1989 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1989 (Internet Archive)
Geography
Administrative divisions
none (territory of the US)
Capital
Charlotte Amalie
Constitution
Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 serves as the constitution
Diplomatic representation
none (territory of the US)
Elections
Governor — last held N A 1 986 (next to be held NA 1990); results— Alexander Farrelly (Democratic Party) defeated Adelbert Bryan (ICM); Virgin Islands (continued) Senate— last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held NA); results — percent of vote by party NA; seats — (15 total) number of seats by party NA; US House of Representatives — last held 8 November 1988 (next to be held 6 November 1990); results — the Virgin Islands elects one nonvoting representative
Executive branch
US president, governor, lieutenant governor
Flag
white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and /; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel
Independence
none (territory of the US)
Judicial branch
US District Court handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 1 5 years of age and over), and federal cases; Territorial Court handles civil matters up to $50,000 small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases
Leaders
Chief of State and Head of Government— President George BUSH (since 20 January 1989), represented by Governor Alexander FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek HODGE (since 5 January 1987) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Marilyn Stapleton; Independent Citizens' Movement (ICM), Virdin Brown; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole Davis
Legal system
based on US
Legislative branch
unicameral Senate
National holiday
Transfer Day (from Denmark to US), 31 March (1917)
Suffrage
universal at age 1 8; indigenous inhabitants are US citizens, but do not vote in US presidential elections
Total area
2000 km North Atlantic Ocean , Hawanai • Islands S*f rrfionilmiptl
Type
organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Economy
Agriculture
truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle
Aid
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (197087), $33.5 million
Budget
revenues $3 1 5 million; expenditures $322 million, including capital expenditures of NA (FY88)
Currency
US currency is used
Electricity
341,000 kW capacity; 507 million kWh produced, 4,650 kWh per capita (1989)
Exchange rates
US currency is used
Exports
$3.4 billion (f.o.b., 1985); commodities— refined petroleum products; partners — US, Puerto Rico
External debt
SNA
Fiscal year
1 October-30 September
GDP
$1.03 billion, per capita $9,030; real growth rate NA% (1985)
Imports
$3.7 billion (c.i.f., 1985); commodities— crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials; partners — US, Puerto Rico
Industrial production
growth rate 12%
Industries
tourism, government service, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, Pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
NA%
Overview
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small with most food imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. The world's largest petroleum refinery is at St. Croix.
Unemployment rate
3.5% (1987)