Facts About St.
Croix USVI And Gentle Winds St. Croix
Condominiums
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Gentle Winds,
St. Croix
Condominiums
U.S. Virgin
Islands
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 About
St. Croix
St.
Croix is the largest of the
three islands which comprise
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
It is 28 miles
long and 7 miles wide covering
82 square miles, with a
population of 50,000.
Its vegetation ranges
from the semi-arid flora in
the east to a tropical rain
forest in the
west(click
here to
view a map of St.
Croix).
Seven
flags have flown over the
island of St. Croix, with the
most recent being Denmark and
the United States. The
island was originally
inhabited by the Arawak and
more fierce Carib Indians.
It was the Carib Indians
that Columbus encountered on
his second trip to the new
world, in 1493, when he made
landfall at Salt River on the
north shore of St. Croix.
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The
climate is generally sunny
with year round temperatures
ranging in the 80's during the
day to 70's most nights.
The gentle trade winds
blowing in from the east tend
to keep the humidity low.
Most island showers are
quick, tropical and over in a
brief time. Annual
rainfall averages about 40
inches with September -
October rainier than the
winter months.
St.
Croix is on Atlantic Standard
Time, so be sure to adjust
your watches and clocks when
you arrive. AST is one
hour earlier than Eastern
Standard Time and the same as
Eastern Daylight Savings
Time.
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Christiansted,
the main town on St. Croix, is
located on the north shore
about mid-island. It is
known for its duty-free
shopping, art galleries, and
fine restaurants and charming
island bars. Here you
can find fabulous examples of
Danish architecture in the
town's many buildings (dating
back to the 1700's) and a
restored fort protecting
Christiansted Harbour. A
walking tour of the town is
well worth the
time.
Water
sports are a major part of
island life -- with many
beaches, reefs, and
recreational opportunities
available on your visit.
St. Croix has some of
the best diving and snorkeling
in the Caribbean.
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For
scuba divers, its famous wall
dives are without comparison
-- with a high probability of
an encounter with some of our
abundant sea life. Sea
turtles, barracuda, eels, a
host of tropical fish, and an
occasional nurse shark are all
part of the tropical dive
experience. To
assist you with your diving
needs, there are many top
ranked Dive Centers which can
provide a wide variety of
diving
opportunities.
A
day sail to Buck Island
National Park, an 800 acre
natural reserve, provides the
only under-water snorkeling
site in the U.S. National Park
system. The Buck Island
beach has been touted as one
of the Caribbean's finest and
is not to be missed.
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For
those preferring a dryer
island experience, don't
forget the excitement of St.
Croix's new Divi Carina Bay
Casino. It is located on
the east end of the island and
provides nightly entertainment
while you try your hand at the
many table games or slot and
video machines.
Don't
forget the challenging 18 hole
golf courses at Carambola and
Buccaneer Hotel. The
championship golf course at
Carambola Golf and Tennis
Resort was designed by Robert
Trent Jones Sr. and combines a
beautiful tropical setting
with a challenging array of
fairway designs. The
Buccaneer Hotel has designed a
scenic course with outstanding
views amid rolling hills and a
tropical sea-side
setting.
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Much
of St. Croix's charm lies in
the gently rolling hills, vast
stretches of beach, and the
many ruins dotting the island
-- over 100 sugar mills and
great houses left from the
plantation days.
It is this blend
of old Caribbean charm and
modern day activities that
will ensure your vacation will
be a memorable experience.
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Additional
Facts
About St. Croix
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Citizenship:
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Virgin
Islanders are U.S. citizens.
The U.S. Virgin Islands
is considered a U.S.
Territory. The Virgin
Islands has a governor and
legislature elected locally,
but the President of the
United States is still the
Head of State.
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Currency
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U.S.
Dollars
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Climate:
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Average
temperature is 77 - 85
degrees. Rainfall can
average 40 inches on the west
end of the island and as
little as 10 inches on the
east end of the
island.
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Dress:
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Mostly
casual during the day and
informal at night. It is
frowned upon to wear bathing
suits, short shorts or bare
midriffs in town.
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Electricity:
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110
volts, 60 cycles
AC
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Income
Tax:
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The
U.S. Virgin Islands uses the
United States' IRS Tax Code,
but the tax dollars are
retained locally. Social
Security and Federal
Unemployment taxes are paid to
the U.S.
Government.
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Language:
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English
with Spanish spoken
frequently
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Population:
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Approximately
50,000
people
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Sales
Tax:
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There
is no sales tax, however,
there is an 8% hotel room
tax.
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Size:
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28
miles long and 7 miles wide
(at its widest
point)
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Time:
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Atlantic
Standard Time -- Daylight
Savings Time is not
observed
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Water:
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Most
people drink bottled or
purified water. Water is
available from wells, cisterns
(stored rain water) and
desalinated sea
water.
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Recommended Reading:
Meet the Virgins… The Settlers
Handbook
Megnin Publications
The Romantic History of St.
Croix
Florence Lewisohn
Life in the Left Lane
Emy Thomas
Don't Stop the Carnival
Herman Wouk
( Just for the fun of It )
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