VIRGIN ISLANDS

VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES

Area. The Virgin Islands of the United States lie between longitude 64°34′ and 65°6′ W., and between latitudes 17°40' and 18°25′ N., being about 40 miles from Puerto Rico at the nearest point. Their land area is about 132 square miles.

Topography. The island of St. Thomas is of volcanic origin. It appears to be the top of a chain of submerged mountains. A range of rocky hills runs east and west, with branching spurs. The town of Charlotte Amalie is built on three lower spurs of this range.

The island of St. Croix differs entirely in physical aspect from the islands of St. Thomas and St. John. Only the northern part of St. Croix is mountainous. Most of the island consists of fertile plains; the extreme southern part is flat. The island of St. John consists of a series of mountain peaks, hills, and valleys, with little level land.

Climate and Rainfall.-The climate of St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John is remarkably mild and healthful. During the winter months, particularly, the climate of these islands of the Caribbean is among the best in the world. While the islands are situated within the Tropics, the heat of the sun is tempered by the refreshing trade winds, which blow constantly from the north-northeast and northeast during the greater part of the year. The temperature ranges from 69° to 91°, with a difference of about 6° between winter and summer averages. Rainfall (usually in the form of showers) varies somewhat from month to month, but there is no dry season such as many places know; although the averages show that about 45 percent of the rain falls in the last 4 months of the year.

Population. The last official census of the Virgin Islands of the United States (taken in 1930 by the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce) classifies the people by color or race into four main groups-white, negro, mixed, and all other colored. The term "mixed" is used to designate persons of mixed white and negro blood. According to this classification, the census recorded the following distribution by color or race: White, 9.1 percent; Negro, 78.3 percent; mixed, 12.4 percent; other colored, 0.2 percent.

The census also showed a total population of 22,012, divided as follows: St. Croix, 11,413; St. John, 765; St. Thomas, 9,834. Chief Economic Activities.-In St. Croix sugar production and manufacture of rum are the principal industries; in St. Thomas,

shipping is the principal industry, and has continued its improvement with resulting benefits to the community at large.

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

Steamship Service. The American Caribbean Line and the Furness-Bermuda Line maintain fortnightly sailings of freight and passenger steamers from New York City to St. Thomas and St. Croix and return, after calling at various ports in the Windward and Leeward Islands. The Bull Insular Line provides semiweekly passenger, mail, and freight service from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands and return. The East Asiatic Line provides a monthly freight and passenger service from Europe to St. Thomas, thence to Jamaica, through the Panama Canal to the west coast of the United States, and return. The Compagnie Generale Transatlantique provides an irregular freight and passenger service from the French islands in the West Indies to St. Thomas.

Air Service.-Weekly airplane service for mail and passengers is provided by the Pan American Airways and the Aerovias N. Puerto Rico, Inc.

Cable Service.-Cable service is available to all parts of the world.

ENTRY AND CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS

The United States immigration laws are in full force and effect in the Virgin Islands of the United States.

Baggage. Upon arrival in the Virgin Islands, the handling of baggage is accomplished by the United States customs officers, who board vessels and make their inspection upon the ships, except where it is found necessary to bring baggage either to the customs warehouse or to the customs office for inspection. Samples and Advertising.-Commercial travelers are required to file invoices for their samples with the customs office. Samples are then checked against invoices and the traveler is free to show his merchandise and take orders. All advertising matter and samples are duty free if not sold. If intended for sale, duty is assessable at same rate as for other merchandise. Upon the traveler's departure the samples are again checked against invoices. He may sell the samples to merchants or firms working under burgher-briefs, such merchants or firms to make entry and pay duty at the customhouse before delivery of goods is made.

Other Regulations.-The ports in the Virgin Islands are almost free ports, only a nominal duty of 6 percent on invoice value plus all charges to last through port of shipment being assessable on merchandise of foreign origin except the United States. This duty is collected on foreign merchandise imported from the United States and its possessions, unless such merchandise has passed through some process of manufacture which causes it to lose its identity.

The copyright and trade-mark laws of the United States apply to the Virgin Islands, and commercial travelers should be careful to obtain the consent of the United States assignees before offering for sale any merchandise registered in the United States, such as perfumery and liquors.

Residents of the United States, including tourists, are entitled to $100 exemption when returning from the Virgin Islands to the United States; that is, they may include purchases of foreign goods purchased in the Virgin Islands in their $100 exemption from foreign countries. Goods manufactured in the Virgin Islands are duty free in the United States, but any such merchandise which is subject to internal revenue in the United States is liable to such tax upon entry at a United States port. Thus, rum or tobacco products pay internal-revenue tax but no duty, if of Virgin Islands manufacture.

Tourists and other returning residents are advised, before purchasing perfumery and other merchandise with trade-marks registered in the United States, to call at the customs office for information as to conditions under which United States assignees will permit the entry of such merchandise in passenger's baggage. Such passengers are allowed to include in their $100 exemption 1 gallon of liquor for each passenger, 100 cigars, and as many cigarettes as desired (within the exemption).

HINTS TO TRAVELERS

Clothing. Tropical garments are essential to comfort—light summer fabrics (chiefly cotton) for women, and cotton and linen suits for men. White canvas shoes with leather soles are preferable for both men and women.

Hotels.-Bluebeard's Castle Hotel and Grand Hotel in St. Thomas offer the best accommodations.

Holidays. The following holidays are observed in the Virgin Islands: January 1, New Year's Day; February 12, Lincoln's Birthday; February 22, Washington's Birthday; March 31, Transfer Day; Holy Thursday; Good Friday; Easter Monday; Whitmonday; May 30, Memorial Day; July 4, Independence Day; July 25, Supplication Day; first Monday in September, Labor Day; October 25, Thanksgiving Day; November 11, Armistice Day; in November, Thanksgiving Day; December 25, Christmas Day; day after Christmas Day; January 6, known as "Three Kings' Day"; every Thursday commencing at noon, during the months from April to October, inclusive, except the Thursdays in those weeks in which fall holidays other than Sundays.

Business Hours.-Government offices in the Virgin Islands are opened for business from 8 to 12 a. m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p. m. daily, except Sundays and holidays. Bank business hours are 9 to 11:30 a. m. and 1 to 3 p. m.

Currency and Banking.-United States currency is legal tender in the Virgin Islands of the United States. The Virgin Islands National Bank (with head office at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, and branches in Christiansted and Frederiksted, St. Croix) is the principal banking institution in the Virgin Islands. Chief Commercial Centers.-St. Croix, the largest island (population, 11,413), has two ports of entry, Frederiksted and Christiansted. Charlotte Amalie, the only town on St. Thomas, has a population of 9,834.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Area. The British Virgin Islands are located about 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, close to the Virgin Islands of the United States. The principal islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost van Dyke, Peter, and Salt; total area, about 67 square miles. Tortola, largest and most important of the group, is about 12 miles long and 3 miles wide at its broadest point; its area is about 21 square miles.

Topography.-Tortola is hilly, the highest point being Mt. Sage (1,780 feet). Jost van Dyke is rugged and mountainous. Virgin Gorda, almost square in shape, has a mountainous terrain. Anegada is very low.

Climate. The climate of the Virgin Islands is better than that of any other West Indian Islands. The temperature seldom exceeds 90° F. and at night is often as low as 65°. Rainfall Hurricanes sometimes occur. averages about 55 inches.

Population and Industry.-On December 31, 1936, the population was 6,165. Principal economic production consists of cotton, limes, sugar, coconuts, and onions.

Transportation and Communication.-Tortola is best reached via St. Thomas, and thence by motor launch connecting with San There are about 60 miles of road open to Juan, Puerto Rico.

traffic. Motor vehicles are not used.

Entry Requirements.-There are no special regulations regarding the registration of commercial travelers or the entry of transients.

Currency and Banking.—The monetary system is British; British gold, silver, and copper coins are current and are legal tender. American coins are also in circulation. All banking The is done through the Danish National Bank at St. Thomas. Government, however, has organized a savings bank, with an office at Road Town, Tortola.

Commercial Centers.-Road Town, Tortola, chief commercial center, is the only port of entry. It is an open roadstead; ships anchor in a depth of 6 to 14 fathoms within 3 to 4 cable-lengths from shore. A Government pier has been constructed. Anegada and Virgin Gorda Islands are reached from Tortola by motor launch.

WINDWARD ISLANDS

GRENADA

Area. Grenada, most southerly island of the Windward group, is 68 miles southwest of St. Vincent and about 90 miles north of Trinidad. The island is about 21 miles in length, 12 miles at its greatest breadth, and contains about 120 square miles. Between Grenada and St. Vincent are the small island dependencies known as the Grenadines, the largest of which is Carriacou, with an area of 8,467 acres and a population of about 9,400. The Grenadines are of little commercial importance.

Topography.-Grenada is mountainous and picturesque. The island has many small streams, and a number of mineral and other springs.

Climate. Between December and May the weather is dry and pleasant; but during the wet season the air is hot and humid. The climate, however, is healthful; yellow fever is practically unknown.

Population and Industry. The estimated population of Grenada, including Carriacou, as of the year 1937, was 88.201. The principal industry of Grenada is agriculture; chief products, cocoa, nutmeg, and mace. The cultivation of bananas has been started and a sugar factory erected in order to supply local needs. Various other crops are grown, but only to a slight extent. Cultivation of cotton is practically confined to the island of Carriacou,

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

Transportation.-Steamship services are afforded by the Canadian National Line, the Furness-West Indies Line, and the Harrison Steamship Co. There is no regular air service. A network of good roads covers the island. There are 116 miles of main roads and 277 miles of secondary roads, all suitable for motor traffic. While there are no rail or tram services, the Government subsidizes a motor mail and passenger service along the eastern and western coasts.

Communication. There is no inland telegraph service, but a telephone service has been established in the Colony. Wireless communication is available with Barbados, and a cable service connects Grenada with all parts of the world.

HINTS TO TRAVELERS

Entry Requirements and Samples.-There is no special requirement in Grenada for registration of commercial travelers. Sam