Virgin Islands

An Alphabetical Heritage

The names Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands indeed do require some clarifications. The former is the original name given to the entire Archipelago by Christopher Columbus at the time of his historic landfall in 1493. However, the qualifying word British, which is added to Virgin Islands, could be viewed as an adaptation mainly to differentiate between the British Virgin Islands and United States Virgin Islands. In official and constitutional references, the term Virgin Islands is utilized exclusively. However, in other contexts, the terms British Virgin Islands and Virgin Islands are used interchangeably. The explanation of these differences should suffice at this stage. For further and more detailed information, each name should be reviewed under its particular alphabetical placement. The text is arranged generally in direct alphabetical order. The various alphabetical entries deal with a variety of information, except two categories, which are integral parts of the Culture and Heritage of the Virgin Islands. These are August Festival Celebrations and also Boatbuilding and Sailing Legacies. The direct alphabetical arrangement will facilitate the utilization of the text.