2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas

Age structure

0-14 years: 21.9% (male 2,401; female 2,358) 15-64 years: 73.1% (male 8,181; female 7,709) 65 years and over: 5% (male 578; female 503) (2003 est.)

0-14 years: 26% (male 16,685; female 15,794) 15-64 years: 64.4% (male 36,241; female 44,157) 65 years and over: 9.5% (male 5,078; female 6,823) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Airports

3 (2002)

2 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total

2 914 to 1,523 m: 1

total

2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2002) Military Virgin Islands

under 914 m

1 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2002) Military British Virgin Islands

Area

land

153 sq km

land

349 sq km

note

comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the island of Anegada

total

153 sq km

total

352 sq km

water

0 sq km

water

3 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

twice the size of Washington, DC

Background

First settled by the Dutch in 1648, the islands were annexed in 1672 by the English. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; the US dollar is the legal currency. Geography British Virgin Islands

During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. Geography Virgin Islands

Birth rate

15 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

15.8 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$115.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997)

expenditures

$364.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1990 est.)

revenues

$121.5 million

revenues

$364.4 million

Capital

Road Town

Charlotte Amalie

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November

Coastline

80 km

188 km

Constitution

1 June 1977

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Country name

abbreviation

BVI

conventional long form

none

conventional long form

United States Virgin Islands

conventional short form

British Virgin Islands

conventional short form

Virgin Islands

former

Danish West Indies

Currency

US dollar (USD)

US dollar (USD)

Currency code

USD

USD

Death rate

4.46 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

5.68 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$36.1 million (1997)

$NA

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

none (territory of the US)

Disputes - international

none

none This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Economic aid - recipient

NA%

$NA

Economy - overview

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. An estimated 350,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 1998. Tourism suffered in 2002 because of the lackluster US economy. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. 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 traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the dollar as its currency since 1959.

Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for more than 70% of GDP and 70% of employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, support construction projects in the private sector, expand tourist facilities, reduce crime, and protect the environment.

Electricity - consumption

35.43 million kWh (2001)

957.9 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

38.1 million kWh (2001)

1.03 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mount Sage 521 m

highest point

Crown Mountain 474 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Environment - current 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 catchments)

lack of natural freshwater resources

Ethnic groups

black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and mixed

black 78%, white 10%, other 12%

note

West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2%

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

the US dollar is used

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council

cabinet

NA

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002)

chief of state

President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (Since 20 January 2001)

election results

Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4%

elections

none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor

elections

US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006)

head of government

Chief Minister Orlando SMITH (since 17 June 2003)

head of government

Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) and Lieutenant Governor Vargrave RICHARDS (since NA January 2003)

Exports

$25.3 million (2002)

$NA

Exports - commodities

rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals; gravel, sand

refined petroleum products

Exports - partners

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

US, Puerto Rico

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March Communications British Virgin Islands

1 October - 30 September Communications Virgin Islands

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) Economy British Virgin Islands

white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel Economy Virgin Islands

GDP

purchasing power parity - $320 million (2002 est.)

purchasing power parity - $2.4 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

1.8%

agriculture

NA%

industry

6.2%

industry

NA%

services

92% (1996 est.)

services

NA%

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $16,000 (2002 est.)

purchasing power parity - $19,000 (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2002 est.)

2% (2001 est.)

Geographic coordinates

18 30 N, 64 30 W

18 20 N, 64 50 W

Geography - note

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico People British Virgin Islands

important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean People Virgin Islands

Government type

NA

NA

Highways

note

the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000)

paved

177 km

paved

NA km

total

177 km

total

856 km

unpaved

0 km (2000)

unpaved

NA km

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA%

NA%

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$187 million (2002 est.)

$NA

Imports - commodities

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Imports - partners

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

US, Puerto Rico

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Industrial production growth rate

NA

NA%

Industries

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

tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics

Infant mortality rate

female

15.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

female

7.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

21.86 deaths/1,000 live births

male

10.12 deaths/1,000 live births

total

18.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

9 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.5% (2002)

2% (1992)

International organization participation

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

ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC

Internet country code

.vg

.vi

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

16 (2000)

50 (2000)

Internet users

NA Transportation British Virgin Islands

12,000 (2000) Transportation Virgin Islands

Irrigated land

NA sq km

NA sq km

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)

Labor force

4,911 (1980)

49,000 (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

agriculture 1%, industry 20%, services 79% (1990 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

0 km

Land use

arable land

20%

arable land

15%

other

73.33% (1998 est.)

other

79% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

6.67%

permanent crops

6%

Languages

English (official)

English (official), Spanish, Creole

Legal system

English law

based on US laws

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms)

unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Democratic Party 8, ICM NA, no party affiliation NA

elections

last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

elections

last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004)

note

the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.1 years (2003 est.)

female

82.68 years (2003 est.)

male

75.07 years

male

74.73 years

total population

76.06 years

total population

78.59 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

definition

NA

female

NA% Government British Virgin Islands

female

NA% Government Virgin Islands

male

NA%

male

NA%

total population

97.8% (1991 est.)

total population

NA%

Location

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

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 NM

exclusive fishing zone

200 NM

territorial sea

3 NM

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

30.4 years (2002)

female

33.7 years (2002)

male

31 years

male

28.6 years

total

30.7 years

total

31.2 years

Merchant marine

none (2002 est.)

ships by type

cargo 1 (2002 est.)

total

1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 19,203 GRT/28,864 DWT

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK Transnational Issues British Virgin Islands

defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues Virgin Islands

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July

Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917)

Nationality

adjective

British Virgin Islander

adjective

Virgin Islander

noun

British Virgin Islander(s)

noun

Virgin Islander(s)

Natural hazards

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes

Natural resources

NEGL

sun, sand, sea, surf

Net migration rate

10.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

0.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

420 bbl/day (2001 est.)

66,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

NA (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

NA

Population

21,730 (July 2003 est.)

124,778 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

NA%

Population growth rate

2.1% (2003 est.)

1.02% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Road Town

Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)

AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002)

Radios

9,000 (1997)

107,000 (1997)

Railways

0 km

0 km

Religions

Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%, other 2% (1991)

Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.06 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

total population

0.87 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.15 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Telephone system

domestic

NA

domestic

modern, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

general assessment

worldwide telephone service

general assessment

NA

international

submarine cable to Bermuda

international

submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA

Telephones - main lines in use

10,000 (1996)

65,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

NA

2,000 (1992)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus one cable company) (1997)

2 (2002)

Televisions

4,000 (1997)

68,000 (1997)

Terrain

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land

Total fertility rate

1.72 children born/woman (2003 est.)

2.22 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

3% (1995)

4.9% (March 1999)

Waterways

none

none