2008 Edition

Background

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency.

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.

Area

total: 153 sq km land: 153 sq km water: 0 sq km note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

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

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

twice the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

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

Coastline

80 km

188 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchments)

lack of natural freshwater resources

Geographic coordinates

18 30 N, 64 30 W

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Geography - note

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

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

Irrigated land

NA

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

0 km

Land use

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 6.67% other: 73.33% (2005)

arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005)

Location

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

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

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

Natural resources

NEGL

sun, sand, sea, surf

Terrain

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

Age structure

0-14 years: 20% (male 2,432/female 2,366) 15-64 years: 74.4% (male 9,178/female 8,715) 65 years and over: 5.6% (male 697/female 653) (2008 est.)

0-14 years: 21% (male 11,698/female 11,390) 15-64 years: 66.2% (male 34,035/female 38,670) 65 years and over: 12.8% (male 6,312/female 7,735) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

14.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

12.29 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

4.37 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2006)

NA

Ethnic groups

black 83.4%, white 7%, mixed 5.4%, Indian 3.4%, other 0.8% (1991 census)

black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

total: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

English (official)

English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 77.07 years male: 75.88 years female: 78.32 years (2008 est.)

total population: 78.92 years male: 75.9 years female: 82.11 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.8% (1991 est.) male: NA% female: NA%

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 90-95% est. male: NA% female: NA% (2005 est.)

Median age

total: 32 years male: 32.1 years female: 31.9 years (2008 est.)

total: 38.5 years male: 38 years female: 39 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander

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

Net migration rate

8.44 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

-5.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

24,041 (July 2008 est.)

109,840 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

1.88% (2008 est.)

0.002% (2008 est.)

Religions

Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% (1991)

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years male: 15 years female: 19 years (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.71 children born/woman (2008 est.)

1.88 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

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

Capital

name: Road Town geographic coordinates: 18 27 N, 64 37 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

name: Charlotte Amalie geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

13 June 2007

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Country name

conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI

conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: USVI

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006) head of government: Premier Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 23 August 2007) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed premier by the governor

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 DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007) cabinet: NA elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as 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 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; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%

Flag description

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

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 one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel

Government type

NA

NA

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU, WFTU

IOC, UPU, WFTU

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

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)

Legal system

English law

based on US laws

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Assembly (13 elected seats and 1 non-voting ex officio member in the attorney general; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 20 August 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - VIP 45.2%, NDP 39.6%, independent 15.2%; seats by party - VIP 10, NDP 2, independent 1

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)

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July (1956)

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

Political parties and leaders

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Family Support Network; The Women's Desk other: environmentalists

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Budget

revenues: $204.7 million expenditures: $180.4 million (2004)

revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA

Currency (code)

US dollar (USD)

US dollar (USD)

Currency code

USD

USD

Current account balance

$134.3 million (1999)

Debt - external

$36.1 million (1997)

$NA

Economic aid - recipient

$NA

$NA

Economy - overview

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 820,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2005. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959.

Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable 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.

Electricity - consumption

41.85 million kWh (2006 est.)

892.8 million kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

45 million kWh (2006 est.)

960 million kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

the US dollar is used

Exports

$25.3 million (2002)

$4.234 billion (2001)

Exports - commodities

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

refined petroleum products

Exports - partners

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006)

US, Puerto Rico (2006)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 1.8% industry: 6.2% services: 92% (1996 est.)

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

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,500 (2004 est.)

$14,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2002 est.)

2% (2002 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$839.7 million (2003)

$NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$853.4 million (2004 est.)

$1.577 billion (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$187 million (2002 est.)

$4.609 billion (2001)

Imports - commodities

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Imports - partners

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2006)

US, Puerto Rico (2006)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

NA%

Industries

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2005)

2.2% (2003)

Labor force

12,770 (2004)

43,980 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 0.6% industry: 40% services: 59.4% (2005)

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

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2007 est.)

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

650 bbl/day (2006 est.)

91,680 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2005)

398,500 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

649.8 bbl/day (2005)

492,300 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

17,620 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

28.9% (2002)

Unemployment rate

3.6% (1997)

6.2% (2004)

Internet country code

.vg

.vi

Internet hosts

465 (2008)

4,610 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

16 (2000)

50 (2000)

Internet users

4,000 (2002)

30,000 (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005)

Radios

9,000 (1997)

107,000 (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2007)

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 - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA

Telephones - main lines in use

11,700 (2002)

71,700 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8,000 (2002)

80,300 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus 1 cable company) (1997)

5 (2006)

Televisions

4,000 (1997)

68,000 (1997)

Airports

3 (2007)

2 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2007)

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2007)

Merchant marine

registered in other countries: 1 (Panama 1) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Road Town

Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay

Roadways

total: 200 km paved: 200 km (2007)

total: 1,257 km (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 7,101 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 5,921 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 184 female: 179 (2008 est.)

male: 861 female: 897 (2008 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

none

none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008