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By Sophie, Sami, and Leena
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Multiple American Secretary of States (William H. Seward, and John Hay) attempted to acquire the islands from Denmark, however problems with ratification occurred and the purchase of the islands was postponed. Previously called the Danish West Indies, the U.S. purchased the islands for 25 million dollars on March 31, 1917 and renamed them the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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The U.S acquired the Virgin Island in an effort to improve their military positioning during WW1. The islands were the key to helping the United States during the crucial parts of the war.
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The U.S Virgin Islands are located between the Atlantic and Caribbean oceans, near South America. The islands are right off the tip of Puerto Rico. They are located mainly in the Caribbean.
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 Opposition to U.S. control from the native inhabitants-

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 Opposition to U.S. control from the native inhabitants-

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Because the U.S. acquired the islands from Denmark, the islanders were not that upset about the transition from Danish rule to becoming American citizens.
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The Purpose for the Virgin Islands is the prime shipping lane leading to the Panama Canal.
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The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. The arc of Caribbean islands begins off the coast of Florida and extends all the way to South America. The region includes hundreds of islands and cays. They are grouped by location into the Greater Antilles which includes the larger islands in the northwestern area (Cuba, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Haiti/Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico); and the Lesser Antilles which includes all the other islands from the Virgin Islands in the northerly Leeward Islands, to the southeastern Windward Islands and the islands just north of Venezuela.

The Virgin Islands are 40-50 miles east of Puerto Rico; and about 1106 miles southeast Miami, Florida.

USVI & BVI

The Virgin Islands are divided between the United States and the United Kingdom; so you have the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) and the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The USVI consist of 4 larger islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, and some 50 smaller islets and cays. The total area of the USVI is 133 square miles. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are made up of 4 larger islands; Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada, and 32 smaller islands. The total area of the BVI is 59 square miles. The British Virgin Islands lie to the northeast of the United States Virgin Islands.

The islands are the peaks of submerged mountains that rise from the ocean floor. Most of the islands rise only to a few hundred feet above sea level. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola in the BVI, which is 1,710 feet high. The geography of the islands consists of seaside cliffs, mountains with lush forest, tiny streams, arid lands and beautiful white sand beaches.

The Islands of the USVI

St. Croix

St. Croix is 84 square miles in size, 22 miles long and the widest point is a little more than 6 miles. The terrain on the east end of the island is rocky and arid with short grassy hillsides and many cactus clusters. The west end of the island is lush with large fruit trees and ferns gracing the mountains. In the middle of the island are miles of beautiful beaches, rolling pasture lands and beautiful land. St. Croix's highest peak, Mount Eagle, is 1,088 feet high. The land slopes to flat-lands on the southern side of the island. There are two main towns Frederiksted and Christiansted. There are a few natural harbors and protected bays. St. Croix is about 40 miles away from St. Thomas. St. Croix →

St. Thomas

St. Thomas is known for having one long ridge of hills running east and west through the center of the island with smaller ridges branching off from the center. St. Thomas, thirteen miles long by four miles wide, encompasses a little over 31 square miles. The highest point is Crown Mountain at 1,556 feet. St. Thomas has a beautiful natural harbor and many protected bays. There are relatively no flat areas on St. Thomas. St. Thomas →

St. John

St. John is located about 4 miles from St. Thomas' east end. It has hills and valleys and relatively few flat areas. St. John encompasses 20 square miles of beautiful scenery. The island is 7 miles long by 3 miles wide. The highest point is Bordeaux Mountain at 1,277 feet. The island's coastal areas have many fine protected bays. A natural harbor is found in Coral Bay, however Cruz Bay is the main town and 'harbor'. More than two thirds of the island is protected by the National Park Service. St. John →

Water Island

Water Island is the smallest populated island of USVI group. It is only 491.5 acres in size. Water Island is 2½ miles long and ½ to 1 mile wide. The island has an irregular shape with many bays and peninsulas. The highest Point is 300 feet above sea level. It is located just half a mile from St. Thomas' south side. Water Island →

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where is the u.s. virgin islands: geography

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Where is the U.S. Virgin Islands: Geography

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The Virgin Islands are located in the Caribbean. The arc of Caribbean islands begins off the coast of Florida and extends all the way to South America. The region includes hundreds of islands and cays.

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How the United States controls/operates/defends this country today-

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How the United States controls/operates/defends this country today-

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The Virgin Islands National Guard are not in the normal United States Air Force chain of command. The Virgin Islands Air National Guard is headquartered at St. Croix, and its commander is Deborah Y. Howell.
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Economic situation of the country, population,  kind of government they have, interesting facts, culture, religion,  and tourist attractions-

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Economic situation of the country, population,  kind of government they have, interesting facts, culture, religion,  and tourist attractions-

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-Tourism is the primary economic activity, and this accounts for around 60% of the Virgin Islands GDP and half of civilian employment.
-The population is 107,268 as of July
-The island's government is a presidential democracy, meaning it is a self governing territory of the States. The residents are U.S. citizens, but cannot vote in U.S. presidential elections.
-Their National Holiday is Transfer Day, March 31
-The islands are vulnerable to storms, but there are still nearly 3 million tourists a year, primarily arriving in cruise ships. Stories of Captain Bluebeard, and island ghosts attract
-Recently, hurricanes Irma, and Maria have left the Islands damaged, especially St. Thomas and St. Croix
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-“Virgin Island Flag.” Wikimedia, upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Flag_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands.svg/1200px-Flag_of_the_United_States_Virgin_Islands.svg.png.

-“Virgin Islands.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, 2001-2009.state.gov/r/pa/ho/time/wwi/107293.htm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Islands_Air_National_Guard

-“Where Is the U.S. Virgin Islands: Geography.” Virgin Islands, 16 Aug. 2017, www.vinow.com/general_usvi/geography/.

--The Virgin Islands Air National Guard is headquartered at St Croix Air National Guard Station, Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix, and its commander is Deborah Y. Howell.

-“References :: Definitions and Notes.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/docs/notesanddefs.html?fieldkey=2150&term=Telephones%2B-%2Bfixed%2Blines.