St. Croix is the largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at 84 sq mi/220 sq km. The Danish influence still lingers there. The two major towns on St. Croix, Christiansted and Frederiksted, are anchored by forts and historic buildings, and the countryside around them is dotted with deserted sugar mills and plantation houses. Neighborhood names such as Sally's Fancy, All for the Better, Wheel of Fortune and William's Delight are the legacy of those plantation days.
But a rich history is not all St. Croix has going for it. Its landscape of rolling green hills, cattle farms and rain forest is sprinkled with wildlife refuges, golf courses and several large parks, including one that's partly underwater.
The U.S. Virgin Islands sustained severe damage during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. St. Croix has shown great resiliency after the storms, even as it benefitted from far-sighted building codes that reduced potential destruction. Most beaches, attractions, restaurants and resorts have reopened, many emerging from renovation projects even better than before. These have also been strengthened so that they can better withstand future storms.
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