Virgin Islands of the United States

A Dictionary of Contemporary World History | 2004 | 700+ words | Copyright

Virgin Islands of the United States The larger part of the Caribbean Virgin Island group consisting of some 60 islands, they were under Danish sovereignty until they were bought by the USA in 1916 for $25,000,000. Their residents became US citizens in 1927, and a civilian administration took over from the US Navy in 1931. Defined by a 1936 Organic Act as an ‘unincorporated territory’ of the USA, their inhabitants have consistently opposed greater independence for fear of economic decline. In 1972 they were granted a Deputy in the US House of Representatives, albeit without the right to vote. Its economy has continued to be heavily reliant on the United States and its dependent territories.

British Virgin Islands

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JAN PALMOWSKI. "Virgin Islands of the United States." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Virgin Islands of the United States." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-VirginIslandsofthentdStts.html

JAN PALMOWSKI. "Virgin Islands of the United States." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-VirginIslandsofthentdStts.html

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