Spanish Virgin Islands (in yellow)

The Spanish Virgin Islands are a group of islands just east of the main island of Puerto Rico. They are part of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Although United States territory, they are politically and culturally distinct from the Territory of the Virgin Islands of the United States (commonly called the U.S. Virgin Islands) which lies to the east of the Spanish Virgin Islands. As part of Puerto Rico, they formerly belonged to Spain, and Spanish remains the predominant language. National motto: United in Pride and Hope Official language English Capital Charlotte Amalie Governor Charles Wesley Turnbull Area  - Total  - % water Ranked N/A 352 km² 1% Population  - Total (2003)  - Density Ranked N/A 124,778 (July 2003 est. ...

As Puerto Rican islands, they are often not labeled as part of the Virgin Islands archipelago. However, they are geographically closer to St. Thomas than St. Thomas is to St. Croix, both part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The term "Spanish Virgin Islands" is common in Puerto Rican tourist literature. Saint Thomas is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States. ... Saint Croix from space, January 1993 Saint Croix is an island in the Caribbean Sea and a constituent of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI), an unincorporated territory of the United States. ...

The principle islands of the group are Culebra and Vieques, with multiple associated smaller islands and islets. Many of the smaller islands are part of Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Much of Vieques is part of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, formerly a U.S. Navy facility. Isla Culebra (Snake Island) is an island-municipality of Puerto Rico originally called Isla Pasaje and Isla de San Idelfonso. ... Playa del Corcho (Corcho Beach) Nickname: Isla Nena (Baby Girl Island) Official website: http://www. ...