Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Roll the Dice
In 1996, U.S. senators agreed to allow
the opening of gambling casinos in the
U.S. Virgin Islands, granting permission
for the building of two casino hotels on
St. Croix. In a bow to the islanders, sen-
ators agreed that majority ownership
of the casino hotels will be reserved for
locals. The arrival of gambling conflicts
with the desire of many islanders to
preserve the scenic beauty of their
land. Nonetheless, the gambling wheels
are spinning at St. Croix's
Divi Carina
Bay Casino.
The establishment of a sec-
ond casino on St. Croix was approved
at a building site in Robin Bay several
years ago, but ground has not been
broken yet as of 2011. Local govern-
ments are struggling to balance the
preservation of the islands' number-
one resource—scenic beauty—with
modern economic realities.
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St. Thomas, long a refuge from the bustle of Charlotte Amalie, the capital. Locals
claim this controversy over Botany Bay may not be settled before 2020, if then.
The area is a final refuge for deer and a nesting ground for sea turtles, with some
of the healthiest coral reefs around St. Thomas. Some developers want to turn this
pristine area into a resort complex with hotel rooms, timeshare apartments, and con-
dos. The island is more than $1 billion in debt—and it needs the cash that develop-
ment could bring. Caroline Brown, of the Environmental Association of St. Thomas,
has issued a dire warning that islanders may find themselves “living in a concrete
jungle.” Because protection of the environment is at issue here, this is a hot-button
political topic, and much of the future of the islands is riding on what the eventual
plan will be for Botany Bay.
LOOKING BACK: VIRGIN
ISLANDS HISTORY
A Brief History
Christopher Columbus is credited with “discovering” the Virgin Islands in 1493, but,
in fact, they had already been inhabited for 3,000 years. It is believed that the original
settlers were the nomadic Ciboney Indians, who migrated from the mainland of
South America and lived off the islands' fish and vegetation. The first real homestead-
ers were the peaceful Arawak Indians, who arrived from Venezuela, presumably in
dugout canoes with sails.
For about 500 years, the Arawaks occupied the Virgin Islands, until the arrival of the
cannibalistic Carib Indians in the 15th century. The Caribs destroyed the Arawaks,
either by working them to death as slaves or by eating them. With the advent of Euro-
pean explorers and their diseases, these tribes were completely wiped out.
The Age of Colonization
In November 1493, on his second voyage to the New World, Columbus spotted the
Virgin Islands, naming them
Las Once Mil Virgenes,
after the Christian St. Ursula and
her martyred maidens. Short of drinking water, he decided to anchor at what is now
Salt River on St. Croix's north shore. His men were greeted by a rainfall of arrows.
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