Beaches | History | Sights | St. John | St. John Facts | Restaurants | Links

St. John, US Virgin Islands - About the Island

St. John, US Virgin Islands is the home to over three dozen vacation rental homes and villas offered by Catered To.  The island is rich with beauty and unique in character.

St. John is one of four islands that make up the US Virgin Islands. They are, in order of size, St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island. They belong to the Lesser Antilles chain of the West Indies, east of Puerto Rico and lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. 

The three islands, with their areas, are St. Thomas (73 sq km/28 sq mi), St. John (52 sq km/20 sq mi), and St. Croix (207 sq km/80 sq mi). The capital is Charlotte Amalie (1990 population, 12,000), on St. Thomas. The total area is 347 sq km (134 sq mi), and the total population (2000) is 120,917.

The islands are generally hilly to mountainous. Crown Mountain (474 m/1,555 ft) on St. Thomas is the highest point. The climate is tropical, moderated by prevailing trade winds. The average annual temperature is 26.7° C (80° F). Vegetation is luxuriant and diverse. Mineral resources are lacking, although sand and stone are mined for local construction.

Tourism is vital to the economy of the Virgin Islands. Some 32 percent of all paid employees are engaged in retail sales or in services provided by recreation, motels, hotels, and restaurants. The number of tourists visiting the islands rose from about 200,000 in 1960 and 1961 to some 1.5 million in 1986; in the same period, spending by tourists grew from $26 million to more than $500 million. Some 1.6 million tourists arrived by cruise ship alone in 1998. Products manufactured in the islands include rum, watches, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. The islands also have petroleum and alumina processing plants.

Catered To's vacation rentals can provide you with all the peace or excitement you wish and let you enjoy this remarkable paradise!  The following information is designed to help you as you select the location that will be just right for you and your group.