<human>:  What is the history of the Virgin Islands?
<bot>: The Virgin Islands are a Caribbean archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea and are a complex mix of cultures and geography. The islands have a long history of colonization, beginning with Christopher Columbus who claimed the Virgin Islands for Spain in 1493. The Spanish controlled the islands for over a hundred years, until the arrival of the English in 1664. The islands then changed hands multiple times over the years, eventually from a Danish to a US rule in 1917. The US Virgin Islands celebrated 100 years of US rule in 2017. Throughout the centuries, the islands have been home to many cultures and populations, including Dutch, English, African, French, Indian, Danish, Spanish and indigenous native populations. Each culture has left its mark on the Virgin Islands, contributing to the vibrant culture which can be found there today.