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| Independence Year : Population : 93000 Life Expectancy : 78.1 Capital : 4067 GNP : 0.00 GNP Old : 0.00 Local Name : Virgin Islands of the United States Government Form : US Territory Location : Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. Terrain : Mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land Climate : subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November. Ethnic Group : black 75%, white 13%, Asian 2%, other 6%, mixed 4% Religions : Baptist, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian Official Website :www.usvitourism.vi | 
Genral Information - Virgin Islands, U.S.
Background
The U.S. Virgin Islands are located in the eastern Caribbean, just 1100 miles southeast of Miami. 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. Today tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year, many of whom visit on cruise ships. |
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