Background: 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. In 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.

Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total: 1,910 km²
Land: 346 km²
Water: 1,564 km²
Comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Country comparison total: 0 km

Land boundaries
Total: 0 km

Coastline: 188 km

Maritime claims
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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
Highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural resources: pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

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

Irrigated land: 1 km² (2012)

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

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
Distribution: while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Total: 104,377
Male: 49,520
Female: 54,857 (2024 est.)
Growth rate: -0.54% (2024 est.)

Nationality
Noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
Adjective: Virgin Islander

Ethnic groups: African-American or African descent 71.4%, White 13.3%, Indigenous 0.4%, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 0.1%, other 6.3%, mixed 7.5% (2020 est.)
Note: 18.4% 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 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.)

Age structure
0-14 years: 18.7% (male 9,983/female 9,547)
15-64 years: 59.8% (male 29,519/female 32,899)
65 years and over: 21.5% (2024 est.) (male 10,018/female 12,411)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 64.6
Youth dependency ratio: 32
Elderly dependency ratio: 34
Potential support ratio: 3 (2021 est.)

Median age
Total: 43 years (2024 est.)
Male: 42.1 years
Female: 43.9 years

Population growth rate: -0.54% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 11.1 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate: -7.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

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

Major urban areas
Population: 52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)

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

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 7.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 80.7 years (2024 est.)
Male: 77.6 years
Female: 84.1 years

Total fertility rate: 1.97 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA

Drinking water source
Improved urban: NA
Unimproved rural: NA
Unimproved total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)
Unimproved urban: NA

Sanitation facility access
Improved urban: NA
Improved rural: NA
Improved total: 99.4% of population
Unimproved urban: NA
Unimproved rural: NA
Unimproved total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA

Education expenditures: NA

Literacy
Total population: NA
Male: NA
Female: NA

Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 25.6% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 23.1% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 female: 32.7% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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)

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

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)
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)

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 US territory
Amendments: amended several times, last in 2012

Legal system: US common law

Citizenship: see United States

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Note: island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN, Jr. (since 20 January 2021)
Head of government: Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (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: 2022: Albert BRYAN, Jr. reelected governor; percent of vote - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 56%, Kurt VIALET (independent) 38%; 2018: Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected governor in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah 'Foncie' DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, other 11.9%; percent of vote in second round- Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, other 0.3%

Legislative branch
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 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024); Delegate to the US House of Representatives last held on 8 November 2022 (next to be held on 5 November 2024)
Elections results: Legislature of the Virgin Islands - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 9, independent 6; composition - men 10, women 5, percent of women 33.3%; delegate to US House of Representatives - seat by party - Democratic Party 1
Note: the Virgin Islands delegate 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

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

Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party, Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM, Republican Party

International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)

Diplomatic representation
In the us: none (territory of the US)
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: high-income, tourism-based American territorial economy; severe COVID-19 economic disruptions; major rum distillery; high public debt; sluggish reopening of large oil refinery; environmentally susceptible to hurricanes; many informal industries

Real gdp purchasing power parity: $4.895 billion (2021 est.); $4.759 billion (2020 est.); $4.852 billion (2019 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars

Real gdp growth rate: 2.85% (2021 est.); -1.92% (2020 est.); 2.93% (2019 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: $46,200 (2021 est.); $44,800 (2020 est.); $45,500 (2019 est.)
Note: data in 2021 dollars

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 65.8% (2021 est.)
Government consumption: 33.6% (2021 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.)
Investment in inventories: 15% (2016 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 91.7% (2021 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -91.5% (2021 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agriculture products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

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

Industrial production growth rate: 4.3% (2014 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 46,000 (2023 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 12.09% (2023 est.); 12.67% (2022 est.); 13.93% (2021 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 25.6% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 23.1% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 female: 32.7% (2023 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $1.496 billion (2016 est.)
Expenditures: $1.518 billion (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues: 28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Public debt: 53.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Revenue
From forest resources: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Inflation rate consumer prices: 1% (2016 est.); 2.6% (2015 est.)

Exports: $4.075 billion (2021 est.); $1.62 billion (2020 est.); $2.265 billion (2019 est.)
Note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)
Commodities: refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)

Imports: $4.065 billion (2021 est.); $3.185 billion (2020 est.); $4.139 billion (2019 est.)
Note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Partners: India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)
Commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019)

Exchange rates: the US dollar is used

Electricity
Access electrification total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 326,000 kW (2022 est.)
Consumption: 625.127 million kWh (2022 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 50 million kWh (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 97.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Generation sources solar: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Petroleum
Refined petroleum consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.272 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 2.272 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 76,000 (2021 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 76 (2021 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 80,000 (2021 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 80 (2021 est.)

Military and security forces: US Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD); US Virgin Islands Army National Guard (VING); US Virgin Islands Air National Guard (VIANG)

Airports: 2 (2024)

Heliports: 3 (2024)

Roadways
Total: 1,260 km (2008)