Virgin Islands Statistics

Geography

Location

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

Coordinates

18 20 N, 64 50W

Area

total: 352 sq km
water: 3sq km
land: 349km

Comparative Area

Twice the size of Washington DC

Climate

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

Elevation Extremes

Lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
Highest point:
Crown Mountain 474 m

Natural Hazards

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

People

Population

124,778 (2003 est.)

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.)

Nationality

Virgin Islander/American

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%

Religions

Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%

Economy - Overview 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.

Labor Force

49,000

By Occupation

agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)

Budget

revenues: $364.4 million
expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital (1990 est.)

Industries

tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Unemployment Rate

4.9% (1999)

Government 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

Capital

Charlotte Amalie

National Holiday

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)

Constitution

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Legal System

based on US laws

Suffrage

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

Chief of State

President of the United States Barrack H. Obama, and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr..

Governor of Territory

Governor John P. deJongh, Jr

Legislature

unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

Judicial System

US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)

Note: The information for this section was provided by the CIA World Fact Book.

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