1994 Edition

Abbreviation

BVI

Administrative divisions

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Affiliation

(dependent territory of the UK)

(territory of the US)

Agriculture

livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables

Airports

total: 3 usable: 3 with permanent-surface runways: 2 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: with runways 1,220-2,439 m:

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

Birth rate

20.31 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Budget

revenues: $51 million expenditures: $88 million, including capital expenditures of $38 million (1991)

Capital

Road Town

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Coastline

80 km

Constitution

1 June 1977

Currency

1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

Death rate

6.09 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Digraph

VI

Diplomatic representation in US

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Economic aid

$NA

Electricity

capacity: 10,500 kW production: 43 million kWh consumption per capita: 3,510 kWh (1990)

Environment

current issues: NA natural hazards: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) international agreements: NA

Ethnic divisions

black 90%, white, Asian

Exchange rates

US currency is used

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

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

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)

Highways

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

Imports

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

Independence

none (dependent territory of the UK)

Industrial production

growth rate 4% (1985)

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

19.51 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (1990 est.)

International disputes

none

Irrigated land

NA sq km

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

Labor force

4,911 (1980) by occupation: NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

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

Languages

English (official)

Legal system

English law

Legislative branch

unicameral

Legislative Council

election 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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.67 years male: 70.83 years female: 74.65 years (1994 est.)

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1970) total population: 98% male: 98% female: 98%

Location

Caribbean, in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 110 km east of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm

Member of

CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)

Names

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

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July

National product

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $133 million (1991)

National product per capita

$10,600 (1991)

National product real growth rate

2% (1991)

Nationality

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

Natural resources

negligible

Net migration rate

-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Note

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

defense is the responsibility of the UK

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.

Political parties and leaders

United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT; Independent Progressive Movement (IPM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY

Population

12,864 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate

1.24% (1994 est.)

Ports

Road Town

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)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunications

3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine cable communication links to Bermuda; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV

Terrain

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Total fertility rate

2.27 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Type

dependent territory of the UK

Unemployment rate

NEGL% (1992)

US diplomatic representation

none (dependent territory of the UK)