A Bit About Our Island... Area: 19 square miles (roughly 9 miles long and 2 miles wide) Population: approximately 5,000 (compared to 55,000 on St. Thomas) Geography: The island is situated 1,075 miles East-SouthEast of Miami, and 30 miles east of Puerto Rico. It is covered with lush tropical vegetation and fringed by iridescent shores. Language: English is the official language. Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken. Religion: Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist, Methodist and Jehovah's Witness. Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz (same as on the US mainland) Newspapers: The Tradewinds is St. John's weekly newspaper. The Daily News, published daily, covers the entire US Virgin Islands. USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and several other US Metropolitan and Puerto Rican newspapers are usually also available. Postal Service: Yes, St. John has it's very own Post Office. Zip Code is 00831. Provisions: Yes, we have our very own SuperMarket (not very "super" by Stateside standards) where you should be able to find just about everything you need food-wise. Expect to pay at least 25% more than Stateside. Wine and spirits are also readily available, and island rums can be cheaper than Coke. Communications: While your rental accommodations will usually offer unlimited free local calls, long distance service is usually blocked. You should come prepared with your own calling card or cell phone. If everything else fails, try 1-800-CALL-ATT. There are a couple of internet cafes where you can check your email, and some rental properties are beginning to offer DSL service. History: St. John's modern day history began in 1718, when the first plantation was established using slave labor. During their heyday, there were 109 different plantations producing sugar, cotton and, of course, rum. Having passed up an earlier opportunity to purchase St. John and the rest of the Danish West Indies for $7.5 million, the US purchased the islands in 1917, at a cost of $25 million, and they are now an unincorporated Territory of the United States. Government: The US Virgin Islands are governed by and elected Governor, and 15 member Senate. Although residents are U.S. citizens, they may not vote in presidential elections. One elected delegate represents the Territory in the U.S. House of Representatives. National Park: In the 1950's, Lawrence Rockefeller acquired ownership of more than half the land area of St. John. Soon after, he reopened Caneel Bay Resort and donated the remaining acreage to the United States Government as public parkland. Currently, the National Park Service staff on St. John maintains over 7,200 acres of parkland and 5,650 acres of offshore waters and reefs. Medical Facilities: The Myrah Keating Smith Clinic is St. John's primary medical care facility. Patients requiring hospitalization are transported by ambulance boat to the Roy L. Schneider Hospital on St. Thomas. Temperature: Sunny days with year round temperatures from 76 to 92 degrees. Daily average temperatures range from 77 degrees in winter to 82 degrees in summer. Warmer days are cooled by pleasant trade winds. Average annual rainfall is 43 inches, with much of that occurring during September and October. Currency: United States currency is used. As on the U.S. mainland, tipping of 15% to 20% is customary for service well done. Time Zone: St. John is in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (except during Daylight Savings Time). Passports: U.S. citizens need not carry passports to visit the Territory, but must be prepared to show evidence of citizenship upon leaving. Some form of identification (driver's license, passport or birth certificate with a picture ID) must be carried. Travel to the British Virgin Islands requires a passport. Dress: St. John has adopted a casual approach to dressing, although abbreviated attire or swimsuits are not acceptable in Cruz Bay. Nude bathing is unlawful. Travel Light: Bring at least two swimsuits, several pairs of shorts, sandals and athletic shoes. There no restaurants in Cruz Bay where a jacket and tie are required or expected. Think casual. Bring a camera, but leave the designer luggage and expensive jewelry at home. Driving: Cars on the island are just like on the US mainland, but driving is on the LEFT side of the road. |
