|
Location:
|
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
|
Geographic coordinates:
|
18 20 N, 64 50 W |
|
Area:
|
total: 352 sq
km
water: 3 sq km
land: 349 sq km |
|
Climate:
|
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade
winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy
season May to November |
|
Terrain:
|
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous
with little level land |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m |
|
Natural resources:
|
sun, sand, sea, surf |
|
Land use:
|
arable land:
11.76%
permanent crops: 2.94%
other: 85.29% (2001) |
|
Irrigated land:
|
NA sq km |
|
Natural hazards:
|
several hurricanes in recent years;
frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes |
|
Environment - current issues:
|
lack of natural freshwater resources
|
|
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 |
|
Economy - overview:
|
Tourism is the primary economic activity,
accounting for 80% of GDP and 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, to support construction projects in
the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to
protect the environment. |
|
Labor force:
|
48,900 (2003 est.) |
|
Labor force - by occupation:
|
agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80%
(2003 est.) |
|
Unemployment rate:
|
9.3% (2003 est.) |
|
Budget:
|
revenues:
$560
expenditures: NA (2003) |
|
Agriculture - products:
|
fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
|
|
Industries:
|
tourism, petroleum refining, watch
assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles,
electronics |
|
Exports - commodities:
|
refined petroleum products |
|
Exports - partners:
|
US, Puerto Rico |
|
Imports - commodities:
|
crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods,
building materials |
|
Imports - partners:
|
US, Puerto Rico |
|
Currency:
|
US dollar (USD) |