USD

$NA

Debt - external:

$NA

Currency (code):

US dollar (USD)

Currency code:

Exchange rates:

the US dollar is used

Communications
Virgin Islands

Telephones - main lines in use:

71,700 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular:

80,300 (2005)

Telephone system:

general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay domestic: full range of services available international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA

Radio broadcast stations:

AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2005)

Radios:

107,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations:

5 (2006)

Televisions:

68,000 (1997)

Internet country code:

.vi

Internet hosts:

4,610 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs):

50 (2000)

Internet users:

30,000 (2007)

Transportation
Virgin Islands

Airports:

2 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways:

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)

Roadways:

total: 1,257 km (2007)

Ports and terminals:

Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay

Military
Virgin Islands

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:

male: 861 female: 897 (2008 est.)

Military - note:

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues
Virgin Islands

Disputes - international:

none

This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008

@Wake Island

Introduction
Wake Island

Background:

The US annexed Wake Island in 1899 for a cable station. An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment.

Geography
Wake Island

Location:

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands

Geographic coordinates: