Virgin Islands <div style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em"> <table cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid #9866FF; background-color: #f3f3ff" width="200"> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Flag</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 2px">Image:vq-flag.png</td></tr> <tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #C9AFFF; border-top: 1px solid #C9AFFF; background-color: #ddddff">Quick Facts</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Capital'''</td><td>Charlotte Amalie</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Government'''</td><td>NA<br/></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Currency'''</td><td>US dollar (USD)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Area'''</td><td>''total:'' 352 sq km <br>''water:'' 3 sq km <br>''land:'' 349 sq km</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Population'''</td><td>123,498 (July 2002 est.)</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Language'''</td><td>English (official), Spanish, Creole</td></tr> <tr><td valign="top" style="padding-left: 2px">'''Religion'''</td><td>Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%</td></tr> </table> </div>  The '''Virgin Islands''' is a Caribbean Islands|Caribbean island territory of the United States of America between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. It was formerly known as the ''Danish West Indies''. Together with the British Virgin Islands, to the northeast, the territory forms the Virgin Islands archipelago. The islands natural resources are sun, sand, sea, and surf. Image:vq-map.png|frame|Map of Virgin Islands ==Regions== There are three main islands: *Saint Croix *Saint John, V.I. *Saint Thomas ==Towns== *Charlotte Amalie - Capital *Christiansted *Frederiksted *Cruz Bay ==Other destinations== ==Understand== ===Climate=== Subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November. Has experienced several hurricanes in recent years as well as frequent and severe droughts and floods. ===Terrain=== Mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land. occasional earthquakes. ; ''Highest point:'' Crown Mountain 474 m ===Location=== Is in an 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 ===History=== 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. ; '''National holiday''' : Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) ==Get in== ===By plane=== ===By boat=== ==Get around== Getting around St Croix for one, is fairly easy. With plenty to explore on the island, car rental agencies are recommended. From the lush rainforest to the quaint Christianstead, driving the island is both scenic and a visual pleasure. Stick to the left-hand side and with a good handful of sharp curves, take your time navigating the roads. Remember that you're on "island time." ==Talk== ; '''Languages''' : English (official), Spanish, Creole ==Buy== ==Eat== ==Drink== ==Sleep== * '''Hostel Happy''' offers a Hostels#Sailboat hostels|sailboat hostel for hosteling and chartering all over the US and British Virgin Islands and the greater Caribbean. http://www.hostelhappy.net/ ==Learn== ==Work== ==Stay safe== This is the only US possession where driving on the '''left side''' (''British'') of the road is practiced (2000). ==Stay healthy== ==Respect== ==Contact== ==External links== {{msg:stub}} fr:Îles Vierges américaines ---- ''The rest of this article is an Wikitravel:CIA World Factbook 2002 import|import from the CIA World Factbook 2002. It's a starting point for creating a '''real''' Wikitravel country article according to our Wikitravel:country article template|country article template. Please Wikitravel:plunge forward|plunge forward and integrate it into the article above.'' ---- ==Geography== ; '''Geographic coordinates''' : 18 20 N, 64 50 W ; '''Area''' : ''total:'' 352 sq km <br>''water:'' 3 sq km <br>''land:'' 349 sq km ; '''Area - comparative''' : twice the size of Washington, DC ; '''Coastline''' : 188 km ; '''Maritime claims''' : ''exclusive economic zone:'' 200 NM <br>''territorial sea:'' 12 NM ; '''Land use''' : ''arable land:'' 15% <br>''permanent crops:'' 6% <br>''other:'' 79% (1998 est.) ; '''Environment - current issues''' : lack of natural freshwater resources ==People== ; '''Population''' : 123,498 (July 2002 est.) ; '''Nationality''' : ''noun:'' Virgin Islander(s) <br>''adjective:'' Virgin Islander ; '''Ethnic groups''' : black 80%, white 15%, other 5% <br>''note:'' 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% ; '''Religions''' : Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% ==Government== ; '''Country name''' : ''conventional long form:'' United States Virgin Islands <br>''conventional short form:'' Virgin Islands <br>''former:'' Danish West Indies ; '''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 ; '''Constitution''' : Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 ; '''Legal system''' : based on US laws ; '''Suffrage''' : 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections ; '''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== ; '''Economy - overview''' : Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of 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 a small but growing component 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, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment. ; '''Industries''' : tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics ; '''Agriculture - products''' : fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle ; '''Exports - commodities''' : refined petroleum products ; '''Imports - commodities''' : crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials ; '''Currency''' : US dollar (USD) ; '''Currency code''' : USD ; '''Exchange rates''' : the US dollar is used ==Communications== ; '''Telephones - main lines in use''' : 62,000 (1997) ; '''Telephones - mobile cellular''' : 2,000 (1992) ; '''Telephone system''' : ''general assessment:'' NA <br>''domestic:'' modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay <br>''international:'' submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA ; '''Radio broadcast stations''' : AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) ; '''Radios''' : 107,000 (1997) ; '''Television broadcast stations''' : 2 (2002) ; '''Televisions''' : 68,000 (1997) ; '''Internet country code''' : .vi ; '''Internet Service Providers (ISPs)''' : 50 (2000) ; '''Internet users''' : 12,000 (2000) ==Transportation== ; '''Highways''' : ''total:'' 856 km <br>''paved:'' NA km <br>''note:'' the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000) <br>''unpaved:'' NA km ; '''Merchant marine''' : none (2002 est.) ; '''Airports''' : 2 (2001) ; '''Airports - with paved runways''' : ''total:'' 2 <br>''1,524 to 2,437 m:'' 2 (2002) First page | Prev | Next | Last page |

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