Background: 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.

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total area total: 352 km²
Land: 349 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 188 km

Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly tradewinds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November

Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf

Land use
Arable land: 15%
Permanent crops: 6%
Meadows and pastures: 26%
Forest and woodland: 6%
Other: 47%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; subject to frequent severe droughts, floods, earthquakes

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the US

Population: 97,564 (July 1994 est.)
Growth rate: -0.52% (1994 est.)

Nationality: noun:Virgin Islander(s)

Ethnic groups: West Indian (45% born in the Virgin Islands and 29% born elsewhere in the West Indies) 74%, US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 5%, other 8%; black 80%, white 15%, other 5%; Hispanic origin 14%

Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole

Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%

Population growth rate: -0.52% (1994 est.)

Birth rate: 19.41 births/1000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate: 5.2 deaths/1000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate: -19.41 migrant(s)/1000 population (1994 est.)

Environment
Current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources
International agreements: NA

Infant mortality rate: 12.54 deaths/1000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 75.29 years
Male: 73.6 years
Female: 77.2 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.53 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Literacy
Total population: NA%
Male: NA%
Female: NA%

Government type: organized, unincorporated territory of the US administered by the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Capital: Charlotte Amalie

Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)

National holiday: Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US)

Constitution: Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Legal system: based on US

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch
Chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
Head of government: Governor Alexander A. FARRELLY (since 5 January 1987); Lieutenant Governor Derek M. HODGE (since 5 January 1987); election last held 6 November 1990 (next to be held November 1994); results - Governor Alexander FARRELLY (Democratic Party) 56.5% defeated Juan LUIS (independent) 38.5%

Legislative branch: unicameral
Senate: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (15 total) number of seats by party NA
US House of Representatives: elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held 2 November 1994); results - Ron DE LUGO reelected as delegate; seats - (1 total); seat by party NA; note - the Virgin Islands elect one representative to the US House of Representatives

Judicial branch
US District Court: handles civil matters over $50,000, felonies (persons 15 years of age and over), and federal cases
Territorial Court: handles civil matters up to $50,000, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases

International organization participation: ECLAC (associate), IOC

Flag description: white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows an eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel

Economy overview: Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The manufacturing sector consists of textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, and watch assembly plants. The agricultural sector is small, most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix.

Real gdp growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: $11,000 (1987)

Agriculture products: truck gardens, food crops (small scale), fruit, sorghum, Senepol cattle

Industries: tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Industrial production growth rate: 12% (year NA; accounts for NA% of GDP

Labor force: 45,500 (1988)
By occupation: tourism 70%

Unemployment rate: 3.7% (1992)

Budget: revenues:$364.4 million

Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September

Exports: $2.8 billion (f.o.b., 1990)
Commodities: refined petroleum products
Partners: US, Puerto Rico

Imports: $3.3 billion (c.i.f., 1990)
Commodities: crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
Partners: US, Puerto Rico

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: US currency is used

Electricity
Capacity: 380,000 kW
Production: 565 million kWh
Consumption per capita: 5,710 kWh (1992)

Airports: 2
Usable: 2
With permanentsurface runways: 2
With runways over 3659 m: 0
With runways 2440-3659 m: 0
With runways 1220-2439 m: 2

Disputes international: none