The Virgin Islands of the United States (pop.121,000 in 2000), 133 sq mi (344 sq km), are a U.S. territory. During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. The U.S. purchased the Danish territory in 1917 for $25 million because of the strategic position in the Angenda Passage, a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal. Unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior. A governor and senate are locally elected. Since 1927, residents have enjoyed U.S. citizenship, and since 1973 they have been represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by a nonvoting delegate.

GOVERNMENT
Country name (conventional long form): United States Virgin Islands
Capital: Charlotte Amalie
House of Representatives: Congressional Delegate

ECONOMY
GDP: purchasing power parity - $1.8 billion (2000 est.)
Agriculture: Fruit, vegetables, sorghu, Senepol cattle
Industry: Tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics