U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Issues and Resources

The U.S. Virgin Islands are part of the Virgin Islands archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. This U.S. territory has a population of 108,708, which is concentrated on the three islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. The capital, Charlotte Amalie, located on the island of St. Thomas, features a natural harbor, which has attracted visiting ships for hundreds of years. The surrounding fifty-plus smaller islands are largely uninhabited. The U.S. Virgin Islands contain some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world, many of which are protected in the Virgin Islands National Park, which covers 60 percent of St. John. The U.S. Virgin Islands are characterized by an abundance of natural beauty, drawing tourists from around the world who come to explore the dense subtropical forests, kayak through coastal mangrove swamps and snorkel in coral reefs surrounding the islands.