Thatch Cay, U.S. Virgin Islands facts for kids
 Thatch Cay
Location in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Thatch Cay
Location in Lesser Antilles
Thatch Cay
Location in Caribbean
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Caribbean Sea |
| Coordinates | 18°21′32″N 64°51′22″W / 18.359°N 64.856°W |
| Archipelago | Virgin Islands, Leeward Islands |
| Area | 230 acres (93 ha) |
| Administration | |
| Insular area | Virgin Islands |
| Largest settlement | Charlotte Amalie (pop. 18,481) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 51,634 (2010) |
| Pop. density | 638.17 /km2 (1,652.85 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic, Caucasian |
Thatch Cay is a small, uninhabited 230 acre (931,000 m²) island one-half mile (0.8 kilometres) off the northeastern coast of Saint Thomas. Its highest peak is 482 feet (147 metres). It is one of the last privately held, undeveloped islands in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
History
The island is named after the Tyre palms, Coccothrinax alta, which are found in thick patches on the island and which slaves would use to make sacks and roofing for their buildings. From 1804, it was owned by the Reyck family of Denmark, which were the first inhabitants, and was home to a small plantation called "The Hope" which consisted of fourteen members of the family and two slaves. It is not known exactly when the family relinquished ownership of the island but it is thought to be around the time of purchase of almost the whole chain by the U.S. Government in 1917. In the mid 1900s a small fishing village consisting of 6 small structures was located on the island, as well as a small copper mine. Stone ruins of these structures can still be seen to this day. The cay has also historically been known for the Panulirus argus lobsters which are found around the island in large numbers.
See also
In Spanish: Cayo Thatch para niños
