2017 Edition

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. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Tortola. An estimated 80% of residential and business structures were destroyed or damaged, communications disrupted, and local roads rendered impassable.

Area

151 sq km 151 sq km 0 sq km comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke

land

151 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

151 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

Coastline

80 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Sage 521 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mount Sage 521 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola; most of the islands' water supply comes from desalination plants

Geographic coordinates

18 30 N, 64 30 W

Geography - note

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

46.7% arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 6.7%; permanent pasture 33.3% 24.3% 29% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

46.7%

forest

24.3%

other

29% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

3 nm 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Natural resources

NEGL; pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism

Population - distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations

Terrain

coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly

Age structure

16.7% (male 2,877/female 2,971) 13.37% (male 2,243/female 2,437) 49.37% (male 8,116/female 9,170) 11.6% (male 1,975/female 2,086) 8.97% (male 1,522/female 1,618) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

16.7% (male 2,877/female 2,971)

15-24 years

13.37% (male 2,243/female 2,437)

25-54 years

49.37% (male 8,116/female 9,170)

55-64 years

11.6% (male 1,975/female 2,086)

65 years and over

8.97% (male 1,522/female 1,618) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

11.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 98% of population rural: 98% of population total: 98% of population urban: 2% of population rural: 2% of population total: 2% of population (2010 est.)

rural

2% of population

total

2% of population (2010 est.)

urban

2% of population

Education expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

African/black 76.3%, Latino 5.5%, white 5.4%, mixed 5.3%, Indian 2.1%, East Indian 1.6%, other 3%, unspecified 0.8% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

13.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

78.8 years 77.4 years 80.3 years (2017 est.)

female

80.3 years (2017 est.)

male

77.4 years

total population

78.8 years

Major urban areas - population

ROAD TOWN (capital) 13,000 (2014)

Median age

36.5 years 36.3 years 36.6 years (2017 est.)

female

36.6 years (2017 est.)

male

36.3 years

total

36.5 years

Nationality

British Virgin Islander(s) British Virgin Islander

adjective

British Virgin Islander

noun

British Virgin Islander(s)

Net migration rate

16.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

35,015 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations

Population growth rate

2.25% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 70.2% (Methodist 17.6%, Church of God 10.4%, Anglican 9.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 9.0%, Pentecostal 8.2%, Baptist 7.4%, New Testament Church of God 6.9%, other Protestant 1.2%), Roman Catholic 8.9%, Jehovah's Witness 2.5%, Hindu 1.9%, other 6.2%, none 7.9%, unspecified 2.4% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.5% of population rural: 97.5% of population total: 97.5% of population urban: 2.5% of population rural: 2.5% of population total: 2.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

2.5% of population

total

2.5% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years NA NA (2015)

female

NA (2015)

male

NA

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

0.97 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.92 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.89 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.95 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.29 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

46.8% of total population (2017) 1.63% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.63% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

46.8% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

Road Town 18 25 N, 64 37 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 25 N, 64 37 W

name

Road Town

time difference

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

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (2016)

Country name

none British Virgin Islands BVI the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

abbreviation

BVI

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

British Virgin Islands

etymology

the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gus JASPERT (since 22 August 2017) Premier Orlando SMITH (since 9 November 2011) Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

cabinet

Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Gus JASPERT (since 22 August 2017)

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor

head of government

Premier Orlando SMITH (since 9 November 2011)

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); the islands were named by COLUMBUS in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her 11 virgin followers (some sources say 11,000) who reputedly were martyred by the Huns in the 4th or 5th century; the figure on the banner holding a lamp represents the saint; the other lamps symbolize her followers

Government type

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 3 on the British Virgin Islands Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 Magistrates' Courts

highest court(s)

the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside at the member states with 3 on the British Virgin Islands

judge selection and term of office

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts

Magistrates' Courts

Legal system

English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral House of Assembly (13 seats; 9 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Assembly includes the attorney general, a non-voting ex officio member last held on 8 June 2015 (next to be held in 2019) percent of vote by party - NDP 60.2%, VIP 30.2%, other 9.6%; seats by party - NDP 11, VIP 2

description

unicameral House of Assembly (13 seats; 9 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies and 4 at-large seats by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - the Assembly includes the attorney general, a non-voting ex officio member

election results

percent of vote by party - NDP 60.2%, VIP 30.2%, other 9.6%; seats by party - NDP 11, VIP 2

elections

last held on 8 June 2015 (next to be held in 2019)

National anthem

as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

note

as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Territory Day, 1 July (1956)

National symbol(s)

zenaida dove, white cedar flower; national colors: yellow, green, red, white, blue

zenaida dove, white cedar flower; national colors

yellow, green, red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH] Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Julian FRASER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Family Support Network or FSN Office of Gender Affairs or ODA (formerly Woman's Desk) environmentalists

other

environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

Budget

$300 million $400 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$400 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$300 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-9.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance

$362.6 million (2011 est.) $279.8 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$36.1 million (1997)

Economy - overview

The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2008. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. 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.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$23 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

68.9% 8.9% 25% 0% 91.8% -94.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

91.8%

government consumption

8.9%

household consumption

68.9%

imports of goods and services

-94.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1% 11.2% 87.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1%

industry

11.2%

services

87.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$42,300 (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.3% (2010 est.) -0.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.095 billion (2008)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$500 million (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$210 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.1% (2016 est.) 0.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

12,770 (2004)

Labor force - by occupation

0.6% 40% 59.4% (2005)

agriculture

0.6%

industry

40%

services

59.4% (2005)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

27.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

8.7% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

200,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

631.5 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

658.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

48,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

126 million kWh (2015 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,209 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

1 private TV station; multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services; about a half-dozen private radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.vg

Internet users

14,600 43.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

43.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

14,600

Telephone system

good overall telephone service fixed-line connections exceed 35 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100 persons country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2015)

domestic

fixed-line connections exceed 35 per 100 persons and mobile cellular subscribership is roughly 125 per 100 persons

general assessment

good overall telephone service

international

country code - 1-284; connected via submarine cable to Bermuda; the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable provides connectivity to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

12,000 36 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

36 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

12,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

42,000 126 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

126 (July 2016 est.)

total

42,000

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-L (2016)

National air transport system

3 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

3 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1

Ports and terminals

Road Harbor

major seaport(s)

Road Harbor

Roadways

200 km 200 km (2007)

paved

200 km (2007)

total

200 km

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering