Virgin Islands

about a dozen TV broadcast stations including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; 24 radio stations

.vi

total: 68,268 (2019 est.) percent of population: 64% (2019 est.)

general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expansion of FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development and expansion in several markets point to investment and focus on data (2020) domestic: fixed-line 75 per 100 persons, with mobile-cellular 77 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 1-340; landing points for the BSCS, St Thomas-ST Croix System, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas II, GCN, MAC, PAN-AM and SAC submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA (2020) note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

total subscriptions: 76,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2020 est.)

total subscriptions: 59,121 (2018) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 204.5 (2019)

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

revenues: 1.496 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: 1.518 billion (2016 est.)

-0.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

NA

Tourism, trade, other services, and rum production are the primary economic activities of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), accounting for most of its GDP and employment. The USVI receives between 2.5 and 3 million tourists a year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms, as evidenced by the destruction from two major hurricanes in 2017. Recovery and rebuilding have continued, but full recovery from these back-to-back hurricanes is years away. The USVI government estimates it will need $7.5 billion, almost twice the territory s GDP, to rebuild the territory. The agriculture sector is small and most food is imported. In 2016, government spending (both federal and territorial together) accounted for about 27% of GDP while exports of goods and services, including spending by tourists, accounted for nearly 47%. Federal programs and grants, including rum tax cover-over totaling $482.3 million in 2016, contributed 32.2% of the territory s total revenues. The economy picked up 0.9% in 2016 and had appeared to be progressing before the 2017 hurricanes severely damaged the territory s infrastructure and the economy.

the US dollar is used

$1.81 billion (2016 est.) $1.537 billion (2015 est.)

refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)

Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)

1 October - 30 September

$5.182 billion (2016 est.)

household consumption: 68.2% (2016 est.) government consumption: 26.8% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 15% (2016 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture: 2% (2012 est.) industry: 20% (2012 est.) services: 78% (2012 est.)

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

$2.489 billion (2016 est.) $1.549 billion (2015 est.)

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019)

India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)

NA

tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics

1% (2016 est.) 2.6% (2015 est.)

48,550 (2016 est.)

agriculture: 1% industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.)

28.9% (2002 est.)

53.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 45.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

$3.872 billion (2016 est.) $3.759 billion (2015 est.) $3.622 billion (2014 est.) note: data are in 2013 dollars

0.9% (2016 est.) 0.3% (2015 est.) -1% (2014 est.)

$37,000 (2016 est.) $35,800 (2015 est.) $34,500 (2014 est.)

28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

10.4% (2017 est.) 11% (2016 est.)

2.438 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.438 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

installed generating capacity: 321,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 561.24 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 51 million kWh (2019 est.)

electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

fossil fuels: 98.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 16,400 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)

3,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)

23,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

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

lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing

agricultural land: 11.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 5.7% (2018 est.) forest: 57.4% (2018 est.) other: 31.1% (2018 est.)

forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

urban population: 96.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 146,500 tons (2012 est.)

total: 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km

twice the size of Washington, DC

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

188 km

highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

18 20 N, 64 50 W

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

1 sq km (2012)

total: 0 km

agricultural land: 11.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 5.7% (2018 est.) forest: 57.4% (2018 est.) other: 31.1% (2018 est.)

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

Central America and the Caribbean

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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

pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land

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

name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: originally called Taphus in Danish - meaning "tap house" or "beer house" because of its many beer halls - the town received a more dignified name in 1691 when it was named Charlotte Amalie in honor of Danish King CHRISTIAN V s wife, Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel (1650 1714)

see United States

history: 22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory amendments: amended several times, last in 2012

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: VI etymology: 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)

unincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US Federal Government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior, Washington, DC

none (territory of the US)

none (territory of the US)

chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN, Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021) head of government: Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019), Lieutenant Governor Tregenza ROACH (since 7 January 2019) 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 8 November 2022 (next to be held in November 2026) election results: Albert BRYAN, Jr. reelected governor; percent of vote - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 56%, Kurt VIALET (independent) 38%

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

unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches

none (territory of the US)

AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); note - court established by the 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 serve initial 10-year terms and upon reconfirmation, during the extent of good behavior; 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

US common law

description: unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands (15 seats; senators directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms) the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term elections: Legislature of the Virgin Islands last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) US House of Representatives last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020) election results: Legislature of the Virgin Islands - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 13, independents 2; composition - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7% delegate to US House of Representatives - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition - 1 woman note: the Virgin Islands to the US House of Representatives 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

name: "Virgin Islands March" lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr. note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)

Democratic Party [Stacey PLASKELL] Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Dale BLYDEN] Republican Party [John CANEGATA]

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

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. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.

defense is the responsibility of the US

0-14 years: 19.71% (male 10,671/female 10,192) 15-24 years: 10.16% (male 5,219/female 5,535) 25-54 years: 36.07% (male 17,844/female 20,342) 55-64 years: 14.24% (male 7,222/female 7,859) 65 years and over: 19.82% (male 9,424/female 11,562) (2021 est.)

11.63 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

NA

NA

NA

8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)

total dependency ratio: 64.6 youth dependency ratio: 32 elderly dependency ratio: 34 potential support ratio: 3 (2021 est.)

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)

NA

Black 76%, White 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1% (2010 est.) note: 17.4% self-identify as Latino

NA

total: 7.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)

total population: 80.27 years male: 77.08 years female: 83.65 years (2022 est.)

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)

total: 41.8 years male: 40.6 years female: 42.8 years (2020 est.)

noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander

-7.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)

NA

105,413 (2022 est.)

while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

-0.45% (2022 est.)

Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.)

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

2 children born/woman (2022 est.)

urban population: 96.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

none identified

total: 2 (2021)

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)

total: 1,868 by type: bulk carrier 91, container ship 39, general cargo 1,205, oil tanker 118, other 415 (2019)

major seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay

total: 1,260 km (2008)