Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands

Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands
Town
Town of Christiansted

Aerial view of Christiansted
Country United States United States of America
Territory United States Virgin Islands Virgin Islands
Island Saint Croix
Established September 1, 1734
Population (2004)
  Total 3,000

Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands is the largest town on Saint Croix, one of the main islands comprising the United States Virgin Islands, a territory of the United States of America. It is a former capital of the Danish West Indies and home to the Christiansted National Historic Site. Christiansted as of 2004, had a population of about 3,000. The 2000 census population of the town was 2,637; that of the larger sub-district was 2,865.[1]

The town was founded by Frederick Moth after he was made governor of St.Croix in 1733. It has preserved the 18th-century Danish-style buildings constructed by African slaves. Solid stone buildings in pastel colors with bright red tile roofs line the cobblestone sidewalks, adding a touch of 18th-century European architectural style. Because the town was constructed by African slaves, there are many African influences in Christiansted's design as well, making it one of the few "African-Danish" towns in the world. The town's symmetry, with streets running at right angles to the waterfront, makes it popular for walking tours. The commercial area centers on King and Company streets, adjacent to the Christiansted National Historic Site. The residential area, including portions that were originally settlements for free blacks, extends inland and uphill from the commercial area.

The town has small hotels and many restaurants. Several scuba shops operate in the town, as the wharf has easy access to many diving attractions on the north side of the island. A small point of interest is Protestant Cay, a cay near Christiansted.

The botanist Julius von Röhr started a botanic garden in Christiansted in the 18th century and produced a number of landscapes of the island.

Economy

Seaborne Airlines previously had headquarters in Christiansted.[2]

Education

Public schools serving the community are operated by the St. Croix School District.

Climate

Climate data for Christiansted Henry E Rohlsen International Airport
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 92
(33)
93
(34)
92
(33)
93
(34)
94
(34)
97
(36)
94
(34)
95
(35)
95
(35)
98
(37)
93
(34)
92
(33)
98
(37)
Average high °F (°C) 84.0
(28.9)
84.1
(28.9)
84.7
(29.3)
85.5
(29.7)
86.4
(30.2)
87.9
(31.1)
88.6
(31.4)
89.1
(31.7)
88.7
(31.5)
87.9
(31.1)
86.2
(30.1)
84.7
(29.3)
86.5
(30.3)
Average low °F (°C) 72.3
(22.4)
72.2
(22.3)
72.7
(22.6)
74.4
(23.6)
76.4
(24.7)
78.0
(25.6)
78.4
(25.8)
78.6
(25.9)
77.5
(25.3)
76.6
(24.8)
75.1
(23.9)
73.5
(23.1)
75.5
(24.2)
Record low °F (°C) 59
(15)
61
(16)
60
(16)
57
(14)
63
(17)
62
(17)
64
(18)
63
(17)
58
(14)
65
(18)
52
(11)
61
(16)
52
(11)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.10
(53.3)
1.62
(41.1)
1.48
(37.6)
2.06
(52.3)
3.98
(101.1)
2.15
(54.6)
3.04
(77.2)
3.14
(79.8)
4.33
(110)
4.94
(125.5)
5.83
(148.1)
2.93
(74.4)
37.60
(955)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) 15.8 13.0 11.6 10.1 12.1 11.1 16.5 15.2 14.3 16.5 15.6 17.2 168.9
Source: NOAA (normals 1981−2010)[3]

Notable people

Notes

  1. Census press release
  2. "Contact Seaborne Airlines" (). Seaborne Airlines. February 7, 2006. Retrieved on April 18, 2015. "Postal Address: Seaborne Airlines Attn: Feedback 34 Strand Street Christiansted, VI 00820 "
  3. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 19, 2013.

References

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Christiansted.

Media related to Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 17°45′N 64°45′W / 17.750°N 64.750°W / 17.750; -64.750

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/25/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.