governor John deJongh, Jr. rejected the
resulting draft constitution, saying that the document "violates federal
law, fails to defer to federal sovereignty and disregards basic civil
rights." However, a lawsuit filed by members of the Fifth
Constitutional Convention to force Governor deJongh to forward the
document to President Barack Obama was ultimately successful. The
president forwarded the proposal to Congress—which then had 60 days to
approve or disapprove the document—in May 2010, along with a report
noting concerns raised by the Justice Department and restating the
issues noted by Governor deJongh. A Congressional resolution
disapproving of the proposed constitution and requesting that the Fifth
Constitutional Convention reconvene to consider changes to address these
issues was signed into law by President Obama on June 30, 2010.
There is a bill pending Senate approval in the United States Congress
that would authorize the United States Secretary of the Interior to
extend technical assistance grants and other assistance to facilitate a
political status public education program in the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam and American Samoa.
Economy
Main article: Economy of the United States Virgin Islands
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Magens Bay, St. Thomas.Tourism is the primary economic activity. The
islands normally host 2 million visitors a year, many of whom visit on
cruise ships.
The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles,
electronics, rum distilling, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The
agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported.
International business and financial services are a small but growing
component of the economy. Hovensa, one of the world's largest petroleum
refineries, is located on Saint Croix.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are permanently on Atlantic Standard Time and do
not participate in daylight saving time. When the U.S. is on Standard
Time, the U.S. Virgin Islands are one hour ahead of Eastern Standard
Time. When the U.S. is on daylight saving time, Eastern Daylight Time is
the same as Atlantic Standard Time.
Demographics
See also: Demographics of the United States Virgin Islands
Historical populations
Year Pop. %±
1970 62,468 —
1980 96,569 54.6%
1990 101,809 5.4%
2000 108,612 6.7%
Trunk Bay, St. JohnAs of the census of 2000, there were 108,612
people, 40,648 households, and 26,636 families residing in the
territory. The racial makeup of the territory was 75.6% Black or African
Descent, 6.2% White, 10.3% from other races, and 8.5% from two or more
races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.6% of the population.
There were 40,648 households out of which 34.7% had children under the
age of 18 living with them, 33.2% were married couples living together,
24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were
non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and
6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The
average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.34.
In the territory the population was spread out with 31.6% under the age
of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and
8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For
every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18
and over, there were 87.7 males. The annual population growth is -0.12%.
The median income for a household in the territory was $24,704, and the
median income for a family was $28,553. Males had a median income of
$28,309 versus $22,601 for females. The per capita income for the
territory was $13,139. About 28.7% of families and 32.5% of the
population were below the poverty line, including 41.7% of those under
age 18 and 29.8% of those age 65 or over.
Ethnicity
Most Virgin Islanders descend from African slaves, who were brought to
the Caribbean by Europeans to work on sugar plantations. Most of the residents were born in the islands, although many
immigrated to the Virgin Islands from other islands in the West Indies,
the United States and other countries.
Language
The official language is English, although Virgin Islands Creole, an
English-based dialect, is spoken in informal situations. The Virgin
Islands Creole spoken on St. Croix, known as Crucian, is slightly
different from that spoken on St. Thomas and St. John. Because the U.S.
Virgin Islands is home to thousands of immigrants from across the
Caribbean, Spanish and various French creole languages are also widely
spoken.
Religion
As in most Caribbean countries, Christianity is the dominant religion in
the Virgin Islands. In a reflection of the territory's Danish colonial
heritage, Protestantism is most prevalent. There is
also a strong Roman Catholic presence due to the large Hispanic
population as well as Irish influence during the Danish colonial
era.
Culture
Main article: Culture of the Virgin Islands
Further information: Music of the Virgin Islands and Virgin Islands
Creole
Districts and sub-districts
Main article: Districts and sub-districts of the United States Virgin
Islands
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Districts and sub-districts of the United States Virgin IslandsThe U.S.
Virgin Islands are administratively divided into three districts and
subdivided into 20 sub-districts.
The districts are:
St. Croix
St. Thomas
St. John
Sub-districts of Saint Croix:
1.Anna's Hope Village
2.Christiansted
3.East End
4.Frederiksted
5.Northcentral
6.Northwest
7.Sion Farm
8.Southcentral
9.Southwest
Sub-districts of Saint Thomas:
1.Charlotte Amalie
2.East End
3.Northside
4.Southside
5.Tutu
6.Water Island
7.West End
Sub-districts of Saint John:
1.Central
2.Coral Bay
3.Cruz Bay
4.East End
Transportation and communications
Main article: Transportation on the United States Virgin Islands
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The Henry E. Rohlsen International Airport serves St. Croix and the
Cyril E. King International Airport serves St. Thomas and St. John. The
U.S. Virgin Islands are the only United States territory which drives on
the left. This was inherited from what was then-current Danish practice
at the time of annexation, to limit losses of livestock. However, as
most cars being imported from the mainland United States are left hand
drive, the driver sits to the outside of the road, raising traffic
safety issues.
U.S. Virgin Islands mail service is handled by the United States Postal
Service, using the two-character state code "VI" for domestic mail
delivery. Zip codes are in the 008xx range. As of
January 2010[update], specifically assigned codes include 00801-00805
(St Thomas), 00820-00824 (Christiansted), 00830-00831 (St
John), 00840-00841 (Frederiksted), and 00850-00851
(Kingshill). The islands are part of the North American Numbering
Plan, using area code 340, and island residents and visitors are able to
call toll-free U.S. numbers.
Education
Virgin Islands Department of Education serves as the territory's
education agency.
Two school districts operate schools: St. Thomas-St. John School
District of St. Thomas and St. John and St. Croix School District of
St. Croix.
The University of the Virgin Islands provides higher education leading
to associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. It
has campuses in St. Thomas and St. Croix.
See also
Geography portal
Caribbean portal
English language edition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Main articles: Outline of the United States Virgin Islands and Index of
United States Virgin Islands-related articles
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