British Virgin Islands Territory Profile

The following is a comprehensive profile of the British Virgin Islands Territory. This information is subject to change over time, and as such, should not be relied upon.

Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Geographic Coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W.

Area and Composition: Comprised of 46 islands, with an aggregate land area of 56 square miles. The largest and principal inhabited islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

Land boundaries: None.

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea : 3 nm

Climate: Subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds.

Terrain: Coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly.

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Sage Mountain 521 m

Environmental issues: Limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment). This is being addressed in part by the increasing use of desalination techniques.

Geography - Note: Strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

British Virgin Islands -- People

Population: 19,000 (1997 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.32% (1997 est.)

Birth rate: 20.13 births/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Death rate: 6.03 deaths/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Net migration rate: -0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1997 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 18.99 deaths/1,000 live births (1997 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.83 years
male: 70.99 years
female: 74.8 years (1997 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.25 children born/woman (1997 est.)

Nationality:
noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander

Languages: English (official)

Literacy:
definition: Age 15 and over can read and write.
total population : 97.8% (1991 est.)

British Virgin Islands -- Government

Country name:
conventional: British Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI

Data code: VI

Dependency status: Dependent territory of the UK.

National capital: Road Town, Tortola

National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July

Constitution: 1 June 1977

Legal system: English Common Law, subject to local statutes, ordinances and regulations, and, to a limited extent, UK statues on international matters.

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal.

Executive branch:
Chief of state: Queen Elizabeth II of the UK (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Francis J. Savage, CMG, LVO, OBE (since July 1998).
Head of government: Chief Minister Hon. Ralph T. O'NEAL, OBE (since 15 May 1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity Stoutt).
Cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the Governor from members of the Legislative Council.

Legislative branch: Unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of 9 electoral districts, 4 at large members). Elections last held 20 February 1995.

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, two judges of the Supreme Court are resident in the islands and preside over the High Court. A locally appointed Magistrate presides over the Magistrates Court.

International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)

Flag description: 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).

British Virgin Islands -- Economy

Economy - overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on both tourism and financial services. In 1985, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation and other fees now generate substantial revenues. The financial services industry contributed approximately $63 million, or 51.8% of total government revenues in 1997. Because of traditional close links with the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands have used the dollar as their currency since 1959.

Budget:
revenues: $127.3 million (projected 1998/9)
expenditures: $108.4 million (projected 1998/9)
reserves: $36 million (1998 est.)

Industries: tourism, offshore financial center, light industry, construction.

Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Exchange rates: U.S. currency is used; no restrictions on currency exchange and movement.

Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March

British Virgin Islands -- Communications

Telephones: 6,291 (1990 est.)

Telephone system: worldwide telephone service

Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1995)

Radios: 9,000 (1992 est.)

Television stations: 1 (Cable TV)

Televisions: 4,000 (1992 est.)

British Virgin Islands -- Transportation

Railways: 0 km

Highways:
total: 113 km (1995 est.)

Ports and harbors: Road Town, Tortola

Airports: 2 (Principal International Airport; Beef Island)

British Virgin Islands -- Military

Military - note: Defense is the responsibility of the UK.

British Virgin Islands - Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: none