BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Geography People Government Economy Transportation Communications Defense Forces
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) @British Virgin Islands:Geography Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total area: 150 sq km land area: 150 sq km comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes the island of Anegada Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm International disputes: none Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly Natural resources: negligible Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 33% forest and woodland: 7% other: 33% Irrigated land: NA sq km Environment: current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the island's water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment) natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) international agreements: NA Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico @British Virgin Islands:People Population: 13,027 (July 1995 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA Population growth rate: 1.27% (1995 est.) Birth rate: 20.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.) Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.) Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.73 years male: 70.88 years female: 74.7 years (1995 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.27 children born/woman (1995 est.) Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s) adjective: British Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: black 90%, white, Asian Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981) Languages: English (official) Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98% Labor force: 4,911 (1980) by occupation: NA @British Virgin Islands:Government Names: conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands Abbreviation: BVI Digraph: VI Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July Constitution: 1 June 1977 Legal system: English law Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Peter Alfred PENFOLD (since 14 October 1991) head of government: Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA September 1986) cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the governor Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held on NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3 note: legislature was expanded to 13 seats as of election on 20 February 1995 Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY Member of: CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK) US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK) Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) Economy Overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which generates about 21% of the national income. In 1985 the government offered offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and, in consequence, incorporation fees generated about $2 million in 1987. The economy slowed in 1991 because of the poor performances of the tourist sector and tight commercial bank credit. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements. National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991) National product real growth rate: 2% (1991) National product per capita: $10,600 (1991) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.) Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992) Budget: revenues: $51 million expenditures: $88 million, including capital expenditures of $38 million (1991) Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US External debt: $4.5 million (1985) Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1985) Electricity: capacity: 10,500 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: $NA Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March @British Virgin Islands:Transportation Railroads: 0 km Highways: total: 106 km (1983) paved: NA unpaved: NA Ports: Road Town Merchant marine: none Airports: total: 3 with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 1 with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1 @British Virgin Islands:Communications Telephone system: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service local: NA intercity: NA international: submarine cable communication links to Bermuda Radio: broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0 radios: NA Television: broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA @British Virgin Islands:Defense Forces Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK ________________________________________________________________________