Christiansted

Christiansted, United States Virgin Islands
Christiansted, circa 2005
Country	U.S. Virgin Islands
Island	Saint Croix
Established	September 1, 1734
Population (2004)
- Total	3,000

Christiansted is a town on Saint Croix, one of the main islands composing the United States Virgin Islands, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is the former capital of the Danish West Indies and home to the Christiansted National Historic Site. Christiansted as of 2004, has 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].Christiansted 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 European charm. 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 originally settlements for free blacks, extends inland and uphill from the commercial area.

The town has several 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.

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

Christiansted, looking northeast.

Christiansted, looking westward.

Fort Christiansværn in the 1930ies.

An 1836 plan of Fort Christiansværn, a historic building in Christiansted.

Company Street, The main shopping street Company St, December 1944.

Notable people

• Judah P. Benjamin, a Confederate politician and a seminal figure in the United States Civil War, was born in Christiansted while it was still a Danish colony.
• NBA player Tim Duncan is a native.
• Alexander Hamilton was once a resident.

References

• Lonely Planet's Cities Book: A Journey Through the Best Cities in the World p. 159.

External links

• Christiansted National Historic Site (National Park Service)

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Coordinates: 17°45′N 64°45′W / 17.75°N 64.75°W / 17.75; -64.75

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