2012 Edition

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.

Area

1,910 sq km 346 sq km 1,564 sq km

total

1,910 sq km

water

1,564 sq km

Area - comparative

twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

Coastline

188 km

Elevation extremes

Caribbean Sea 0 m Crown Mountain 474 m

highest point

Crown Mountain 474 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

lack of natural freshwater resources

Geographic coordinates

18 20 N, 64 50 W

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

Irrigated land

1 sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

5.71% 2.86% 91.43% (2005)

arable land

5.71%

other

91.43% (2005)

permanent crops

2.86%

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Natural resources

sun, sand, sea, surf

Terrain

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

Age structure

18.7% (male 9,956/ female 9,701) 64.5% (male 31,265/ female 36,635) 16.8% (male 8,035/ female 9,683) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

18.7% (male 9,956/ female 9,701)

15-64 years

64.5% (male 31,265/ female 36,635)

65 years and over

16.8% (male 8,035/ female 9,683) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

10.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

7.7 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

7.1 deaths/1,000 live births 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

7.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth

79.47 years 76.43 years 82.69 years (2012 est.)

female

82.69 years (2012 est.)

total population

79.47 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 90-95% est. NA NA (2005 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA (2005 est.)

male

NA

total population

90-95% est.

Major cities - population

CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) 54,000 (2009)

Median age

40.9 years 40.4 years 41.4 years (2012 est.)

female

41.4 years (2012 est.)

male

40.4 years

total

40.9 years

Nationality

Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) Virgin Islander

adjective

Virgin Islander

noun

Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)

Net migration rate

-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Population

105,275 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.5% (2012 est.)

Religions

Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.87 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.89 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

95% of total population (2010) -0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

95% of total population (2010)

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

Capital

Charlotte Amalie 18 21 N, 64 56 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 21 N, 64 56 W

name

Charlotte Amalie

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Country name

United States Virgin Islands Virgin Islands Danish West Indies USVI

abbreviation

USVI

conventional long form

United States Virgin Islands

conventional short form

Virgin Islands

former

Danish West Indies

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) NA 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) John DeJONGH reelected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 56.3%, Kenneth MAPP 43.6%

cabinet

NA

chief of state

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

election results

John DeJONGH reelected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 56.3%, Kenneth MAPP 43.6%

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)

head of government

Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)

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

Government type

NA

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

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)

Legal system

US common law

Legislative branch

unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3 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)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3

elections

last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012)

National anthem

"Virgin Islands March" multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr. adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

lyrics/music

multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr.

name

"Virgin Islands March"

National holiday

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Agriculture - products

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Budget

$837 million $837 million (FY08/09)

expenditures

$837 million (FY08/09)

revenues

$837 million

Debt - external

$NA

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.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used, 1 (2011)

Exports

$4.234 billion (2001)

Exports - commodities

refined petroleum products

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition by sector

1% 19% 80% (2003 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

19%

services

80% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2002 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.577 billion (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$4.609 billion (2001)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.2% (2003)

Labor force

49,820 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

1% 19% 80% (2003 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

19%

services

80% (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

28.9% (2002)

Unemployment rate

6.2% (2004)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

11.95 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

425,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

811 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

323,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

872 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

106,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

390,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,180 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

493,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

about a dozen TV broadcast stations including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; 24 radio stations (2009)

Internet country code

.vi

Internet hosts

4,790 (2012)

Internet users

30,000 (2009)

Telephone system

modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay full range of services available country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA

domestic

full range of services available

general assessment

modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

international

country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA

Telephones - main lines in use

75,800 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

80,300 (2005)

Airports

2 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

1

total

2

Ports and terminals

Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay

Roadways

1,260 km (2008)

total

1,260 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

17,542 20,946 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

20,946 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

17,542

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

788 (2010 est.)

female

788 (2010 est.)

male

744

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

none