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The United
States Virgin Islands
Background:
The U.S. Virgin Islands is an
unincorporated territory of the
United States. We became a part
of the United States in 1917
when the U.S. purchased the
islands from Denmark for $25
Million.
We are located in the Eastern
Caribbean Sea, fifty miles to
the east of Puerto Rico. Our
three main islands are St.
Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
St. Thomas is the location of
the islands' capital, Charlotte
Amalie. Charlotte Amalie is also
the location of our world famous
cruise ship harbor. St. Croix is
the largest of the three
islands. St. John is the most
pristine of the islands as most
of it has been designated a
national park.
Government
Local government consists of a
governor and a 15 member senate.
We elect a delegate to Congress,
who has limited voting rights.
And, while Virgin Islanders are
United States citizens, they
cannot vote for president of the
United States.
Court System:
Judicial power is vested in the
District Court of the Virgin
Islands and in the local
Superior Court (formerly the
Territorial Court) and Supreme
Court. The Supreme Court hears
appeals from the Superior court.
The Third Circuit Court of
Appeals, located in
Philadelphia, has appellate
review over matters from both
the District Court and the
Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme
Court has final review from the
District Court and the Supreme
Court of the Virgin Islands.
For additional information, you
may wish to visit the following
websites:
USVI Government
District Court of the Virgin
Islands
Supreme Court of the Virgin
Islands
Superior Court of the Virgin
Islands
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