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Virgin Islands Flag
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White,
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 one talon and three arrows
in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and
white stripes below a blue panel. |
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Geography |
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Location |
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
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Coordinates |
18 20 N, 64 50W |
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Area |
total:
352 sq km
water: 3sq km
land: 349km |
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Comparative Area |
Twice the size of Washington DC |
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Climate |
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively
low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy
season May to November. |
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Elevation Extremes |
Lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Highest point:
Crown Mountain 474 m |
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Natural Hazards |
Several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe
droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes.
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People |
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Population |
124,778 (2003 est.) |
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Age Structure |
0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157)
65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003
est.) |
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Nationality |
Virgin Islander/American |
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Ethnic Groups |
black 78%, white 10%, other 12%
note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and
32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%,
Puerto Rican 4%, other 2% |
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Religions |
Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% |
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Economy -
Overview |
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Tourism is the primary
economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and
70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million
visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of
petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals,
and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with
most food being imported. International business and
financial services are a small but growing component of the
economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is
at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial
damage from storms. The government is working to improve
fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the
private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and
protect the environment. |
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Labor Force |
49,000 |
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By Occupation |
agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)
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Budget |
revenues:
$364.4 million
expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital (1990
est.) |
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Industries |
tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,
construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
|
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Unemployment Rate |
4.9% (1999) |
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Government |
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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 |
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Capital |
Charlotte Amalie |
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National Holiday |
Transfer Day (from Denmark to
the US), 27 March (1917) |
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Constitution |
Revised Organic Act of 22
July 1954 |
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Legal System |
based on US laws |
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Suffrage |
18 years of age; universal;
note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not
vote in US presidential elections |
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Chief of State |
President of the United States Barrack H. Obama, and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.. |
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Governor of Territory |
Governor John P. deJongh, Jr |
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Legislature |
unicameral Senate (15 seats;
members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) |
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Judicial System |
US District Court of the
Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction);
Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for
10-year terms) |
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