Country name
conventional long form : Virgin Islands of the United States
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies

Data code VQ

Dependency status organized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Officeof Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Government type NA

National capital Charlotte Amalie

Administrative divisions none (territory of the US)

National holiday Transfer Day, 31 March (1917) (from Denmark to US)

Constitution Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Legal system based on US laws

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizensbut do not vote in US presidential elections

Executive branch
chief of state : President of the US William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993);Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government: Governor Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER (since 5 January 1995) and LieutenantGovernor Kenneth E. MAPP (since 5 January 1995)
cabinet: NA
elections : governor and lieutenant governor of the Virgin Islands elected by popularvote for four-year terms; election last held 22 November 1994 (next to beheld NA November 1998)
election results: Dr. Roy L. SCHNEIDER elected governor of the Virgin Islands; percentof vote - Roy L. SCHNEIDER (ICM) 54.7%, former Lieutenant Governor Derek HODGE42.6%

Legislative branch unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote toserve two-year terms)
elections: last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 6, Democrats5, Republicans 2, Independent Citizens Movement 2
note: the Virgin Islands elects one representative to the US House of Representatives;elections last held 19 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998); results- Dr. Donna GREEN (ICM) 51.5%, Victor O. FRAZER (independent) 48.5%

Judicial branch US District Court, handles civil matters over $200,000, felonies (persons15 years of age and over), and federal cases; judges are appointed by thepresident; Territorial Court, handles civil matters of unlimited cash amount;felonies, small claims, juvenile, domestic, misdemeanors, and traffic cases;judges appointed by the governor

Political parties and leaders Democratic Party, Marilyn STAPLETON; Independent Citizens' Movement(ICM), Virdin C. BROWN; Republican Party, Charlotte-Poole DAVIS

International organization participation ECLAC (associate), IOC

Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US)

Flag description white with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the largeblue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olivebranch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shieldof vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel

NOTE: The information regarding Virgin Islands on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Virgin Islands Government 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Virgin Islands Government 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.