St. John Overview

St. John is the closest to a true Caribbean experience that visitors to the U. S. Virgin Islands can have. Development is limited due to the fact that two thirds of the island is U. S. National Parkland. There is little distraction, as most of the activities occur during the day and are predominated by the water.  Island Hideaways' villa renters will find magnificent beaches and enjoy exploring the island. For the visitor that seeks relief from stress, St. John is the perfect prescription!  

St. John had much the same early development as other Caribbean islands. The first inhabitants were several early Indian tribes of the Americas. The nomadic Ciboneys of the Stone Age were followed by the Arawaks. These peaceful people were then replaced by the aggressive Caribs. Columbus sighted and claimed the Virgin Islands for Spain on his second voyage in 1493; however, it was the Danes that brought radical change in the early 1700's when Danish settlers imported slaves and began developing sugar plantations. The emancipation of slaves by Danish Decree in 1848 and competition in the sugar industry caused a rapid decline in the sugar plantations. For the next hundred years, the island reverted back to its natural state. Then in 1917, the U.S. purchased the island from Denmark. In 1952, Lawrence S. Rockefeller developed the Caneel Bay Resort. The nonprofit Jackson Hole Preserve founded by the Rockefellers purchased 5,000 acres and donated them to the U.S. Government.

Capital

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI. Cruz Bay is the main village for shopping and supplies.

Language

English

Politics

The U.S. Virgin Islands is a U.S. territory. The Organic Act of July 22, 1954 gives the U.S. Department of the Interior jurisdiction over the U.S. Virgin Islands. Limited legislative powers have been granted to a democratically elected legislature of 15 senators.

Population

3,000

Industry

Tourism is the major industry of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  

The Island

St. John is only 20 square miles and the land rises quickly from the many beaches to its mountains. The western areas are wooded and lush while the drier eastern end features cactus covered cliffs and salt ponds. Hurricane Hole features mangrove thickets and numerous reefs shelter sandy beaches. 2/3 of St. John is protected as a U.S. National Park. The weather is perfect year round benefiting from the cooling breezes of the trade winds. The Virgin Islands are 40 miles east of Puerto Rico.

Medical Services

There is a medical clinic on St. John and more complete medical services on nearby St. Thomas.

St. John Guide

• St. John Overview
• St. John Calendar
• St. John Shopping
• St. John Sports
• St. John Night Life
• St. John Restaurants
• St. John Must See
• St. John Beaches
• St. John Transportation
• St. John When To Go
• St. John Climate
• St. John Travel Tips