St Thomas

Second-largest of the US Virgin Islands in the West Indies, 64 km/40 mi east of Puerto Rico; area 80 sq km/31 sq mi; population (1997) approximately 48,000. The island, which is of volcanic origin, is 20 km/12.5 mi long and 5 km/3 mi wide. Its chief town is the port of Charlotte Amalie. Agriculture was once the principal industry, with sugar being the main crop, but the economy of the island is now based on tourism.

A range of hills runs across the length of the island, and the highest peak is Crown Mountain, 460 m/1,510 ft in height.

History The explorer Christopher Columbus visited the island on his second voyage in 1493. The Dutch were the first to colonize the island, in the late 17th century. The Danish West India and Guinea Company acquired the island in 1671 and sold it to the British in 1755. The British held the island until 1801 and from 1807 to 1815, when it was restored to Denmark. The US purchased the island from Denmark in 1917. St Thomas suffered extensive damage when it was hit by Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn in 1995.