British Virgin Islands

Defense note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

Radios

9,000 (1992 est.)

Telephone system

worldwide telephone service domestic: NA international: submarine cable to Bermuda

Telephones

6,291 (1990 est.)

Television broadcast stations

1

Televisions

4,000 (1992 est.) Defense

Agriculture

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Budget

revenues: $77.1 million expenditures: $76.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93/94)

Currency

1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Economic aid

$NA

Economic overview

The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. In 1985, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. Because of traditional close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands have used the dollar as their currency since 1959.

Electricity

capacity: 10,500 kW production: 50 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates

US currency is used

Exports

$2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988) commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

External debt

$4.5 million (1985)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP

purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991 est.)

GDP composition by sector

agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%

GDP per capita

$10,600 (1991 est.)

GDP real growth rate

2% (1991 est.)

Imports

$11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988) commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

Industrial production growth rate

4% (1985)

Industries

tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (1990 est.)

Labor force

4,911 (1980) by occupation: NA

Unemployment rate

NEGL% (1992)

Area

total area: 150 sq km land area: 150 sq km comparative area: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC note: includes the island of Anegada

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Coastline

80 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

Geographic coordinates

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Geographic note

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land: 20% permanent crops: 7% meadows and pastures: 33% forest and woodland: 7% other: 33%

Location

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

Administrative divisions

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Capital

Road Town

Constitution

1 June 1977

Data code

VI

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor David MACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) who was appointed by the queen head of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT) was appointed by the governor from among the members of the Legislative Council cabinet: Executive Council is appointed by the governor

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)

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

Legal system

English law

Legislative Council

election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3

Legislative branch

unicameral

Name of country

conventional long form: none conventional short form: British Virgin Islands abbreviation: BVI

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July

Political parties and leaders

United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP); Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Type of government

dependent territory of the UK

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Age structure

0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA

Birth rate

20.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate

6.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic divisions

black 90%, white, Asian

Infant mortality rate

19.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.78 years male: 70.93 years female: 74.75 years (1996 est.)

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.) total population: 97.8% male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality

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

Net migration rate

-1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population

13,195 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate

1.29% (1996 est.)

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)

Sex ratio

at birth: NA male(s)/female under 15 years: NA male(s)/female 15-64 years: NA male(s)/female 65 years and over: NA male(s)/female all ages: NA male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)

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 (1995 est.)

Highways

total: 106 km (1983 est.) paved: NA km unpaved: NA km

Merchant marine

none (1995 est.)

Ports

Road Town

Railways

0 km