Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the environmental impact, but the tension between development and sustainability remains
a major issue.
» Population USVI: 109,700
» Population BVI: 25,400
» GDP per capita USVI: $14,500
» GDP per capita BVI: $38,500
» Life expectancy USVI: 79.3 years
» Life expectancy BVI: 77.6 years
Take the situation on St John with Maho Bay Camps. The ecofriendly tent resort has
drawn visitors to its forested, beachfront hillside for more than 30 years. Alas, it sits on
leased land, and as the lease ends, the owners are wrestling with temptation to sell to de-
velopers. The Trust for Public Land has rallied to acquire the property. So far though, the
green hills' fate remains undecided. Resort developments on St Thomas' West End, St
Croix's East End and Tortola's East End have also faced opposition from conservationists
in recent years.
Crime
The Virgin Islands have seen a marked increase in drug-related violent crimes over the past
few years. This has occurred as Latin American producers shift transportation routes away
from cartel-plagued Mexico and into the Caribbean. With the drugs has come a steady flow
of illegal firearms that invariably end up in the wrong hands. The USVI saw a record 66
homicides committed in 2010, which is 10 more than in 2009. Most crimes happen away
from tourist areas, but not always: in early 2010 a stray bullet killed a young tourist at Coki
Beach.
Politics
Elections in November 2010 returned Democrat John de Jongh to the governor's seat, the
top post in the USVI leadership. It is his second consecutive term, and he'll hold the role
until 2014. Democrats have dominated the post over the past two decades; they also control
the USVI Senate, with 10 of the 15 seats. The Independents hold three seats, while the con-
servative Independent Citizen's Movement holds two seats. The Republicans hold none.
