Match 38 DB Rec# - 7,490 Dataset-WOFACT
Title :British Virgin Islands
Text :
British Virgin Islands
Header
Affiliation:
(dependent territory of the UK)
Geography
Location:
Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of
Puerto Rico
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
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
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Natural resources:
negligible
Land use:
arable land:
20%
permanent crops:
7%
meadows and pastures:
33%
forest and woodland:
7%
other:
33%
Irrigated land:
NA sq 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
Note:
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
People
Population:
13,027 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
NA
15-64 years:
NA
65 years and over:
NA
Population growth rate:
1.27% (1995 est.)
Birth rate:
20.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate:
6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate:
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
19.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
72.73 years
male:
70.88 years
female:
74.7 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.27 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective:
British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions:
black 90%, white, Asian
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)
Languages:
English (official)
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1970)
total population:
98%
male:
98%
female:
98%
Labor force:
4,911 (1980)
by occupation:
NA
Government
Names:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
British Virgin Islands
Abbreviation:
BVI
Digraph:
VI
Type:
dependent territory of the UK
Capital:
Road Town
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday:
Territory Day, 1 July
Constitution:
1 June 1977
Legal system:
English law
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
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
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Council:
election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held on NA February 2000);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP
2, independents 3
note:
legislature was expanded to 13 seats as of election on 20 February 1995
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity
STOUTT; Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY
Member of:
CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, OECS
(associate), UNESCO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
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)
Economy
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.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991)
National product real growth rate:
2% (1991)
National product per capita:
$10,600 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.5% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NEGL% (1992)
Budget:
revenues:
$51 million
expenditures:
$88 million, including capital expenditures of $38 million (1991)
Exports:
$2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities:
rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals
partners:
Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Imports:
$11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities:
building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
partners:
Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
External debt:
$4.5 million (1985)
Industrial production:
growth rate 4% (1985)
Electricity:
capacity:
10,500 kW
production:
50 million kWh
consumption per capita:
3,148 kWh (1993)
Industries:
tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore
financial center
Agriculture:
livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables
Economic aid:
$NA
Currency:
1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
US currency is used
Economy
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
Transportation
Railroads:
0 km
Highways:
total:
106 km (1983)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Road Town
Merchant marine:
none
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
Communications
Telephone system:
3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service
local:
NA
intercity:
NA
international:
submarine cable communication links to Bermuda
Radio:
broadcast stations:
AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
radios:
NA
Television:
broadcast stations:
1
televisions:
NA
Defense Forces
Note:
defense is the responsibility of the UK
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This publication is also available online from the CIA (http://www.odci.gov/cia) as 1995 World Factbook (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/95fact/index.html).
The printed version of this item can be found under the title:
The World Factbook 1995,
SuDoc No: PREX 3.15:995
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