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Saint Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands)

Saint Thomas is a Caribbean island and seat of the U.S. Virgin Islands government, known for Charlotte Amalie, protected harbors, historic Danish architecture, beaches, and a tourism-driven economy.

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: September 6, 2021 Last updated: May 19, 2026

Overview

Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean that forms part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It hosts the territory's capital, Charlotte Amalie, and is a focal point for tourism, commerce, and government services in the territory. The island combines a compact urban center with steep hills, sheltered bays and a variety of coastal beaches and reefs.

Geography and environment

Saint Thomas is volcanic in origin, with a landscape of ridges and valleys that descend to a jagged coastline. Natural features include protected harbors, mangrove-lined coves and coral reefs that support marine life and popular snorkeling spots. The island's tropical climate is warm year-round, with a pronounced wet season and the risk of Atlantic hurricanes during the summer and early autumn.

History

The island's human history began with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, followed by European contact and settlement. From the late 17th century Saint Thomas was part of the Danish West Indies and developed as an entrepôt and plantation economy. The built environment bears marks of that era in forts, warehouses and colonial-era streetscapes. In 1917 Denmark sold the islands to the United States, after which Saint Thomas gradually shifted toward a service- and tourism-oriented economy while retaining historic buildings and cultural traditions shaped by African, European and Caribbean influences.

Economy and transportation

The modern economy of Saint Thomas is dominated by tourism, retail and maritime activities. Charlotte Amalie's deepwater harbor is a major destination for cruise ships, and the downtown area includes duty-free shops and historic waterfront wharves. Visitors come for beaches, snorkeling, sailing and cultural attractions. Local transport infrastructure includes a primary airport serving commercial flights, a network of roads that connect towns and lookout points, and frequent ferry services to neighboring islands such as St. John and St. Croix.

Culture, landmarks and community life

Saint Thomas has a diverse community with cultural expressions that reflect African, European and Caribbean roots. Religious, musical and culinary traditions are vibrant parts of island life. Notable sites include colonial-era fortifications, period architecture in Charlotte Amalie, and several well-known beaches and bays that attract visitors and residents alike.

Practical information and distinctions

Politically, Saint Thomas is part of an unincorporated territory of the United States; people born on the island are U.S. citizens, and local government handles many internal affairs while certain federal responsibilities remain with the U.S. government. The island is distinct for its concentration of administrative functions for the territory, its natural harbors that supported its historical role as a trading center, and its modern role as a major Caribbean tourist hub. Conservation of coral reefs, careful coastal development and hurricane preparedness are ongoing priorities for residents and authorities.

Major town: Charlotte Amalie (territorial capital)
Typical activities: cruising, snorkeling, historic tours, beach recreation
Transport: commercial airport, cruise and cargo port facilities, inter-island ferries

History

Discovery and colonization

In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the island for Europe on his second voyage to the New World. Subsequently, the indigenous population was exterminated by the Europeans. However, the island remained uncolonized for centuries until the Danes occupied the island in 1666. Initially, it was only a few Danes that the Dansk Vestindiske Kompagni sent as a trading company in 1670, before it was decided that the island should belong to Denmark.

From 1672 the population grew and especially the town of Christiansfort developed rapidly. In 1691 it was named after the Danish queen, Christian V's wife, Charlotte Amalie. Sugar cane plantations were established on the island. By 1688, there were 47 plantations on Saint Thomas. The plantations required an increasing number of workers, who were brought from Africa as slaves. By 1690, there were ten times as many Africans as Europeans on the island. The island owed its subsequent boom to the rum and slave trade.

From 1685 to 1693, the island was home to the Electorate of Brandenburg's colony of Saint Thomas, which was leased from Denmark. Saint Thomas attracted many pirates who took shelter in the many bays and plundered ships in the Caribbean from there. The most famous buccaneers to visit Saint Thomas were Blackbeard and Bluebeard. As late as 1822, the Spanish government complained that buccaneers were taking up residence on Saint Thomas, but was rebuffed by the Danish West Indian governor. It was not until 1829 that the days of the pirates ended there.

Trade and flourishing

The Danes maintained sugar cane plantations and exported sugar, tobacco and rum. The colony's triangular trade was an important part of the Danish economy for 200 years. The "Dansk Vestindisk Kompagni" was given the right to buy up everything that was produced. As a monopolist, it was responsible for trade with Denmark. Above all, Copenhagen developed as a port of destination for sailing ships from the West Indies. But the port city of Flensburg, which belonged to the Danish state at the time, was also able to profit from the boom.

After the Danish state acquired the Danish West Indies in 1755, all Danish ships had access to the islands. For Denmark, the sugar tax became a steady source of revenue. In 1790 the customs revenue amounted to 6000 riksdaler, 40 years later it was over 10 million riksdaler. At the same time, Danish trade with the islands increased sharply: while around 1760 only three or four ships sailed to the islands annually, a decade later there were already 35 annually. When the South American states began the war for independence in 1804, Saint Thomas flourished because the Danish king declared Charlotte Amalie a free port. During the wars against Spain, trade for both sides was conducted in neutral Charlotte Amalie. In 1804 alone, more than 1300 ships came into the port and in 1820, more than 2300.

In 1839, Saint Thomas became a base for the British Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. After the company left the island, the Hamburg-America Line came to Saint Thomas. It was not until after 1840 that many left the island. On July 3, 1848, Danish Governor von Stolten announced the abolition of slavery, forestalling a threatened rebellion by the slaves living in large numbers on the three islands. The population consisted of three groups, the majority of the population were the slaves who had been brought from Africa, from them also descended the half-breeds called Creoles, who had some special rights. The group of Europeans included colonial officials and soldiers from the Danish motherland as well as English plantation owners and planters.

Sale to the United States

In 1917, the U.S. bought the island, along with Saint John and Saint Croix, for $25 million because of fears that German submarines might hide there and launch attacks against U.S. ships. There had also been a long economic decline. The US pursued a strategic goal with the purchase. They wanted to gain control over the Caribbean and the Panama Canal.

Saint Thomas served as a military base during World War II. Since 1954, the official status of the three islands has been established and a local Senate has been set up, dominated by Republicans and Democrats. In 1970, the American Virgin Islands were granted internal autonomy.

Present

Today, tourism is the most important economic factor. This is favored by relatively cheap airfares and a good connection of the Cyril E. King airport to the domestic American air network. Within the USA, only here in the Virgin Islands does left-hand traffic prevail. However, the vehicles all have left-hand drive. The road network is well developed. In recent decades, Saint Thomas has had to cope with several natural disasters. Hurricane Hugo hit in 1989 and Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn in 1995.

Sea chart of the port of Saint Thomas (1884)

Climate

The climate is tropical and moderately humid. Due to the constantly blowing trade winds, moderate temperatures between 25 and 33 °C prevail throughout the year.