Virgin Islands

Fact Sheet :

- Area : 352 sq km

- Population : 108,448 (July 2007 est.)

- Capital : Charlotte Amalie

- Languages :

English (official), Spanish, Creole

- Currency : US dollar (USD)

- Dependency status :

organized, unincorporated territory of the US

- Elements of 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.

- Climate :

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November