Tortola, with 54 square kilometers, is the largest of the 60 islands that make up the group of British Virgin Islands. This Caribbean island chain belongs to the Lesser Antilles and is located about 100 km east of Puerto Rico. Politically, the Virgin Islands are divided between the US-dependent American Virgin Islands (British Virgin Islands) and British Virgin Islands (British Virgin Islands) dependent on Great Britain. In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands, and in 1555 Spanish troops defeated the indigenous population and destroyed them in the coming decades. The British, who annexed the region in 1672, used the slavery-based sugar cane cultivation, so today 90% of the population is of Black African descent. With their hidden coves, the islands have long been a refuge for pirates and privateers. Most of the 14,000 inhabitants of Tortola Island live in the lively capital, Road Town, which has an airport.
Bilder zum Hafen Tortola, GB-Virgin Islands / Caribbean
Cruise offers to the port Tortola, GB-Virgin Islands / Caribbean
In Roadtown, "gingerbread style" wooden houses, imposing modern buildings with glass façades and cozy pubs characterize the varied cityscape. To the sea side extend the marinas and boat moorings, which give a beautiful scenery off the green mountains, the colorful houses and the turquoise blue sea. Main Street is the main shopping street of the city, with its old wooden and stone buildings retaining much of the original West Indian charm. Also the Virgin Islands Folk Museum is ohoused in a traditional West Indian building, displaying works of art from the Taino, plantation and slavery of the island. The North Shore Shell Museum in Carrot Bay offers shells, shell jewelery, traditional wooden boats and other local cultural items as exhibits and sales items. The Callwood Rum Distillery in an old plantation building at Cane Garden Bay has been producing its rum for over two centuries in a way that has hardly changed .
The main attraction of the island, however, are its picturesque beaches and most tourists come to Tortola for diving or sailing.
Which cruise lines and ships sail to Tortola, GB-Virgin Islands?
In which country / island is Tortola, GB-Virgin Islands located?
