Introduction

Background: |  |
`During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848.`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`18 20 N, 64 50 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 1,910 sq km country comparison to the world: 181 land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`twice the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`188 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November`
Terrain: |  |
`mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`sun, sand, sea, surf`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`NA`
Natural hazards: |  |
`several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`lack of natural freshwater resources`
Geography - note: |  |
`important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean`

People

Population: |  |
`109,666 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 187`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 19.5% (male 10,886/female 10,470) 15-64 years: 65.2% (male 33,280/female 38,210) 65 years and over: 15.3% (male 7,626/female 9,194) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 40.4 years male: 39.9 years female: 40.8 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`-0.08% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 204`
Birth rate: |  |
`11.41 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 171`
Death rate: |  |
`7.17 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 127`
Net migration rate: |  |
`-5.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 192`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 95% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) 54,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.058 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 7.24 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 165 male: 7.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 79.33 years country comparison to the world: 38 male: 76.29 years female: 82.55 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.8 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 154`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)`
Religions: |  |
`Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%`
Languages: |  |
`English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA female: NA (2005 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`NA`
Education expenditures: |  |
`NA`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI`
Dependency status: |  |
`organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior`
Government type: |  |
`NA`
Capital: |  |
`name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas`
Independence: |  |
`none (territory of the US)`
National holiday: |  |
`Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)`
Constitution: |  |
`Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954`
Legal system: |  |
`US common law`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)
cabinet: NA
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2014)
election results: John DeJONGH reelected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 56.3%, Kenneth MAPP 43.6%
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3
note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 2 November 2010 (next to be held on November 2012)
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`NA`
International organization participation: |  |
`IOC, UPU, WFTU`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`none (territory of the US)`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`none (territory of the US)`
Flag description: |  |
`white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in the left with a superimposed shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of purity, the letters stand for the Virgin Islands`
National anthem: |  |
`name: "Virgin Islands March" lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr. note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.4 million visitors in 2008. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, rum distilling, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$1.577 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 193`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$NA`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`2% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 147`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$14,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 79`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`49,820 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 190`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`6.2% (2004) country comparison to the world: 60`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`28.9% (2002)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $837 million expenditures: $837 million (FY08/09)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`2.2% (2003) country comparison to the world: 56`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`776.4 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`722 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`16,870 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`88,820 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81`
Oil - exports: |  |
`388,000 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 32`
Oil - imports: |  |
`480,600 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 26`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 199`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 135`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201`
Exports: |  |
`$4.234 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 115`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`refined petroleum products`
Imports: |  |
`$4.609 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 122`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials`
Debt - external: |  |
`$NA`
Exchange rates: |  |
`the US dollar is used`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`75,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 151`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`80,300 (2005) country comparison to the world: 190`
Telephone system: |  |
`general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA`
Broadcast media: |  |
`about a dozen television broadcast stations including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; 24 radio stations broadcasting (2009)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.vi`
Internet hosts: |  |
`8,933 (2010) country comparison to the world: 129`
Internet users: |  |
`30,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 180`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`2 (2010) country comparison to the world: 207`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 1,260 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 179`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay`

Military

Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 17,542 females age 16-49: 20,946 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 744 female: 788 (2010 est.)`
Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of the US`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 25, 2011