United States Virgin Islands
From HFA-PEDIA
Overseas Territory of the United States of America
Contents |
HFA National Reports
Preliminary national HFA progress report 2009-2011 (2010): Unreported
National HFA Progress Report 2007-2009 (2008): Unreported
National Report 2007: Unreported
National Report 2006: Unreported
National Report 2005: Unreported
National Report 2004: Unreported
National Platform:
Unreported
HFA National Focal Point:
Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA)
Tel: 1(340) 774-2244, Fax: 774-1491
Contact person:
Mark Walters, Director
E-mail: mark.walters@vitema.vi.gov
Country profile
Name: Conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands. Conventional short form: Virgin Islands. Former: Danish West Indies. Abbreviation: USVI.
Capital: Charlotte Amalie
Independence Day: none (territory of the US).
Population total: 108,448 (July 2007 est.)
Area: total: 1,910 sq km
Religions: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%
Language: English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census).
Ethnics Group: black 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census).
Government: Constitution-based federal republic; strong democratic tradition
Currency: US dollar.
Climate: Subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November.
Natural Hazards: Several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
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.
Administrative Division: 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
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.
Urban indicators
| Indicator | 2030 |
| Total population (thousands) | 103.5 |
| Population in urban (thousands) | 100.4 |
| Population in slums (thousands) | N/A |
| Population in urban areas (% of total population) | 97 |
| Population in slums (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Annual urban population growth rate (%) | N/A |
| Annual slum population growth rate (%) | N/A |
| Population with access to improved sanitation (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population with access to improved water (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population with sufficient living area (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population with durable structures (% of urban population) | N/A |
| Population in rural (thousands) | 3.1 |
- Source: UN-Habitat - The data presented here is extracted from UN-HABITAT's Global Urban Indicators database.
- The data is drawn from different sources and based on 2030 estimates.
Progress
HFA P1 - Institutional and legal framework
HFA P2 - Risk identification and EWS:
HFA P3 - Knowledge and education:
HFA P4 - Risk applications:
N/A
