Introduction - Virgin Islands: |
Location - Virgin Islands: |
Location | Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
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Geographic coordinates | 18 20 N, 64 50 W |
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Map references | Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area | total: 1,910 sq km
land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km |
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Area comparative | twice the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries | 0 km |
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Coastline | 188 km |
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Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
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Climate | subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November |
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Terrain | mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land |
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Elevation extremes | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 475 m |
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Natural resources | sun, sand, sea, surf |
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Land use | arable land: 5.71%
permanent crops: 2.86%
other: 91.43% (2005) |
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Irrigated land | NA |
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Natural hazards | several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes |
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Environment current issues | lack of natural freshwater resources |
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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 |
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People - Virgin Islands: |
Government - Virgin Islands: |
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This page was last updated on 16 September, 2007