Caribbean, Leeward Islands.

GMT - 4.

347.1 sq km (134 sq miles).

108,708 (2005 estimate).

313.18 per sq km.

Charlotte Amalie (St Thomas). Population: 18,914 (2005).

The islands are situated 64km (40 miles) east of Puerto Rico and comprise some 50 islands covered with lush tropical vegetation. St Thomas is long and narrow, rising abruptly to a ridge with an excellent deep-water harbour. St John is covered partly in bay forests. St Croix consists of 215 sq km (83 sq miles) of rolling ex-plantation land.

US External Territory (Unincorporated). Gained a measure of self-government in 1954. Although US Virgin Islands residents are US citizens, they cannot vote in presidential elections – one elected delegate represents the islands in the US House of Representatives. The 1954 Organic Act created an elected 15-member Senate for the islands. Since 1970, executive authority has been vested in an elected governor who serves a four-year term.

President George W Bush since 2001.

Governor John de Jongh since 2006.

De Jongh unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2002 (receiving the second highest amount of votes out of eight candidates) as an independent candidate. He won the governorship in the 2006 general election after defeating Kenneth Mapp in a run-off election, with over 57% of the vote. De Jongh held the support of the business community, among others, and the expectations of the people for a competently-run public-private partnership in the years to come. De Jongh took the oath of office on 1 January 2007 to become the 7th elected Governor of the US Virgin Islands. Prior to this, he had never served in elective office.

English is the official language. Spanish and Creole are also widely spoken.

Christian, mainly Protestant.

120 volts AC, 60Hz.

The US Virgin Islanders are overwhelmingly friendly and helpful and the pace of life is very relaxed. Shaking hands is the normal form of greeting and the appropriate time of day (good morning/afternoon/evening) is usually uttered at every encounter. Politeness and courtesy is expected. Dress is informal for most occasions apart from the formal requirements of some hotels.