The United States Virgin Islands consist of American territory that is not part of any state. Located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands is made up of three major islands: Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John. All three were a part of the Danish West Indies before becoming U.S. possessions. The official language in the U.S. Virgin Islands is English and the official currency is the U.S. dollar.
Holiday rental homes in the U.S. Virgin Islands provide visitors with access to lands that are relatively low in humidity even though the climate is tropical. Temperatures are stable throughout most of the year, with the rainy season dominating the months from May to November. This makes winter an ideal time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The land on the islands ranges from hilly to mountainous with few areas that are level. The highest point is Crown Mountain, which is more than 1100 feet tall. The islands are located along one of the key shipping lands leading to the Panama Canal, with Saint Thomas particularly well suited to arrival by boat since it possesses one of the finest natural deepwater harbors in the region.
The Individual Islands
Saint Croix is the southernmost island and also the largest. Saint John is a popular location for those interested in eco-tourism since more than half of the island's territory is occupied by the Virgin Islands National Park. There is a small town catering to the tourist trade on Saint John. The most populated island is Saint Thomas, which features the capital city of this unincorporated territory.