ARCHIVE // VI // 2012

Virgin Islands

2012 Edition — territory

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
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 [time series]
.vi
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
4,790 (2012) country comparison to the world: 146
Internet users [time series]
30,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 181
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
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
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
75,800 (2010) country comparison to the world: 153
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
80,300 (2005) country comparison to the world: 196
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Budget [time series]
revenues: $837 million expenditures: $837 million (FY08/09)
Debt - external [time series]
$NA
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.4 million visitors in 2008. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, rum distilling, 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.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used, 1 (2011)
Exports [time series]
$4.234 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 122
Exports - commodities [time series]
refined petroleum products
Fiscal year [time series]
1 October - 30 September
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$NA
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$1.577 billion (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 195
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$14,500 (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
2% (2002 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$4.609 billion (2001) country comparison to the world: 134
Imports - commodities [time series]
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.2% (2003) country comparison to the world: 37
Labor force [time series]
49,820 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
28.9% (2002)
Unemployment rate [time series]
6.2% (2004) country comparison to the world: 61
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
11.95 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Crude oil - imports [time series]
425,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - consumption [time series]
811 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
323,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Electricity - production [time series]
872 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 147
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
106,100 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 78
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
390,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
5,180 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
493,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 32
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 1,910 sq km country comparison to the world: 182 land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
twice the size of Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Coastline [time series]
188 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
lack of natural freshwater resources
Geographic coordinates [time series]
18 20 N, 64 50 W
Geography - note [time series]
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
Irrigated land [time series]
1 sq km
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)
Location [time series]
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references [time series]
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Natural resources [time series]
sun, sand, sea, surf
Terrain [time series]
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
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
Capital [time series]
name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution [time series]
Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI
Dependency status [time series]
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
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Executive branch [time series]
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 theWorld Leaders website) 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%
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
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
Government type [time series]
NA
Independence [time series]
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation [time series]
IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Judicial branch [time series]
US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)
Legal system [time series]
US common law
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms) elections: last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012) 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 2 November 2010 (next to be held on November 2012)
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
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)
National holiday [time series]
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
NA
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Introduction
Background [time series]
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.
Military
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 17,542 females age 16-49: 20,946 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 744 female: 788 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 18.7% (male 9,956/ female 9,701) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 31,265/ female 36,635) 65 years and over: 16.8% (male 8,035/ female 9,683) (2012 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
10.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Death rate [time series]
7.7 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 162 male: 7.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Languages [time series]
English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 79.47 years country comparison to the world: 39 male: 76.43 years female: 82.69 years (2012 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA female: NA (2005 est.)
Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]
CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) 54,000 (2009)
Median age [time series]
total: 40.9 years male: 40.4 years female: 41.4 years (2012 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander
Net migration rate [time series]
-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Population [time series]
105,275 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
Religions [time series]
Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.78 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 95% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: -0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
2 (2012) country comparison to the world: 208
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay
Roadways [time series]
total: 1,260 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 179