2019 Edition

Background

The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.

Area

Land

346 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

Highest Point

Crown Mountain 474 m

Lowest Point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment Current Issues

lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing

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 (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

11.5% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

2.9% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

2.9% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

5.7% (2011 est.)

Forest

57.4% (2011 est.)

Other

31.1% (2011 est.)

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

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

pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Population Distribution

while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

Terrain

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land

Age Structure

0 14 Years

20.26% (male 11,102 /female 10,570)

15 24 Years

10.87% (male 5,665 /female 5,965)

25 54 Years

36.87% (male 18,454 /female 20,987)

55 64 Years

13.92% (male 7,039 /female 7,851)

65 Years And Over

18.08% (male 8,802 /female 10,542) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

12.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

28 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

3.6 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

60.8 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

32.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

100% of population

Improved Total

100% of population

Improved Urban

100% of population

Unimproved Rural

0% of population

Unimproved Total

0% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0% of population

Ethnic Groups

black 76%, white 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1% (2010 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

6.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

8.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

7.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

83 years

Male

76.3 years

Total Population

79.5 years (2018 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus

Major Urban Areas Population

52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)

Median Age

Female

42.2 years

Male

40.1 years

Total

41.3 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Virgin Islander

Noun

Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)

Net Migration Rate

-7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Population

106,977 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-0.3% (2018 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation Facility Access

Improved Rural

96.4% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

96.4% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

96.4% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

3.6% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

3.6% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

3.6% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.05 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

0.95 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.88 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.83 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.06 male(s)/female

Total Population

0.91 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.06 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

0.1% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

95.8% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas

Capital

Geographic Coordinates

18 21 N, 64 56 W

Name

Charlotte Amalie

Time Difference

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

Citizenship

see United States

Constitution

Amendments

revised 1962, 2000 (2018)

History

22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory

Country Name

Abbreviation

VI

Conventional Long Form

none

Conventional Short Form

Virgin Islands

Etymology

the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

Former

Danish West Indies

Dependency Status

unincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the federal government 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

Cabinet

Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate

Chief Of State

President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)

Election Results

Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected governor in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah "Foncie" DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, other 11.9%; percent of vote in second round- Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, other .3%

Elections Appointments

president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of 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 directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2018 with a runoff on 20 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)

Head Of Government

Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019), Lieutenant Governor Tregenza ROACH (since 7 January 2019)

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

republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International Organization Participation

AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

Judicial Branch

Highest Courts

Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); note - court established by the US Congress in 2004 and assumed appellate jurisdiction in 2007

Judge Selection And Term Of Office

justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Virgin Islands Senate; justices serve initial 10-year terms and upon reconfirmation, during the extent of good behavior; chief justice elected to position by peers for a 3-year term

Subordinate Courts

Superior Court (Territorial Court renamed in 2004); US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court of the Virgin Islands; it is a territorial court and is not associated with a US federal judicial district); District Court of the Virgin Islands

Legal System

US common law

Legislative Branch

Description

unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands (15 seats; senators directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms) the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term

Election Results

Legislature of the Virgin Islands - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 13, independents 2; composition - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7% delegate to US House of Representatives - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition - 1 woman

Elections

Legislature of the Virgin Islands last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) US House of Representatives last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)

National Anthem

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 [Donna M. CHRISTENSEN] Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Dale BLYDEN] Republican Party [John CANEGATA]

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

Expenditures

1.518 billion (2016 est.)

Revenues

1.496 billion (2016 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-0.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Debt External

NA

Economy Overview

Tourism, trade, other services, and rum production are the primary economic activities of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), accounting for most of its GDP and employment. The USVI receives between 2.5 and 3 million tourists a year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms, as evidenced by the destruction from two major hurricanes in 2017. Recovery and rebuilding have continued, but full recovery from these back-to-back hurricanes is years away. The USVI government estimates it will need $7.5 billion, almost twice the territory’s GDP, to rebuild the territory.The agriculture sector is small and most food is imported. In 2016, government spending (both federal and territorial together) accounted for about 27% of GDP while exports of goods and services, including spending by tourists, accounted for nearly 47%. Federal programs and grants, including rum tax cover-over totaling $482.3 million in 2016, contributed 32.2% of the territory’s total revenues. The economy picked up 0.9% in 2016 and had appeared to be progressing before the 2017 hurricanes severely damaged the territory’s infrastructure and the economy.

Exchange Rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

2015

$1.537 billion

2016

$1.81 billion

Exports Commodities

rum

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

46.7% (2016 est.)

Government Consumption

26.8% (2016 est.)

Household Consumption

68.2% (2016 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-64.3% (2016 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

7.5% (2016 est.)

Investment In Inventories

15% NA (2016 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

2% (2012 est.)

Industry

20% (2012 est.)

Services

78% (2012 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$5.182 billion (2016 est.) (2016 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2014

$34,500

2015

$35,800

2016

$37,000

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2014

$3.622 billion

2015

$3.759 billion

2016

$3.872 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2014

-1%

2015

0.3%

2016

0.9%

Imports

2015

$1.549 billion

2016

$2.489 billion

Imports Commodities

foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Industries

tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2015

2.6%

2016

1%

Labor Force

48,550 (2016 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

1%

Industry

19%

Services

80% (2003 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

28.9% (2002 est.)

Public Debt

2014

45.9% of GDP

2016

53.3% of GDP

Taxes And Other Revenues

28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016

11%

2017

10.4%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

2.764 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

100% (2016)

Electricity Consumption

654.7 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

98% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

325,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

704 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

1,240 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

3,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

23,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 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

Internet Country Code

.vi

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

54.8% (July 2016 est.)

Total

57,000

Telephone System

Domestic

full range of services available; fixed-line 73 per 100 persons (2018)

General Assessment

modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expansion of FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development (2018)

International

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

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

73 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

76,000

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1 (2013)

Over 3 047 M

1 (2013)

Total

2 (2013)

Ports And Terminals

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

Roadways

1,260 km (2008)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes International

none