World Facts Index > Virgin Islands > St John, St Thomas
During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one
English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by 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 of the the Virgin Islands
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Location:
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Caribbean, islands between
the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
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Coordinates:
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18 20 N, 64 50 W |
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Area:
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total: 352 sq km
water: 3 sq km
land: 349 sq km |
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Area comparative:
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twice the size of
Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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188 km |
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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subtropical, tempered by
easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal
temperature variation; rainy season May to November |
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Terrain:
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mostly hilly to rugged and
mountainous with little level land |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m |
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Natural resources:
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sun, sand, sea, surf |
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Natural hazards:
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several hurricanes in
recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional
earthquakes |
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Environment current issues:
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lack of natural freshwater
resources |
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Geography - note:
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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
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Population of the Virgin Islands
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Population:
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109,840 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949)
65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780) |
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Median age:
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37.1 years |
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Growth rate:
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-0.12% |
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Infant mortality:
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7.86 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 79.05 years
male: 75.24 years
female: 83.09 years |
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Fertility rate:
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2.17 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: Virgin Islander |
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Ethnic groups:
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black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed
3.5% |
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Religions:
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Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other
7% |
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Languages:
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English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or
French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90-95% est. |
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: United
States Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies |
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Dependency status:
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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:
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Charlotte Amalie |
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Administrative divisions:
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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 |
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National holiday:
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Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27
March (1917) |
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Constitution:
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Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 |
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Legal system:
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based on US laws |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal; note - island
residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President George W.
BUSH of the US
head of government: Governor John DeJONGH
elections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such
as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president;
governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year
terms (eligible for a second term) |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by
popular vote to serve two-year terms) |
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Judicial branch:
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US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third
Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year
terms) |
Economy
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and
employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing
sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals,
and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at
Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported.
International business and financial services are small but growing components
of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial 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.
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GDP:
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$1.577 billion (2004 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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2% |
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GDP per capita:
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$14,500 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% |
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Inflation rate:
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2.2% |
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Labor force:
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43,980 |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% |
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Unemployment:
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6.2% |
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Industries:
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tourism, petroleum refining, watch
assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% |
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Agriculture:
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fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle |
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Exports:
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refined petroleum products |
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Export partners:
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US, Puerto Rico |
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Imports:
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crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods,
building materials |
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Import partners:
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US, Puerto Rico |
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Currency:
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US dollar (USD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |