As part of the Virgin Islands archipelago, the U.S. Virgin Islands are a group of islands consisting of the main islands, Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas. There are many smaller islands, and the total population of the islands put together exceeds 100,000 people.

Christopher Columbus’s second voyage included the discovery and naming of the Virgin Islands in 1493, which he named after Saint Ursula and her followers. Over the next hundred years, the islands changed hands several times between many European powers. By the middle of the 18th century, the islands were property of the Danish, who focused on the production of sugarcane aided by slave labor to fuel the economy of the islands. World War I made the Virgin Islands vulnerable and exposed, something which the United States feared the Germans would exploit in order to take over the islands and build a base there. Thus, they purchased them from the Danish for $25 million after months of negotiation. Since 1917, the Virgin Islands have remained a territory of the United States whose inhabitants are American citizens.

Located in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Virgin Islands consist of several dozen islands. Known for strategic harbors and white sandy beaches, the Virgin Islands are hilly and volcanic in origin. A subtropical climate classification means that the Virgin Islands have little temperature fluctuation throughout the year, low humidity, and a rainy season which lasts from May to November.

Tourism is the main driving force behind the economy of the Virgin Islands with over 2 million visitors arriving each year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. Visitors to the Virgin Islands can enjoy the distinct culture, as well as the pristine beaches and a growing resort industry. There is a manufacturing sector as well as a small agricultural sector that comprise the rest of the Virgin Islands’ economy.

A small island nation, Singapore is well-known for its status as the only remaining city-state in the entire world. As a primarily English-speaking country, Singapore is a popular tourist destination among Americans and others alike, who visit the country for various reasons.

After juggling back and forth between several different countries as a colony, Singapore finally gained independence in 1963, and ongoing efforts since then have raised the standard of living, curbed unemployment, developed the economic infrastructure, and reduced racial tension. Today, Singapore focuses on building up the economy; for example, the current prime minister decided to open casinos that would attract tourists to the country.

Singapore is composed of 63 islands covering a comparatively small area, but ongoing land reclamation processes promise to increase land area as well as to fuse together separate islands to create larger, more functional areas. A tropical rainforest climate classification means that Singapore has no distinct seasons, a uniform temperature usually around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and high humidity. June and July are the hottest months, while November and December make up the rainy monsoon season.

With an economy focused heavily on trade, business, and tourism, Singapore is a financially successful country with a good standard of living. The majority religion is Buddhism, with a strong Christian, Islamic, and Taoist minority. While the national language of Singapore is Malay, it is mostly for historical reasons, and the most frequently used language is English. As far as dialects are concerned, Singaporean English mixes local language influences and English to produce a distinct variety of the language.

Singaporeans are active sportsmen and sportswomen, participating in a variety of physical activities, ranging from football to cricket. Golf continues to gain popularity in Singapore as well.

Spread out over an archipelago consisting of 322 islands and 522 islets, Fiji is regardless a rather small country with a population of almost one million people. Highly dependent on tourism, Fiji offers beautiful islands scenery and rich culture.

Out of all the islands that Fiji contains, only 106 are inhabited, and 87% of the population is contained the two major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Leva. The two main islands are mountainous, with peaks rising to almost 4,500 feet. These peaks protect the tropical forests and create a dry season on the lowlands, allowing sugarcane to grow more favorably.

A tropical climate creates a warm climate all year round, allowing for consistent growing season and crops that favor that type of weather. There is only a slight seasonal variation in temperature, but nothing drastic enough to separate the times of the year into different categories.

The economy takes advantage of high mineral, fish, and forest resources in order to create a more developed system, but there is still subsistence living. Growing steadily and cautiously, the economy today is dependant on the sugar crop and tourism. Fiji exports sugar and the number of yearly tourists continues to grow, which are two ways that the nation interacts with foreign countries.

Most of the population of Fiji is native to the islands. Native Fijians are overwhelmingly Christian, while Indo-Fijians are Hindu and Muslim. Fiji’s culture is made up of rich indigenous traditions that influence daily life for the majority of the residents. Indian, Chinese, and European traditions also influence Fiji, creating a mosaic of the different cultures. The official language is English, but plenty of other dialects and languages exist.

Rugby is the national sport of Fiji, with a rugby union and a rugby league. Given the size of the country, the rugby team is actually very successful. The European influence also brings minor attention to other sports.