Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total:1,910 sq km
land:346 sq km
water:1,564 sq km
country comparison to the world:182
Area - comparative:
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Coastline:
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12nm
exclusive economic zone:200nm
Climate:
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Terrain:
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land
Elevation:
0 mlowest point: Caribbean Sea
474 highest point: Crown Mountain
Natural resources:
pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Land use:
agricultural land:11.5%(2011 est.)
arable land:2.9%(2011 est.)/permanent crops:2.9%(2011 est.)/permanent pasture:5.7%(2011 est.)
forest:57.4%(2011 est.)
other:31.1%(2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
Population distribution:
while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Natural hazards:
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing
Geography - note:
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
Population:
106,977(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:192
Nationality:
noun:Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective:Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups:
black 76%, white 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1%(2010 est.)
note:17.4% self-identify as latino
Languages:
English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5%(2010 est.)
Religions:
Protestant 59% (Baptist 42%, Episcopalian 17%), Roman Catholic 34%, other 7%
Age structure:
0-14 years:20.26%(male 11,102 /female 10,570)
15-24 years:10.87%(male 5,665 /female 5,965)
25-54 years:36.87%(male 18,454 /female 20,987)
55-64 years:13.92%(male 7,039 /female 7,851)
65 years and over:18.08%(male 8,802 /female 10,542)(2018 est.)
population pyramid:![\"population](\"/attachments/images/thumb/VQ_popgraph.bmp?1538604984\")
Central America
:: Virgin IslandsPrint This is the population pyramid for Virgin Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:60.8(2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio:32.8(2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:28(2015 est.)
potential support ratio:3.6(2015 est.)
Median age:
Population growth rate:
-0.3%(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:217
Birth rate:
12.5 births/1,000 population(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:155
Death rate:
8.1 deaths/1,000 population(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:88
Net migration rate:
-7.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:204
Population distribution:
while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Urbanization:
urban population:95.7% of total population(2018)
rate of urbanization:0.1% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital)(2018)
Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
0-14 years:1.02 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
15-24 years:0.82 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
25-54 years:0.82 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
55-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
65 years and over:0.83 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
total population:0.87 male(s)/female(2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total:7.7 deaths/1,000 live births(2018 est.)
male:8.8 deaths/1,000 live births(2018 est.)
female:6.7 deaths/1,000 live births(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:158
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:79.5 years(2018 est.)
male:76.3 years(2018 est.)
female:83 years(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:49
Total fertility rate:
2.06 children born/woman(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:108
Drinking water source:
improved:urban:100% of population
rural:100% of population
total:100% of population
unimproved:urban:0% of population
rural:0% of population
total:0% of population(2015 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:urban:96.4% of population(2015 est.)
rural:96.4% of population(2015 est.)
total:96.4% of population(2015 est.)
unimproved:urban:3.6% of population(2015 est.)
rural:3.6% of population(2015 est.)
total:3.6% of population(2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Major infectious diseases:
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus
Country name:
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)
Dependency status:
unincorporated organized 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
Government type:
presidential democracy; a self-governing territory of the US
Capital:
name:Charlotte Amalie
geographic coordinates:18 21 N, 64 56 W
time difference:UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
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
Independence:
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Constitution:
history:22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this territory of the US(2018)
amendments:revised 1962, 2000(2018)
Legal system:
Citizenship:
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Judicial branch:
highest courts: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
Executive branch:
chief of state:President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)
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 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)
election results:Albert BRYAN (Democratic Party) 37.9%, incumbent Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.7%, Adlah Donastorg, Jr. (independent) 16.4%; a runoff will be held 20 November 2018
Legislative branch:
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 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 13, independent 2
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 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party [Donna M. CHRISTENSEN]
Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Dale BLYDEN]
Republican Party [John CANEGATA]
International organization participation:
AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
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
National anthem:
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)
Economy - overview:
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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$3.872 billion(2016 est.)
$3.759 billion(2015 est.)
$3.622 billion(2014 est.)
note: data are in 2013 dollars
country comparison to the world:181
GDP (official exchange rate):
$5.182 billion(2016 est.)(2016 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
0.9%(2016 est.)
0.3%(2015 est.)
-1%(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:185
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,000(2016 est.)
$35,800(2015 est.)
$34,500(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:54
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:68.2%(2016 est.)
government consumption:26.8%(2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital:7.5%(2016 est.)
investment in inventories:15%NA(2016 est.)
exports of goods and services:46.7%(2016 est.)
imports of goods and services:-64.3%(2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:2%(2012 est.)
industry:20%(2012 est.)
services:78%(2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Industries:
tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Industrial production growth rate:
Labor force:
48,550(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:193
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:1%
industry:19%
services:80%(2003 est.)
Unemployment rate:
10.4%(2017 est.)
11%(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:145
Population below poverty line:
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA
highest 10%:NA
Budget:
revenues:1.496 billion(2016 est.)
expenditures:1.518 billion(2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
28.9% (of GDP)(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:89
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-0.4% (of GDP)(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:59
Public debt:
53.3% of GDP(2016 est.)
45.9% of GDP(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:91
Fiscal year:
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1%(2016 est.)
2.6%(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:54
Exports:
$1.81 billion(2016 est.)
$1.537 billion(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:147
Exports - commodities:
Imports:
$2.489 billion(2016 est.)
$1.549 billion(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:159
Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Debt - external:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Exchange rates:
Electricity access:
population without electricity:10,295(2012)
electrification - total population:91%(2012)
electrification - urban areas:91%(2012)
electrification - rural areas:80%(2012)
Electricity - production:
704 million kWh(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:157
Electricity - consumption:
654.7 million kWh(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:162
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:216
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:217
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
325,000 kW(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:157
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
98% of total installed capacity(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:30
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:210
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:212
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
2% of total installed capacity(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:146
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:213
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:214
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:214
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl(1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world:211
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:214
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1,240 bbl/day(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world:204
Refined petroleum products - exports:
3,285 bbl/day(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:97
Refined petroleum products - imports:
23,480 bbl/day(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:112
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:213
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:212
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:211
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:211
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m(1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:206
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
2.764 million Mt(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world:150