World · permanent entity record · VQ

Virgin Islands

Thirty-second orientation

Virgin Islands at a glance

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: named in honor of Danish King CHRISTIAN V’s wife, Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel, after the colony was established in 1672; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Population: total: 103,792 (2025 est.) male: 49,195 female: 54,597; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Area: total : 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Nationality / demonym: noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Government: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20
Languages: English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20

This permanent record currently carries the preserved final Factbook profile. Independently maintained Almanac fields have not yet superseded it.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

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.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography17 fields

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 188 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 9.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.3% (2023 est.) forest: 58.2% (2023 est.) other: 32.4% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 1 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society21 fields

Population: total: 103,792 (2025 est.) male: 49,195 female: 54,597; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens) adjective: Virgin Islander; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 68 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 37.1 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2.7 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 43.4 years (2025 est.) male: 42.1 years female: 43.9 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: -0.58% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 10.88 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 9.43 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: -7.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, but concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 96.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.7 years (2024 est.) male: 77.6 years female: 84.1 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.95 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment6 fields

Environmental issues: lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 9.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.3% (2023 est.) forest: 58.2% (2023 est.) other: 32.4% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 96.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 146,500 tons (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government20 fields

Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies abbreviation: VI etymology: in 1493, the islets, cays, and rocks around the major islands in the chain reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency status: unincorporated, organized territory of the US, with policy relations with the US federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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: named in honor of Danish King CHRISTIAN V’s wife, Charlotte AMALIE of Hesse-Kassel, after the colony was established in 1672; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 3 islands are considered second-order: Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: US common law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: 22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: see United States; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal note: island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019) cabinet: Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate election/appointment process: 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, but they can vote in the Democratic and Republican party 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) most recent election date: 8 November 2022 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% expected date of next election: November 2026; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices) 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Democratic Party Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM Republican Party; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: none (territory of the US); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
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 its left, with a shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel meaning: white is a symbol of purity, and the letters stand for the Virgin Islands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Virgin Islands March" lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr. history: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem _____ title: "The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH history: official anthem, as a US territory; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy20 fields

Economic 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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.9 billion (2022 est.) $4.965 billion (2021 est.) $4.789 billion (2020 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: -1.3% (2022 est.) 3.7% (2021 est.) -1.6% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $46,500 (2022 est.) $46,900 (2021 est.) $45,100 (2020 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $4.672 billion (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68.9% (2022 est.) government consumption: 34.4% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 15% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 97.4% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -108.3% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 47,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 12.1% (2024 est.) 12.4% (2023 est.) 13.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 25.3% (2024 est.) male: 22% (2024 est.) female: 28.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $1.496 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: $1.518 billion (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 45.9% of GDP (2014 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $4.549 billion (2022 est.) $4.069 billion (2021 est.) $1.62 billion (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019) top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $5.058 billion (2022 est.) $4.057 billion (2021 est.) $3.184 billion (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 326,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 618.819 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 50.181 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 97.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: exports: 4 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 16,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 76,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 88 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 79,100 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 92 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: about a dozen TV stations, including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV available; 24 radio stations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .vi; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 64% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 9,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation4 fields

Airports: 2 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 4 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 2 (2023) by type: general cargo 1, other 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 3 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay, Port Alucroix; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security2 fields

Military and security forces: US Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD); US Virgin Islands National Guard (VING); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.