Virgin Islands (2003) | Jersey (2004) | |
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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 | none (British crown dependency) |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.) |
0-14 years: 17.7% (male 8,268; female 7,716)
15-64 years: 67.1% (male 30,237; female 30,490) 65 years and over: 15.2% (male 6,016; female 7,775) (2004 est.) |
Agriculture - products | fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle | potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products |
Airports | 2 (2002) | 1 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) |
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
Area | total: 352 sq km
land: 349 sq km water: 3 sq km |
total: 116 sq km
land: 116 sq km water: 0 sq km |
Area - comparative | twice the size of Washington, DC | about two-thirds the size of Washington, DC |
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. | The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops in World War II. |
Birth rate | 15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 10.04 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Budget | revenues: $364.4 million
expenditures: $364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.) |
revenues: $601 million
expenditures: $588 million, including capital expenditures of $98 million (2000 est.) |
Capital | Charlotte Amalie | Saint Helier |
Climate | subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November | temperate; mild winters and cool summers |
Coastline | 188 km | 70 km |
Constitution | Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 | unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice |
Country name | conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies |
conventional long form: Bailiwick of Jersey
conventional short form: Jersey |
Currency | US dollar (USD) | British pound (GBP); note - there is also a Jersey pound |
Death rate | 5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Debt - external | $NA | none |
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 | British crown dependency |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (territory of the US) | none (British crown dependency) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (territory of the US) | none (British crown dependency) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economic aid - recipient | $NA | none |
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. | The economy is based largely on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. Potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes, and especially flowers are important export crops, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle is known worldwide and represents an important export income earner. Milk products go to the UK and other EU countries. In 1996 the finance sector accounted for about 60% of the island's output. Tourism, another mainstay of the economy, accounts for 24% of GDP. In recent years, the government has encouraged light industry to locate in Jersey, with the result that an electronics industry has developed alongside the traditional manufacturing of knitwear. All raw material and energy requirements are imported, as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular tax haven. |
Electricity - consumption | 957.9 million kWh (2001) | - |
Electricity - exports | 0 kWh (2001) | - |
Electricity - imports | 0 kWh (2001) | NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by France |
Electricity - production | 1.03 billion kWh (2001) | - |
Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001) |
- |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m |
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 143 m |
Environment - current issues | lack of natural freshwater resources | NA |
Ethnic groups | black 78%, white 10%, other 12%
note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2% |
UK and Norman-French descent |
Exchange rates | the US dollar is used | Jersey pounds per US dollar - 0.6661 (2002), 0.6944 (2001), 0.6596 (2000), 0.6180 (1999); the Jersey pound is at par with the British pound |
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 Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NA January 2003) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4% |
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshall Sir John CHESHIRE (since 24 January 2001) and Bailiff Philip Martin BAILHACHE (since NA February 1995) cabinet: committees appointed by the Assembly of the States elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; lieutenant governor and bailiff appointed by the monarch |
Exports | NA (2001) | NA |
Exports - commodities | refined petroleum products | light industrial and electrical goods, foodstuffs, textiles |
Exports - partners | US, Puerto Rico | UK |
Fiscal year | 1 October - 30 September | 1 April - 31 March |
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 | white with a diagonal red cross extending to the corners of the flag; in the upper quadrant, surmounted by a yellow crown, a red shield with the three lions of England in yellow |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.) | purchasing power parity - $2.2 billion (1999 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: NA%
industry: NA% services: NA% |
agriculture: 5%
industry: 2% services: 93% (1996) |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.) | purchasing power parity - $24,800 (1999 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate | 2% (2001 est.) | NA |
Geographic coordinates | 18 20 N, 64 50 W | 49 15 N, 2 10 W |
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 | largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier |
Highways | total: 856 km
paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000) |
total: 577 km
paved: NA km unpaved: NA km |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
Imports | NA (2001) | NA |
Imports - commodities | crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials | machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, foodstuffs, mineral fuels, chemicals |
Imports - partners | US, Puerto Rico | UK |
Independence | - | none (British crown dependency) |
Industrial production growth rate | NA% | NA |
Industries | tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics | tourism, banking and finance, dairy |
Infant mortality rate | total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) |
total: 5.33 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2% (1992) | 4.7% (1998) |
International organization participation | ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC | - |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 50 (2000) | - |
Irrigated land | NA sq km | NA sq km |
Judicial branch | US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) | Royal Court (judges elected by an electoral college and the bailiff) |
Labor force | 49,000 (2002 est.) | 57,050 (1996) |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.) | - |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 6% other: 79% (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (2001) |
Languages | English (official), Spanish, Creole | English (official), French (official), Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts |
Legal system | based on US laws | English law and local statute; justice is administered by the Royal Court |
Legislative branch | unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected |
unicameral Assembly of the States (55 voting members - 12 senators (elected for 6-year terms), 12 constables or heads of parishes (elected for 3-year terms), 29 deputies (elected for 3-year terms); the bailiff and the deputy bailiff; and 3 non-voting members - the Dean of Jersey, the Attorney General, and the Solicitor General all appointed by the monarch)
elections: last held NA (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 52 |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 78.59 years
male: 74.73 years female: 82.68 years (2003 est.) |
total population: 79.09 years
male: 76.63 years female: 81.74 years (2004 est.) |
Literacy | definition: NA
total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA% |
definition: NA
total population: NA male: NA female: NA |
Location | Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico | Western Europe, island in the English Channel, northwest of France |
Map references | Central America and the Caribbean | Europe |
Maritime claims | exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM |
territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm |
Merchant marine | none (2002 est.) | - |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of the US | defense is the responsibility of the UK |
National holiday | Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) | Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) |
Nationality | noun: Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: Virgin Islander |
noun: Channel Islander(s)
adjective: Channel Islander |
Natural hazards | several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes | NA |
Natural resources | sun, sand, sea, surf | arable land |
Net migration rate | 0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) | 2.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Political parties and leaders | Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] | none; all independents |
Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | none |
Population | 124,778 (July 2003 est.) | 90,502 (July 2004 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA% | NA |
Population growth rate | 1.02% (2003 est.) | 0.36% (2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix | Gorey, Saint Aubin, Saint Helier |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) | AM NA, FM 1, shortwave 0 (1998) |
Railways | 0 km | - |
Religions | Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% | Anglican, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian |
Sex ratio | at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections | NA years of age; universal adult |
Telephone system | general assessment: NA
domestic: modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA |
general assessment: NA
domestic: NA international: 3 submarine cables |
Telephones - main lines in use | 65,000 (1997) | 73,900 (2001) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 2,000 (1992) | 61,400 (2001) |
Television broadcast stations | 2 (2002) | 2 (1997) |
Terrain | mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land | gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast |
Total fertility rate | 2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.) | 1.57 children born/woman (2004 est.) |
Unemployment rate | 4.9% (March 1999) | 0.7% (1998 est.) |
Waterways | none | - |