Central America and Caribbean :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- ## Introduction :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- 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.

- ## Geography :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- 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
  land: 346 sq km
  water: 1,564 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 182
  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 flat land
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
  highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
  Natural resources:
  sun, sand, sea, surf
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 11.5%
  arable land 2.9%; permanent crops 2.9%; permanent pasture 5.7%
  forest: 57.4%
  other: 31.1% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  1 sq km (2011)
  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 and Society :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Nationality:
  noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
  adjective: Virgin Islander
  Ethnic groups:
  black 76%, white 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1%
  note: 17.4% self-identify as latino (2010 est.)
  Languages:
  English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)
  Religions:
  Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%
  Population:
  103,574 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 17.47% (male 9,124/female 8,966)
  15-24 years: 9.87% (male 4,642/female 5,576)
  25-54 years: 38.71% (male 18,103/female 21,994)
  55-64 years: 14.49% (male 7,194/female 7,819)
  65 years and over: 19.46% (male 9,110/female 11,046) (2015 est.)
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 61.2%
  youth dependency ratio: 32.8%
  elderly dependency ratio: 28.4%
  potential support ratio: 3.5% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 44.2 years
  male: 44.5 years
  female: 44 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  -0.59% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 224
  Birth rate:
  10.31 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 184
  Death rate:
  8.54 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  Net migration rate:
  -7.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 95.3% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 0.25% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) 52,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 6.64 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 79.89 years
  male: 76.84 years
  female: 83.11 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 40
  Total fertility rate:
  1.74 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 100% of population
  rural: 100% of population
  total: 100% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 0% of population
  rural: 0% of population
  total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 96.4% of population
  rural: 96.4% of population
  total: 96.4% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 3.6% of population
  rural: 3.6% of population
  total: 3.6% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA

- ## Government :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- 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 3 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:
  22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this territory of the US (2013)
  Legal system:
  US common law
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal; note - 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 Kenneth MAPP (since 5 January 2015), Lieutenant Governor Osbert POTTER (since 5 January 2015)
  cabinet: Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
  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 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018)
  election results: Kenneth MAPP elected governor; percent of vote in runoff - Kenneth MAPP (independent) 63.9%, Donna CHRISTIAN-CHRISTIANSEN (Democratic Party) 36.1%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms)
  elections: last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on November 2016)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
  note: the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on November 2016)
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); note - court established by 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 initially serve renewable 10-year terms; 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
  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:
  AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
  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 :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Economy - overview:
  Tourism, trade, and other services are the primary economic activities, accounting for nearly 60% of the Virgin Island's GDP and about half of total civilian employment. The islands host nearly 3 million tourists per year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms. The agriculture sector is small, with most food being imported. Industry and government each account for about one-fifth of GDP. Federal programs and grants, totaling $241.4 million in 2013, contributed 19.7% of the territory’s total revenues. The manufacturing sector consists of rum distilling, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. A refinery on St. Croix, one of the world’s largest, processed 350,000 barrels of crude oil a day until it was shut down in February 2012, after operating for 45 years. The economy declined in 2013, due to decreases in exports resulting from the loss of refined oil products. Nevertheless, the economy remains relatively diversified. Along with a vibrant tourism industry, rum exports, trade, and services will be major income sources in future years.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $3.792 billion (2013 est.)
  $4.143 billion (2012)
  $4.288 billion (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $5.075 billion (2013)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  -5.4% (2013 est.)
  -13.8% (2012)
  -7.5% (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $36,100 (2013 est.)
  $39,300 (2012)
  $40,500 (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 105
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 63.6%
  government consumption: 28%
  investment in fixed assets: 6.1%
  exports of goods and services: 69.3%
  imports of goods and services: 69.3% (2013)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 2%
  industry: 20%
  services: 78% (2012 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
  Industries:
  tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
  Industrial production growth rate:
  NA%
  Labor force:
  50,580 (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 193
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 1%
  industry: 19%
  services: 80% (2003 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  13% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Population below poverty line:
  28.9% (2002 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA%
  highest 10%: NA%
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.223 billion
  expenditures: $1.551 billion (2013)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  24.1% of GDP (2013)
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  NA%
  Public debt:
  45.9% of GDP (2014)
  Fiscal year:
  1 October - 30 September
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  3.1% (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Exports:
  $2.627 billion (2013)
  $3.339 billion (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Exports - commodities:
  rum
  Imports:
  $2.694 billion (2013)
  $3.056 billion (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Imports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
  Debt - external:
  $NA
  Exchange rates:
  the US dollar is used

- ## Energy :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Electricity - production:
  707 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Electricity - consumption:
  739.6 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 212
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 215
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  323,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Crude oil - imports:
  402,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 205
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  423,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 37
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  62,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  316,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  5,732 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 205
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  12.41 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97

- ## Communications :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 76,100
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 80,300
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 74 (2005)
  country comparison to the world: 195
  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 (2010)
  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)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005)
  Television broadcast stations:
  5 (2006)
  Internet country code:
  .vi
  Internet users:
  total: 30,000
  percent of population: 28.1% (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 195

- ## Transportation :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Airports:
  2 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 207
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 2
  over 3,047 m: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 1,260 km (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay

- ## Military :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- 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 :: VIRGIN ISLANDS

- Disputes - international:
  none