The Americana Series Monthly Challenge (the Territory Edition) – July 2023: US Virgin Islands
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For the month of July 2023, we leave the Pacific Ocean behind us and travel 9,322 miles (15,002km) east to the Atlantic Ocean and the US Virgin Islands.
The Americana Series Monthly Challenge (the Territories) – July 2023: US Virgin Islands
History
The US Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, are a group of Caribbean islands and an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States. The territory's capital is Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas. The 2020 US census concluded St. Thomas as the most populated island, just edging out St. Croix with 42,261 residents to 41,004. St. John has a population of 3,881.
Previously known as the Danish West Indies of the Kingdom of Denmark–Norway (from 1754 to 1814) and the independent Kingdom of Denmark (from 1814 to 1917), they were sold to the United States by Denmark for $25,000,000 in the 1917 Treaty of the Danish West Indies and have since been an organized, unincorporated United States territory. The U.S. Virgin Islands are organized under the 1954 Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands and have since held five constitutional conventions. As with other territories in the United States, the Virgin Islands elects a delegate who can participate in debates in the House of Representatives but cannot vote.
Tourism and related categories are the primary economic activities.
Geography
The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles to the east of Puerto Rico and west of the British Virgin Islands.
The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas and 50 other surrounding minor islands and cays. The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.36 km2). St. Croix is the territory’s largest island at 84 square miles, while St. Thomas, although more populated, is only 32 square miles. St. John is 20 square miles.
Fun Facts
In 1493, Christopher Columbus sailed through the Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World. He merely passed by St. John and St. Thomas, donning them Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes (Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins) after the Christian legend. Eventually, the name became The Virgins.
The US Virgin Islands is the only place within US territory where driving on the left side is the law of the land. The reason dates back to the coexistence of donkeys and cars on the roadways, where the stubborn animals only knew to pass on the left.
The US Virgin Islands, particularly the beaches of St. Croix, are some of the world’s busiest sea turtle nesting sites. Specifically, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge sees numerous leatherback, green, and hawksbill sea turtle nests.
The US Virgin Islands has a rich history of piracy and privateering, making the three islands susceptible to romanticized folklore similar to Pirates of the Caribbean. However, many of these tales are not far off as roaming pirates such as Captain Kidd, Black Sam Bellamy, and Blackbeard were reported to pass through. Just off of St. John’s East End is Norman Island of the British Virgin Islands. This island is the setting for the 1883 novel Treasure Island and author Louis Stevenson’s Dead Chest Island.
Point Udall on St. Croix is the easternmost point in the United States and one of the best places to witness a sunrise.
Most visitors know the US Virgin Islands’ three main islands, but many don’t know there’s a recently added fourth: tiny Water Island, located off the south coast of St. Thomas. Covering just 492 acres, and so named for its collection of fresh water ponds, Water Island fell under private ownership until 1944, when the U.S. bought it for a cool $10,000. In 1996, the U.S. transferred the island to local jurisdiction, making it what locals playfully call “The Last Virgin.”
At a couple spots throughout the Virgin Islands, the water lights up at night as if electrified. Known as bioluminescence, this rare phenomenon is caused by the blooming of millions of tiny plankton called dinoflagellate. Conditions have to be just right, and one of the best places in the world to find them is Salt River Bay, located on St. Croix. There, outfitters offer night tours, often in glass bottom boats so tourists can get a close look at the light show.
St. Thomas is also home to the second oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. It has sand floors and a menorah that dates back to the 11th century. It was declared a National Landmark in 1997 and people of all denominations are welcome to come visit it today.
Notable Residents
The founding father and Broadway inspiration moved to the island of St. Croix with his family in 1765. In 1768, Alexander and his mother, Rachael, came down with a tropical fever that killed her, and nearly claimed his life, as well. Orphaned, Hamilton began working as a clerk at an import-export firm in Christiansted, where he quickly gained a reputation for being competent and highly literate. After publishing an essay in the Royal Danish-American Gazette about the experience of living through a hurricane, Hamilton gained local funding to further his education in New Jersey.
Famous People from the US Virgin Islands include: Kelsey Grammer (actor); Camille Pissarro (artist); Raja Bell (professional basketball player) and Callix Crabbe (baseball player)
The territory is/was home to a number of writers: Barbara Christian (1943–2000), educator and writer; Doris Jadan (1925–2004), author and environmental activist; lived on St. John from 1955 until her death; Audre Lorde (1934–1992), writer, feminist, civil rights activist; born in New York, died on St. Croix; Karrine Steffans (born 1978), author; Tiphanie Yanique (born 1978), author; born and raised on St. Thomas.
In honor of the US VIRGIN ISLANDS, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Water," "Island," "Carribean/Ocean," "East," or "Bay" in the title OR has an Island, a Sea Creature, a Beach or a Sunrise on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book that takes place on an Island OR includes a character who is a Pirate or other type of criminal OR has a Politician as a main character OR has a character who is an Explorer; and
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's FIRST AND LAST initial (no middle initials or names) can be found in US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Happy Reading ❤
The Americana Series Monthly Challenge (the Territories) – July 2023: US Virgin Islands
History
The US Virgin Islands, officially the Virgin Islands of the United States, are a group of Caribbean islands and an unincorporated and organized territory of the United States. The territory's capital is Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas. The 2020 US census concluded St. Thomas as the most populated island, just edging out St. Croix with 42,261 residents to 41,004. St. John has a population of 3,881.
Previously known as the Danish West Indies of the Kingdom of Denmark–Norway (from 1754 to 1814) and the independent Kingdom of Denmark (from 1814 to 1917), they were sold to the United States by Denmark for $25,000,000 in the 1917 Treaty of the Danish West Indies and have since been an organized, unincorporated United States territory. The U.S. Virgin Islands are organized under the 1954 Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands and have since held five constitutional conventions. As with other territories in the United States, the Virgin Islands elects a delegate who can participate in debates in the House of Representatives but cannot vote.
Tourism and related categories are the primary economic activities.
Geography
The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles to the east of Puerto Rico and west of the British Virgin Islands.
The U.S. Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas and 50 other surrounding minor islands and cays. The total land area of the territory is 133.73 square miles (346.36 km2). St. Croix is the territory’s largest island at 84 square miles, while St. Thomas, although more populated, is only 32 square miles. St. John is 20 square miles.
Fun Facts
In 1493, Christopher Columbus sailed through the Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the New World. He merely passed by St. John and St. Thomas, donning them Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Vírgenes (Saint Ursula and her 11,000 Virgins) after the Christian legend. Eventually, the name became The Virgins.
The US Virgin Islands is the only place within US territory where driving on the left side is the law of the land. The reason dates back to the coexistence of donkeys and cars on the roadways, where the stubborn animals only knew to pass on the left.
The US Virgin Islands, particularly the beaches of St. Croix, are some of the world’s busiest sea turtle nesting sites. Specifically, Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge sees numerous leatherback, green, and hawksbill sea turtle nests.
The US Virgin Islands has a rich history of piracy and privateering, making the three islands susceptible to romanticized folklore similar to Pirates of the Caribbean. However, many of these tales are not far off as roaming pirates such as Captain Kidd, Black Sam Bellamy, and Blackbeard were reported to pass through. Just off of St. John’s East End is Norman Island of the British Virgin Islands. This island is the setting for the 1883 novel Treasure Island and author Louis Stevenson’s Dead Chest Island.
Point Udall on St. Croix is the easternmost point in the United States and one of the best places to witness a sunrise.
Most visitors know the US Virgin Islands’ three main islands, but many don’t know there’s a recently added fourth: tiny Water Island, located off the south coast of St. Thomas. Covering just 492 acres, and so named for its collection of fresh water ponds, Water Island fell under private ownership until 1944, when the U.S. bought it for a cool $10,000. In 1996, the U.S. transferred the island to local jurisdiction, making it what locals playfully call “The Last Virgin.”
At a couple spots throughout the Virgin Islands, the water lights up at night as if electrified. Known as bioluminescence, this rare phenomenon is caused by the blooming of millions of tiny plankton called dinoflagellate. Conditions have to be just right, and one of the best places in the world to find them is Salt River Bay, located on St. Croix. There, outfitters offer night tours, often in glass bottom boats so tourists can get a close look at the light show.
St. Thomas is also home to the second oldest synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. It has sand floors and a menorah that dates back to the 11th century. It was declared a National Landmark in 1997 and people of all denominations are welcome to come visit it today.
Notable Residents
The founding father and Broadway inspiration moved to the island of St. Croix with his family in 1765. In 1768, Alexander and his mother, Rachael, came down with a tropical fever that killed her, and nearly claimed his life, as well. Orphaned, Hamilton began working as a clerk at an import-export firm in Christiansted, where he quickly gained a reputation for being competent and highly literate. After publishing an essay in the Royal Danish-American Gazette about the experience of living through a hurricane, Hamilton gained local funding to further his education in New Jersey.
Famous People from the US Virgin Islands include: Kelsey Grammer (actor); Camille Pissarro (artist); Raja Bell (professional basketball player) and Callix Crabbe (baseball player)
The territory is/was home to a number of writers: Barbara Christian (1943–2000), educator and writer; Doris Jadan (1925–2004), author and environmental activist; lived on St. John from 1955 until her death; Audre Lorde (1934–1992), writer, feminist, civil rights activist; born in New York, died on St. Croix; Karrine Steffans (born 1978), author; Tiphanie Yanique (born 1978), author; born and raised on St. Thomas.
In honor of the US VIRGIN ISLANDS, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Water," "Island," "Carribean/Ocean," "East," or "Bay" in the title OR has an Island, a Sea Creature, a Beach or a Sunrise on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book that takes place on an Island OR includes a character who is a Pirate or other type of criminal OR has a Politician as a main character OR has a character who is an Explorer; and
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's FIRST AND LAST initial (no middle initials or names) can be found in US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Happy Reading ❤
2bhabeck
Brenda's Americana Challenge - July 2023
3 of 3 Complete
In honor of the US VIRGIN ISLANDS, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Water," "Island," "Carribean/Ocean," "East," or "Bay" in the title OR has an Island, a Sea Creature, a Beach or a Sunrise on the cover;
The Girls in the Water by Victoria Jenkins; finished 7/23/2023; 3.5 stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book that takes place on an Island OR includes a character who is a Pirate or other type of criminal OR has a Politician as a main character OR has a character who is an Explorer; and
The Passengers by John Marrs; has a politician (MP) as a main character; finished 7/18/2023; 4.5 stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's FIRST AND LAST initial (no middle initials or names) can be found in US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Breakup by Dana Stabenow; finished 7/2/2023; 4 stars
3 of 3 Complete
In honor of the US VIRGIN ISLANDS, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Water," "Island," "Carribean/Ocean," "East," or "Bay" in the title OR has an Island, a Sea Creature, a Beach or a Sunrise on the cover;
The Girls in the Water by Victoria Jenkins; finished 7/23/2023; 3.5 stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book that takes place on an Island OR includes a character who is a Pirate or other type of criminal OR has a Politician as a main character OR has a character who is an Explorer; and
The Passengers by John Marrs; has a politician (MP) as a main character; finished 7/18/2023; 4.5 stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's FIRST AND LAST initial (no middle initials or names) can be found in US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
Breakup by Dana Stabenow; finished 7/2/2023; 4 stars
3Carol420
Carol's Going To Hang Out With A Few Water Friends
🧨 -★
3/3 - DONE 7/17
🧨 1. A Mystery/Suspense book with "Water," "Island," "Carribean/Ocean," "East," or "Bay" in the title OR has an Island, a Sea Creature, a Beach or a Sunrise on the cover.
Into The Water - Paula Hawkins -3.5★
🧨2. A Mystery/Suspense book that takes place on an Island OR includes a character who is a Pirate or other type of criminal OR has a Politician as a main character OR has a character who is an Explorer.
Whisper Island - Carissa Ann Lynch -5★ (an Alaskan Island)
🧨3. A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's FIRST AND LAST initial (no middle initials or names) can be found in US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
The Only one Left - Riley Sager-5★ (R & S)
4gaylebutz
I'm going to read Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman.
Has water in the title and is set on an island.
Has water in the title and is set on an island.
6bhabeck
>3 Carol420: >5 Carol420: Good Job!
7gaylebutz
Done - Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman - 2★
Has water in the title and partly set on an island.
Has water in the title and partly set on an island.
8bhabeck
>7 gaylebutz: Well Done!
9bhabeck
>2 bhabeck: Done. Much better selection of books than last month's...lol
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