:British Virgin Islands Geography

Total area:
    150 km2
Land area:
    150 km2; includes the island of Anegada
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
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%
Environment:
    subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October
Note:
    strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

:British Virgin Islands People

Population:
    12,555 (July 1992), growth rate 1.2% (1992)
Birth rate:
    20 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
    6 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
    --2 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
    20 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
    71 years male, 75 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
    2.3 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
    noun - British Virgin Islander(s); adjective - British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions:
    over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian origin
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:
    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

:British Virgin Islands 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 P. A.
    PENFOLD (since NA 1991)
  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 Progressive 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, independents 2
Member of:
    CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC, OECS, UNESCO (associate)
Diplomatic representation:
    none (dependent territory of 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)

:British Virgin Islands 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. Livestock raising is the most
    significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor
    soils, are unable to meet food requirements.
GDP:
    purchasing power equivalent - $130 million, per capita $10,600; real growth
    rate 6.3% (1990)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
    2.5% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
    NEGL%
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--4.0% (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

:British Virgin Islands 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; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV

:British Virgin Islands Defense Forces

Note:
    defense is the responsibility of the UK