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Virgin Islands:
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Other pages in this profile of the Virgin Islands:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Definition 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. |
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Location |
Definition Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
Geographic coordinates |
Definition 18 20 N, 64 50 W |
Map references |
Definition Central America and the Caribbean |
Area |
Definition - World rank and map total: 1,910 sq km land: 346 sq km water: 1,564 sq km |
Area - comparative |
Definition twice the size of Washington, DC |
Land boundaries |
Definition 0 km |
Coastline |
Definition 188 km |
Maritime claims |
Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate |
Definition subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November |
Terrain |
Definition mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land |
Elevation extremes |
Definition lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m |
Natural resources |
Definition sun, sand, sea, surf |
Land use |
Definition - World rank and map arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 2.86% other: 91.43% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
Definition NA |
Natural hazards |
Definition several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes |
Environment - current issues |
Definition lack of natural freshwater resources |
Geography - note |
Definition 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |