2007 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: 20.5% (male 2,403/female 2,331) 15-64 years: 74.3% (male 8,811/female 8,340) 65 years and over: 5.3% (male 636/female 577) (2006 est.)

0-14 years: 22.4% (male 12,261/female 12,056) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 34,174/female 37,949) 65 years and over: 11.2% (male 5,385/female 6,780) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle

Airports

3 (2006)

2 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

total

2 914 to 1,523 m: 1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)

Area

land

153 sq km

land

346 sq km

note

comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

total

153 sq km

total

1,910 sq km

water

0 sq km

water

1,564 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

twice the size of Washington, DC

Background

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872-1960; they were granted autonomy in 1967. 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

14.89 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

13.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$180.4 million; including capital expenditures of $33.8 million (2004)

expenditures

$NA

revenues

$204.7 million

revenues

$NA

Capital

geographic coordinates

18 27 N, 64 37 W

geographic coordinates

18 21 N, 64 56 W

name

Road Town

name

Charlotte Amalie

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

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

Coastline

80 km

188 km

Constitution

1 June 1977, amended in 2000

Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954

Country name

abbreviation

BVI

abbreviation

USVI

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 (code)

US dollar (USD)

US dollar (USD)

Currency code

USD

USD

Current account balance

$134.3 million (1999)

Death rate

4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

6.43 deaths/1,000 population (2006 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 8 February, 2007

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, made 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 US dollar as its currency since 1959.

Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands hosted 2.6 million visitors in 2005. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are small but growing components of the economy. The islands are vulnerable to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment.

Electricity - consumption

39.06 million kWh (2004)

911.4 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

42 million kWh (2004)

980 million kWh (2004)

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 475 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 76.2%, white 13.1%, Asian 1.1%, other 6.1%, mixed 3.5% (2000 census)

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 David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006)

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

John DeJONGH elected governor; percent of vote - John DeJONGH 57.3%, Kenneth MAPP 42.7%

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

under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as the Virgin Islands, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held 7 and 21 November 2006 (next to be held November 2010)

head of government

Chief Minister Dr. Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June 2003)

head of government

Governor John DeJONGH (since 1 January 2007)

Exports

$25.3 million (2002)

$4.234 billion (2001)

Exports - commodities

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

refined petroleum products

Exports - partners

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2004)

US, Puerto Rico (2004)

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

1.8%

agriculture

1%

industry

6.2%

industry

19%

services

92% (1996 est.)

services

80% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$38,500 (2004 est.)

$14,500 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2002 est.)

2% (2002 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$839.7 million (2003)

NA

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$853.4 million (2004 est.)

$1.577 billion (2004 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

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 makes it vulnerable to money laundering This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$187 million (2002 est.)

$4.609 billion (2001)

Imports - commodities

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials

Imports - partners

Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US (2004)

US, Puerto Rico (2004)

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

13.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

female

6.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

19.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male

8.93 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16.72 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.86 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2% (2005)

2.2% (2003)

International organization participation

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

IOC, UPU

Internet country code

.vg

.vi

Internet hosts

525 (2006)

3,855 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

16 (2000)

50 (2000)

Internet users

4,000 (2002) Transportation British Virgin Islands

30,000 (2002) Transportation Virgin Islands

Irrigated land

NA

NA

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); Superior Court of the Virgin Islands (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms)

Labor force

12,770 (2004)

43,980 (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

0.6%

agriculture

1%

industry

40%

industry

19%

services

59.4%

services

80% (2003 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

0 km

Land use

arable land

20%

arable land

5.71%

other

73.33% (2005)

other

91.43% (2005)

permanent crops

6.67%

permanent crops

2.86%

Languages

English (official)

English 74.7%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 16.8%, French or French Creole 6.6%, other 1.9% (2000 census)

Legal system

English law

based on US laws

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 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 4, independent 3

elections

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

elections

last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008)

note

the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2006 (next to be held November 2008); results - Donna M. CHRISTENSEN (Democrat) reelected

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.84 years (2006 est.)

female

83.09 years (2006 est.)

male

75.56 years

male

75.24 years

total population

76.68 years

total population

79.05 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA% Government British Virgin Islands

female

NA% (2005 est.) Government Virgin Islands

male

NA%

male

NA%

total population

97.8% (1991 est.)

total population

90-95% est.

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

Manpower available for military service

males age 18-49

6,410 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 18-49

5,295 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males age 18-49

201 (2005 est.)

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

31.2 years (2006 est.)

female

38 years (2006 est.)

male

31.6 years

male

36.2 years

total

31.4 years

total

37.1 years

Merchant marine

registered in other countries

1 (North Korea 1) (2006)

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) (US citizens)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

0 cu m (2004 est.)

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

9.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

-8.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

480 bbl/day (2004 est.)

115,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004)

17,110 bbl/day (2004 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

23,098 (July 2006 est.)

108,605 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

NA%

Population growth rate

1.97% (2006 est.)

-0.12% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Road Town Military British Virgin Islands

Charlotte Amalie, Limetree Bay Military Virgin Islands

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 0 (2004)

AM 6, FM 16, shortwave 0 (2006)

Radios

9,000 (1997)

107,000 (1997)

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%

Roadways

paved

177 km (2002)

total

177 km

total

1,257 km (2004)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.05 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.1 male(s)/female

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

18 years of age; universal; island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections

Telephone system

domestic

NA

domestic

full range of services available

general assessment

worldwide telephone service

general assessment

modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay

international

country code - 1-284; submarine cable to Bermuda

international

country code - 1-340; 2 submarine cable connections (Taino Carib, Americas-1); satellite earth stations - NA

Telephones - main lines in use

11,700 (2002)

70,900 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8,000 (2002)

64,200 (2004)

Television broadcast stations

1 (plus one cable company) (1997)

5 (2006)

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 (2006 est.)

2.17 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.6% (1997)

6.2% (2004)