Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into English and Dutch territorial units. Sugarcane, produced by African 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,910 sq km
country comparison to the world: 182
land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
188 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 2.86%
permanent crops: 2.86%
other: 94.29% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 sq km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lack of natural freshwater resources
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
104,737 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 18.2% (male 9,669/female 9,407)
15-24 years: 10.6% (male 5,075/female 6,063)
25-54 years: 39.3% (male 18,698/female 22,444)
55-64 years: 14.1% (male 7,036/female 7,750)
65 years and over: 17.8% (male 8,431/female 10,164) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 58.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 32.7 %
elderly dependency ratio: 25.3 %
potential support ratio: 3.9 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 43.5 years
male: 43.7 years
female: 43.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.53% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.69 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.95 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-8.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 95% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) 54,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 0.88 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6.94 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 163
male: 7.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 79.61 years
country comparison to the world: 40
male: 76.57 years
female: 82.83 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.77 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
78.4%
note: percent of women aged 18-44 (2002)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90-95% est.
male: NA
female: NA (2005 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
abbreviation: USVI
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this territory of the US (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US common law
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014)
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 6 November 2012 (next to be held on November 2014)
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 (renamed in 2004 vice the Territorial Court); 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Tourism, trade, and other services are the primary economic activities, accounting for roughly 57% of GDP and about half of total civilian employment in 2010. Goods-producing industries accounted for 23% of GDP in 2010 and government represented 20%. The islands hosted nearly 2.74 million visitors - 2.2 million cruise ship and 536,000 air passengers - in 2011. The manufacturing sector consists of rum distilling, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agriculture sector is small, with most food being imported. The islands are vulnerable to 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):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.577 billion (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2% (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14,500 (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
49,820 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.2% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 67
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28.9% (2002)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $837 million
expenditures: $837 million (FY08/09)
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 October - 30 September
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 49
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.234 billion (2001)
country comparison to the world: 117
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refined petroleum products
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.609 billion (2001)
country comparison to the world: 132
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US dollar is used
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
794 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
767.3 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
323,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,880 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
402,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 201
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
423,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
106,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
316,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,732 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 204
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.59 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
75,800 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 152
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
80,300 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 197
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.vi
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,790 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 146
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 181
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 207
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,260 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 17,542
females age 16-49: 20,946 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 744
female: 788 (2010 est.)
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the US