BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
(dependent territory of the UK)
GEOGRAPHY
Total area: 150 km2; land area: 150 km2
Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline: 80 km
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
Natural resources: negligible
Land use: arable land 20%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures
33%; forest and woodland 7%; other 33%
Environment: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July
to October
Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
PEOPLE
Population: 12,396 (July 1991), growth rate 1.1% (1991)
Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1991)
Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1991)
Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1991)
Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)
Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 77 years female (1991)
Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1991)
Nationality: noun--British Virgin Islander(s); adjective--British
Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black over 90%, remainder of white and Asian
origin
Religion: 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)
Language: English (official)
Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over can
read and write (1970)
Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
Organized labor: NA% of labor force
GOVERNMENT
Long-form name: none
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July
Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief minister,
Executive Council (cabinet)
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Leaders:
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor John Mark Ambrose HERDMAN (since NA 1986);
Head of Government--Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986)
Political parties and leaders:
United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO;
Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT;
Independent People's Movement (IPM), Cyril B. ROMNEY
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections:
Legislative Council--last held 12 November 1990 (next to be
held by November 1995); results--percent of vote by party NA;
seats--(9 total) VIP 6, IPM 1, independent 2
Communists: probably none
Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC,
OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)
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 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. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural
activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet
food requirements.
GDP: $106.7 million, per capita $8,900; real growth rate 2.5%
(1987)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.0% (1987)
Unemployment rate: NEGL%
Budget: revenues $32.8 million; expenditures $32.4 million,
including capital expenditures of $6.3 million (FY90)
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 - 4.0% (1985)
Electricity: 10,500 kW capacity; 43 million kWh produced,
3,510 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete
block, offshore financial center
Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables
Economic aid: NA
Currency: US currency is used
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March
COMMUNICATIONS
Highways: 106 km motorable roads (1983)
Ports: Road Town
Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways
less than 1,220 m
Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone
service; submarine cable communication links to Bermuda; stations--1 AM,
no FM, 1 TV
DEFENSE FORCES
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK