ARCHIVE // VI // 2015

Virgin Islands

2015 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 [time series]
total: 30,000 | percent of population: 28.1% (2009) | country comparison to the world: 195
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005)
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 (2010)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 76,100 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 80,300 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 74 (2005) | country comparison to the world: 195
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
5 (2006)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Budget [time series]
revenues: $1.223 billion | expenditures: $1.551 billion (2013)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-6.5% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 190
Debt - external [time series]
$NA
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Tourism, trade, and other services are the primary economic activities, accounting for nearly 60% of the Virgin Island's GDP and about half of total civilian employment. The islands host nearly 3 million tourists per year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms. The agriculture sector is small, with most food being imported. Industry and government each account for about one-fifth of GDP. Federal programs and grants, totaling $241.4 million in 2013, contributed 19.7% of the territory’s total revenues. The manufacturing sector consists of rum distilling, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. A refinery on St. Croix, one of the world’s largest, processed 350,000 barrels of crude oil a day until it was shut down in February 2012, after operating for 45 years. The economy declined in 2013, due to decreases in exports resulting from the loss of refined oil products. Nevertheless, the economy remains relatively diversified. Along with a vibrant tourism industry, rum exports, trade, and services will be major income sources in future years.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$2.627 billion (2013) | $3.339 billion (2012) | country comparison to the world: 136
Exports - commodities [time series]
rum
Fiscal year [time series]
1 October - 30 September
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$5.075 billion (2013)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$3.792 billion (2013 est.) | $4.143 billion (2012) | $4.288 billion (2011) | country comparison to the world: 178
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 63.6% | government consumption: 28% | investment in fixed assets: 6.1% | exports of goods and services: 69.3% | imports of goods and services: 69.3% (2013)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 2% | industry: 20% | services: 78% (2012 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$36,100 (2013 est.) | $39,300 (2012 est.) | $40,500 (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
-5.4% (2013 est.) | -13.8% (2012 est.) | -7.5% (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 220
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$2.694 billion (2013) | $3.056 billion (2012) | country comparison to the world: 153
Imports - commodities [time series]
foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Industries [time series]
tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
3.1% (2012) | country comparison to the world: 133
Labor force [time series]
50,580 (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 1% | industry: 19% | services: 80% (2003 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
28.9% (2002 est.)
Public debt [time series]
45.9% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 80
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
24.1% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 130
Unemployment rate [time series]
13% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 138
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
12.41 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Crude oil - imports [time series]
4,493 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Electricity - consumption [time series]
723.5 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 213
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 34
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 211
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 216
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
316,000 kW (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150
Electricity - production [time series]
777.9 million kWh (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 78
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 145
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 205
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
110,500 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
43,710 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
131,400 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
29,350 bbl/day (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 1,910 sq km | land: 346 sq km | water: 1,564 sq km | country comparison to the world: 182
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 (2011)
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 11.5% | arable land 2.9%; permanent crops 2.9%; permanent pasture 5.7% | forest: 57.4% | other: 31.1% (2011 est.)
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 flat 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 3 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)
Citizenship [time series]
see United States
Constitution [time series]
22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this territory of the US; revised 1962, 2000 (2015)
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands | conventional short form: Virgin Islands | former: Danish West Indies | abbreviation: USVI | note: the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)
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 Kenneth MAPP (since 5 January 2015), Lieutenant Governor Osbert POTTER (since 5 January 2015) | cabinet: Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate | elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of 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 directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held in November 2018) | election results: Kenneth MAPP elected governor; percent of vote in runoff - Kenneth MAPP (independent) 63.9%, Donna CHRISTIAN-CHRISTIANSEN (Democratic Party) 36.1%
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]
AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Judicial branch [time series]
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 (Territorial Court renamed in 2004); 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
Legal system [time series]
US common law
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral Senate (15 seats; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms) | elections: last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016) | election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA | note: the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 4 November 2014 (next to be held on 8 November 2016)
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]
The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, 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: 17.47% (male 9,124/female 8,966) | 15-24 years: 9.87% (male 4,642/female 5,576) | 25-54 years: 38.71% (male 18,103/female 21,994) | 55-64 years: 14.49% (male 7,194/female 7,819) | 65 years and over: 19.46% (male 9,110/female 11,046) (2015 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
10.31 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 189
Death rate [time series]
8.54 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 61.2% | youth dependency ratio: 32.8% | elderly dependency ratio: 28.4% | potential support ratio: 3.5% (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
black 76%, white 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1% | note: 17.4% self-identify as latino (2010 est.)
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: 6.64 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 7.35 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 5.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162
Languages [time series]
English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 79.89 years | male: 76.84 years | female: 83.11 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41
Major urban areas - population [time series]
CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) 52,000 (2014)
Median age [time series]
total: 44.9 years | male: 45.2 years | female: 44.7 years (2015 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) | adjective: Virgin Islander
Net migration rate [time series]
-7.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Population [time series]
103,574 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.59% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 226
Religions [time series]
Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 96.4% of population | rural: 96.4% of population | total: 96.4% of population | urban: 3.6% of population | rural: 3.6% of population | total: 3.6% of population (2015 est.)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 0.83 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female | total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.74 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 167
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 95.3% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.25% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
2 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 207
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 2 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay
Roadways [time series]
total: 1,260 km (2008) | country comparison to the world: 181