St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands
St. Croix has flown the flags of Spain, The Netherlands, England, France, the Knights of Malta and Denmark. On the island’s northern shore, Christiansted—once capital of the Danish West Indies—features 18th-century butter-colored, red-roofed buildings and quaint stone streets. Frederiksted, its twin city to the west, boasts a fort that once protected the island from pirates and rival nations. Between them, the ruins of hundreds of sugar and cattle estates dot the landscape, one of which today houses a botanical garden and restored buildings. At the island’s tip stands Point Udall and its signature sundial monument, marking the easternmost point in the United States. But St. Croix is not only about history. We’re also known for our gorgeous beaches, world-class recreational activities, fine dining, resorts, casinos and golf courses. Plus, you’ll discover our unique take on arts, crafts, music, festivals and cultural events.
Panama
Panama, country of Central America located on the Isthmus of Panama, the narrow bridge of land that connects North and South America. Embracing the isthmus and more than 1,600 islands off its Atlantic and Pacific coasts, the tropical nation is renowned as the site of the Panama Canal, which cuts through its midsection. It is equally well known for its natural beauty, for its diverse plant and animal life, including hundreds of bird and tree species, and for its vibrant music and culture. The home of several Native American peoples, such as the Guaymí, Kuna, and Chocó, Panama became the first Spanish colony on the Pacific. Celebrated as “the door to the seas and key to the universe,” it served in the 1530s as the staging point for the Spanish conquest of the Inca empire, and until the 19th century it was a transshipment point for gold and silver destined for Spain. With the independence of Colombia, which once controlled Panama, from Spain, Panama came to serve as another staging point, this time for oceangoing migrants to the gold fields of California.
