|
OFFICIAL
NAME U.S. Virgin Islands
Including the Islands of: St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas
CAPITAL CITY Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, population 22,000
|
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.
|
|
Location:
|
Caribbean,
islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
|
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
18 20 N, 64
50 W
|
|
Map references:
|
St. Croix and the Caribbean
|
|
Area:
|
total:
1,910 sq km
land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km
|
|
Area - comparative:
|
twice the
size of Washington, DC |
|
Land boundaries:
|
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 level land
|
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest
point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
|
|
Natural resources:
|
sun, sand,
sea, surf
|
|
Land use:
|
arable
land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 2.86%
other: 91.43% (2005)
|
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA |
|
Natural hazards:
|
several
hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and
floods; occasional earthquakes
|
|
Environment - current issues:
|
lack of
natural freshwater resources |
|
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:
|
108,605 (July
2006 est.) |
|
Age structure:
|
0-14
years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056)
15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949)
65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780)
(2006 est.) |
|
Median age:
|
total:
37.1 years
male: 36.2 years
female: 38 years (2006 est.)
|
|
Population growth rate:
|
-0.12% (2006 est.)
|
|
Birth rate:
|
13.96
births/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
|
Death rate:
|
6.43
deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.) |
|
Net migration rate:
|
-8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
|
|
Sex ratio:
|
at birth:
1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
|
|
Infant mortality rate:
|
total:
7.86 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
|
|
Life expectancy at birth:
|
total
population: 79.05 years
male: 75.24 years
female: 83.09 years (2006 est.)
|
|
Total fertility rate:
|
2.17 children
born/woman (2006 est.)
|
|
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
|
NA |
|
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
|
NA |
|
Nationality:
|
noun:
Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Virgin Islander
|
|
Ethnic groups:
|
black 76.2%,
white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000
census) |
|
Religions:
|
Baptist 42%,
Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% |
|
Languages:
|
English
74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French
Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census) |
|
Literacy:
|
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 90-95% est.
male: NA%
female: NA% (2005 est.) |
|
Country name:
|
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
abbreviation: USVI
|
|
Dependency status:
|
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 |
|
Government type:
|
NA |
|
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 three islands at the second order; Saint
Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas |
|
National holiday:
|
Transfer Day
(from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) |
|
Constitution:
|
Revised
Organic Act of 22 July 1954 |
|
Legal system:
|
based on US
laws
|
|
Suffrage:
|
18 years of
age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not
vote in US presidential elections |
|
Executive branch:
|
chief of
state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20
January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20
January 2001)
head of government: Governor John de Jongh (as of January 2007)
cabinet: NA
elections: under the US Consitution, residents of
unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do
not vote in elections for US president and vice president;
governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket
by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second
term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be
held November 2010)
election results: John DeJONGH elected governor and
takes office in January 2007; percent of vote - John DeJONGH
57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7% |
|
Legislative branch:
|
unicameral
Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to
serve two-year terms)
elections: last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held
November 2008)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%;
seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM 4, independent 3
note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting
representative to the US House of Representatives; election
last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008);
results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat)
reelected |
|
Judicial branch:
|
US District
Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit
jurisdiction); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges
appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) |
|
Political parties and leaders:
|
Democratic
Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or
ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]
|
|
Political pressure groups and leaders:
|
NA |
|
International organization participation:
|
IOC, UPU |
|
Diplomatic representation in the US:
|
none (territory of the US)
|
|
Diplomatic representation from the US:
|
none (territory of the US)
|
|
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 a yellow 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 80% of GDP and
employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a
year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum
refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch
assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food
being imported. International business and financial
services are small but growing components of the economy.
One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint
Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from
storms. The government is working to improve fiscal
discipline, to support construction projects in the private
sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and
to protect the environment. |
|
GDP (purchasing power parity):
|
$1.577 billion (2004 est.)
|
|
GDP (official exchange rate):
|
NA |
|
GDP - real growth rate:
|
2% (2002 est.) |
|
GDP - per capita (PPP):
|
$14,500 (2004 est.)
|
|
GDP - composition by sector:
|
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.)
|
|
Labor force:
|
43,980 (2004 est.)
|
|
Labor force - by occupation:
|
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.)
|
|
Unemployment rate:
|
6.2% (2004) |
|
Population below poverty line:
|
NA% |
|
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
|
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
|
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
|
2.2% (2003) |
|
Budget:
|
revenues:
$NA
expenditures: $NA |
|
Agriculture - products:
|
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
|
|
Industries:
|
tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling,
construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics
|
|
Industrial production growth rate:
|
NA% |
|
Electricity - production:
|
1.04 billion kWh (2003)
|
|
Electricity - consumption:
|
967.3 million kWh (2003)
|
|
Electricity - exports:
|
0 kWh (2003)
|
|
Electricity - imports:
|
0 kWh (2003)
|
|
Oil - production:
|
14,650 bbl/day (2003 est.)
|
|
Oil - consumption:
|
105,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
|
|
Oil - exports:
|
NA bbl/day |
|
Oil - imports:
|
NA bbl/day |
|
Natural gas - production:
|
0 cu m (2003 est.)
|
|
Natural gas - consumption:
|
0 cu m (2003 est.)
|
|
Exports:
|
$4.234 billion $NA
|
|
Exports - commodities:
|
refined petroleum products
|
|
Exports - partners:
|
US, Puerto Rico (2004)
|
|
Imports:
|
$4.609 billion $NA
|
|
Imports - commodities:
|
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials
|
|
Imports - partners:
|
US, Puerto Rico (2004)
|
|
Debt - external:
|
$NA |
|
Economic aid - recipient:
|
$NA |
|
Currency (code):
|
US dollar (USD)
|
|
Exchange rates:
|
the US dollar is used
|
|
Fiscal year:
|
1 October - 30 September
|
|
Telephones - main lines in use:
|
70,900 (2004)
|
|
Telephones - mobile cellular:
|
64,200 (2004) |
|
Telephone system:
|
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, area code - 340; 2 submarine
cable connections (Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth
stations - NA |
|
Radio broadcast stations:
|
AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)
|
|
Television broadcast stations:
|
5 (2006) |
|
Internet country code:
|
.vi |
|
Internet hosts:
|
3,855 (2006) |
|
Internet users:
|
30,000 (2002) |
|
Airports:
|
2 (2006) |
|
Airports - with paved runways:
|
total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006) |
|
Roadways:
|
total: 1,257 km (2004)
|
|
Ports and terminals:
|
Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay
|
|
Military - note:
|
defense
is the responsibility of the US |
|
Disputes - international:
|
none
|
This information was last updated on 30
November, 2006 |
Travel Requirements
New
Requirements for Travelers Between the United
States and the Western Hemisphere
Please
note: This initiative WILL NOT affect U.S
citizens traveling between the United States and
its territories!
Click here for more info.
***** U.S.
Citizens DO NOT need a Passport to travel to St. Croix!!! *****
| The new passport
requirement outlined below does NOT apply
to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning
directly from a U.S. territory. U.S. citizens
returning directly from a U.S. territory are not
considered to have left the United States and do
not need to present a passport. U.S.
territories include the following: Guam, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa,
Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands. |
Under the
Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation
timeline has two phases:
- Beginning
January 23, 2007, ALL persons,
including U.S. citizens, traveling by
air between the United
States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South
America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be
required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant
Mariner Document, or an Alien Registration
Card, Form I-551, if applicable.
- As early as
January 1, 2008, ALL persons,
including U.S. citizens, traveling between
the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by
land or sea
(including ferries), may be required to
present a valid passport or other documents
as determined by the Department of Homeland
Security. While recent legislative changes
permit a later deadline, the Departments of
State and Homeland Security are working to
meet all requirements as soon as possible.
Ample advance notice will be provided to
enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
Travel Documents for
U.S. Citizens Under WHTI
Under the proposed
implementation plan, the following documents
will be acceptable to fulfill document
requirements:
- U.S. Passport:
U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S.
passport when traveling via air between
the United States and Canada, Mexico,
Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda, and may also use
a U.S. passport when traveling via sea
and land borders (including ferry
crossings).
- The Passport Card
(also referred to as the PASS Card):
This limited-use passport in card format
is currently under development and will
be available for use for travel only via
land or sea (including ferries) between
the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda. Similar in size
to a credit card, it will fit easily
into a wallet.
- DOS and DHS also
anticipate that the following documents
will continue to be acceptable for their
current travel uses under WHTI: SENTRI,
NEXUS, FAST, and the U.S. Coast Guard
Merchant Mariner Document. As proposed,
members of the U.S. Armed Forces on
active duty traveling on orders will
continue to be exempt from the passport
requirement.
Background
The Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires the
Department of Homeland Security and Department
of State to develop and implement a plan to
require all travelers, U.S. citizens and foreign
nationals alike, to present a passport or other
document, or a combination of documents, that
denote identity and citizenship when entering
the United States. Congress amended portions of
the Act in 2006. The Western Hemisphere Travel
Initiative is the Administration’s proposed plan
to implement this mandate.
The goal of the Initiative is
to strengthen border security and facilitate
entry into the United States for U.S. citizens
and legitimate foreign visitors by providing
standardized, secure and reliable documentation
which will allow the Department of Homeland
Security to quickly, reliably and accurately
identify a traveler.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service maintains an office in St. Croix
and is happy to assist visitors by answering any immigration questions. Their
telephone number: (340) 778-6559. At the airport, their number is (340)
778-1419.
When you leave St. Croix by air, give yourself at least an hour and a half at
the airport to go through customs and immigration checkpoints. At the airline
counter you will be required to show photo identification for security purposes
and check your bags.
Before passing through Customs you have the opportunity to shop in the airport's
gift shop and/or get a bite to eat at the small local restaurant located in the
lobby. This is your last chance to try some local food before you return home!
After visiting the airport lobby, fill in the Customs Declaration form you were
given at check-in and proceed to Customs. Present your declaration form, along
with your passport, to a Customs Inspector. You then collect your bags from the
luggage carousel and pass through Immigration where you present your
identification and Customs Declaration form. Be prepared to have all your bags
checked thoroughly, inside and out.
Once past Customs and the airport screening area there are new gates with
comfortable chairs and a small snack bar which serves light snacks, soft drinks,
beer and cocktails.
Driving is on the left side of the street! Rentals cars are all left hand drive
models.
For more information
for Travelers to and From the US and it's territories visit the
Transportation Security Administration website by clicking the logo
above.
Marriage Requirements
-
Click here
for detailed Wedding Information
An eight-day waiting period is
required for couples desiring to be married in the Virgin Islands. Information
can be obtained by writing to:
Clerk of the Territorial Court
P.O. Box 70
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00801
(340) 774-7325
|
