Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve

Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Map showing the location of Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
Location St. Croix, Virgin Islands, USA
Nearest city Christiansted, Virgin Islands
Coordinates 17°46′44″N 64°45′32″W / 17.77889°N 64.75889°W / 17.77889; -64.75889Coordinates: 17°46′44″N 64°45′32″W / 17.77889°N 64.75889°W / 17.77889; -64.75889
Area 945.77 acres (3.83 km2)
Established February 24, 1992
Governing body National Park Service &
U.S. Virgin Islands Gov't
Historical marker

Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve on the Virgin Island of St. Croix, contains the only known site where members of a Columbus expedition set foot on what is now United States territory. It also preserves upland watersheds, mangrove forests, and estuarine and marine environments that support threatened and endangered species. The site is marked by Fort Salé, a remaining earthworks fortification from the French period of occupation, about 1617. The park also preserves prehistoric and colonial-era archeological sites including the only existent example of a ball court in the Caribbean.

Overview of Salt River Bay and Landing Site

The area's blend of sea and land holds some of the largest remaining mangrove forests in the Virgin Islands, as well as coral reefs and a submarine canyon. Salt River Bay's natural history, its vitally important ecosystem of mangroves, estuary, coral reefs, and submarine canyon, has witnessed thousands of years of human endeavor. Every major period of human habitation in the Virgin Islands is represented: several South American Indian cultures, the 1493 encounter with Columbus, Spanish extermination of the Caribs, attempts at colonization by a succession of European nations, and enslaved West Africans and their descendants. More than a dozen major archeological investigations since 1880, together with historical research, reveal a remarkable story.

On February 24, 1992 Congress created the park, under cooperative management of the National Park Service and Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States jointly manage this park. As an historic area of the National Park Service, the park was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places on the same day. The Columbus landing site had already been designated a National Historic Landmark on October 9, 1960.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Columbus Landing Site". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=557&ResourceType=Site. Retrieved 2007-06-28. 

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • National Historical Park — Der Glockenturm auf der Independence Hall, in dem früher die Liberty Bell hing (Independence National Historical Park) Als National Historical Park werden in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika Einrichtungen oder Orte ausgewiesen, die als… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Salt River — may refer to:;United States *The Salt River (Arizona) *The Salt River (Kentucky) *Salt River (Michigan), two rivers *The Salt River (Missouri) *The Salt River (United States Virgin Islands) **Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological …   Wikipedia

  • National Park Service — Logo du National Park Service Création 25 août 1916 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in the United States Virgin Islands — Map of the United States Virgin Islands This is a list of the buildings, sites, districts, and objects listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States Virgin Islands. There are currently 86 listed sites spread across 16 of …   Wikipedia

  • National Preserve — Little River Canyon National Preserve National Preserves sind Gebiete in den Vereinigten Staaten, die vom Kongress als Naturschutzgebiete ausgewiesen wurden. Sie werden zumeist vom National Park Service verwaltet. Ausnahmen sind die Valles… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • List of areas in the United States National Park System — National Park Service logo. The National Park System of the United States is the collection of physical properties owned or administered by the National Park Service. This includes all areas designated National Parks and most National Monuments,… …   Wikipedia

  • List of the United States National Park System official units — The Official Units of the National Park System of the United States is the collection of physical properties owned or administered by the National Park Service. As of 2011, there are 397 official units of the National Park System. However, this… …   Wikipedia

  • Christiansted National Historic Site — IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape) …   Wikipedia

  • Cruz Bay, United States Virgin Islands — Cruz Bay Harbor. Cruz Bay is the main town on the island of Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands. According to the 2000 Census, Cruz Bay has a population of 2,743 people. Cruz Bay, located on the west coast of Saint John, is the island… …   Wikipedia

  • List of United States National Historic Landmarks in United States commonwealths and territories, associated states, and foreign states — This is a List of National Historic Landmarks in U.S. commonwealths and territories, associated states, and foreign states.Included are lists of National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) and of National Park Service administered areas in U.S.… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”