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St.
Thomas
( pop 51,000) lies about 75 miles east of
Puerto Rico at 18° north, 40 miles north of St Croix. 13
miles long and less than three miles wide, with an area of
32 square miles, St Thomas rises out of the sea to a range
of hills that runs down its spine. The highest peak, Crown
Mountain, is 1,550 feet, but on St Peter Mountain, 1,500
feet, is a viewpoint at Mountain Top. Various scenic roads
can be driven, such as Skyline Drive (Route 40), from
which both sides of the island can be seen simultaneously.
This road continues west as St Peter Mountain Road, with a
detour to Hull Bay on the north coast. Route 35, Mafolie
Road, leaves the capital, Charlotte Amalie, heading north
to cross the Skyline Drive and becomes Magens Bay Road,
descending to the beautiful bay described below. It should
be said that much of the island has been built upon,
especially on its east half. |
