A
brief introduction to the U.S. Virgin Islands ….
Why
people choose to invest in the Virgin Islands ...
Enough
about work, what about play …
|
| A
brief introduction to the U.S. Virgin Islands ... |
| The
U.S. Virgin Islands is comprised of 68 islands and cays located in the
Caribbean Basin, 1075 miles east-southeast of Miami, and 50 miles east
of Puerto Rico. Three miles separate the two smaller inhabited island
of St. Thomas (32 square miles) and St. John (28 square miles). Both
are distinguished by a rugged mountainous topography with numerous sandy
beaches and inlets along the shoreline. St. Croix (84 square miles),
40 miles south of St. Thomas, has rolling hills and broad central plain
between the relatively dry east end and the more lush, agricultural west
end. Major towns are Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Christiansted
and Fredriksted, St. Croix; and Cruz Bay, St. John. |
Three
Main Islands
|
Magens
Bay
|
The
idea of living in this fruitful paradise surrounded by turquoise waters
and shaded by exotic palm trees has seduced many people into calling the
Virgin Islands home. People have migrated to these islands because
of its aesthetic features and end up falling in love with its people and
culture. Business owners share these sentiments, enjoying the
profits from investing in the territory and the protection of the Stars
and Stripes.
The
Territory of the Virgin Islands boomed during the 1960’s when the population
almost doubled. It has remained steady ever since with the most recent
census figures estimating the VI’s population at 101,809. However,
the tourist population has steadily increased with the number of visitors
nearing 2 million annually. |
How
many people live in the Virgin Islands? Click
HERE
to see the full census report taken in 2000. |
| The
social melting pot of the islands and the hardships endured during and
after slavery have made Virgin Islanders a gracious and somewhat conservative
people. Every year islanders look forward to celebrating Carnival with
float parades, costumes, moko jumbies (masked stilt walkers), calypso contests
and J’Ouvert, when thousands of people dance the streets behind their favorite
bands. |
| St.
Thomas offers tropical mountain scenery with a coastline scalloped by picturesque
bays fringed with inviting beaches. Homes are tucked into mountainsides
offering the owner views of the numerous islands, reefs and coves of the
Caribbean. The terraced hills on the north side, perfect for gardening
spots, have a magnificent view of St. John and the British Virgin Islands.
Resorts and condominiums are primarily located on the east end of the island.
With
style and energy, the twenty-eight square mile St. Thomas juggles her dual
role as the territorial capital and as the shopping center of the Caribbean.
Her magnificent harbor at Charlotte Amalie receives about a thousand cruise
ship visits a year. The stone warehouses from colonial days now glitter
with amazing array of products and goods from all over the world. |
Looking
Toward
Charlotte
Amalie
|
|
| Why
people choose to invest in the Virgin Islands … |
| Many
settlers have made St. Thomas home because of the career job opportunities
among the island’s businesses and a climate ripe for entrepreneurship.
The well-developed infrastructure and expertise, combined with an attractive
tax incentive program, are the foundation for investment motives. |
Bustling
Business
|
The
U.S. Virgin Islands is an unincorporated territory of the U.S. and, therefore,
enjoys the protections of the U.S. Constitution, legal system, and a Republican
form of Government but retains its own authority for taxation under U.S.
Internal Revenue Code as applicable to the Virgin Islands. This gives
a sense of security to some that might have had concerns about investing
in the territory. |
| There
are no special immigration and residency requirements nor property ownership
restrictions for individuals or corporations residing in the Islands, other
than U.S. immigration laws administered by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service. So yes indeed, Americans do have their own paradise in their
backyard in which they are free to reside and conduct business. |
An
Abundance of Customers on St. Thomas
|
|
| Enough
about work, what about play … |
Boating
on St. Thomas
|
St.
Thomas is a water-sports enthusiast’s dream! The weather is usually
flawless, the beaches are awe-inspiring and the water is warm and gentle.
Boating, sailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling,
parasailing and scuba diving are all options. From windsurfing to
outboarding to catamaraning to yachting, the pleasures and challenges are
many for the seasoned skipper as well as the novice seafarer.
The
U.S. Virgin Islands boasts the largest commercial charter fleet in the
Caribbean, with power and sailing vessels available for either crewed or
bareboat charters. Visitors who want to explore the islands at their
own pace can rent a private powerboat and design their own itinerary, visiting
the islands of their choice to snorkel, picnic or sightsee. |
| The
reefs around St. Thomas offer endlessly fascinating underwater exploration
for both expert divers and beginners. The crystal-clear waters surrounding
the island teem with marine life, easily accessible to both snorkelers
and scuba divers. Equipment is readily available throughout the island,
as are classes, sailing trips and boat tours to all the dive sites around
St. Thomas. |
Snorkeling
|
Sparkling
Water
|
Because
the islands are perched on the edge of the Puerto Rico Trench, a six-mile
drop-off that’s the deepest hole in the Atlantic Ocean, some of the most
challenging sport fish in the world are found here, including white marlin,
wahoo, Allison tuna, dolphin and kingfish.
You
can also take advantage of parasailing to see the Virgin Islands from a
bird’s eye view. Parasailing is a great way to view the beauty of
the Caribbean. You can soar to heights of 800 feet above blue waters
and experience the thrill of being suspended in midair. Parasailing
is available at most waterfront hotels. |
|