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British
Virgin Islands - Country Profile
History
It is reported that Christopher Columbus sighted the islands
in 1493, on his second expedition to the New World. Overwhelmed
by their multitude, he christened the islands ‘Las
Once Mil Virgenes’ - in honor of St. Ursula and
the 11,000 maidens who sacrificed their lives in the 4th
Century Cologne. The Crest of St. Ursula is a national
symbol of the British Virgin Islands.
The islands were said to be inhabited by Caribs and Arawaks.
The Dutch established the first permanent European community
here in 1648. The earliest records referring to the presence
of enslaved Africans in the Virgin Islands begin in 1665,
when the first Dutchmen brought them their enslaved Africans
with them and whose intention was to make a permanent
settlement to cultivate sugar cane. In 1966 British planters
took over control of the island group from the original
Dutch settlers. The islands attained the status of British
colony and remained part of the Leeward Islands from 1872
until 1956, when the British Virgin Islands became a separately
administered entity. To preserve its close economic ties
with the US Virgin islands, the group did not join the
1958-1962 West Indies Federation of British islands. In
1967, the new Constitution provided for a ministerial
system of government headed by a Governor. The island
group remains under British sovereignty today. |
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Government
As a British Dependent Territory, the BVI offers all the
security and stability traditionally associated with the
British flag. The territory is responsible for its own
internal self-government and is governed by a democratically
elected Parliament and Cabinet.
The United Kingdom remains responsible for the territory’s
external affairs, defense, internal security, terms and
conditions of public officers and the administration of
the courts. These areas are the responsibilities of a
UK appointed Governor.
There is an Executive Council, with the Governor as Chairman,
which includes the Attorney General (ex-officio), the
Chief Minister (appointed by the Governor from those elected
to the Legislative Council to handle financial matters),
and three other ministers appointed by the Governor on
the advice of the Chief Minister.
The Legislative Council consists of the four ministers,
five district elected representatives and four at large
territorial elected representatives; led by an appointed
Speaker from outside the Council.
The Virgin Islands has an independent legal and judicial
system based on English Common Law, with a right of final
appeal to the Privy Council in England. This judicial
system is under the direction of the Eastern Caribbean
Supreme Court, which includes the High Court of Justice
and the Court of Appeal. Other bodies are the Magistrates’
Court, a Juvenile Court, and a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.
Elections are held at least once every four years
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Location
& Size
The British Virgin Islands is comprised of 36 islands
in the Caribbean Sea. Of the 36 islands 16 are inhabited.
Located 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, north of the Leeward
Islands, and adjacent to the U.S. Virgin Islands. The
principle islands are Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and
Jost Van Dyke.
Capital
Road Town, Tortola is the Capital.
Geography
The islands of the BVI are grouped around Sir Francis
Drake Channel, renowned as the most beautiful and tranquil
of sailing waters in the world.
Topography
A majestic terrain, mountains, rolling hills, lush green
valley’s, white sandy beaches, quiet coves and crystal
clear waters. Mt. Sage on Tortola rises to 1,780 Ft. Anegada,
a coral atoll, is only 28 feet above sea level.
Climate
Balmy trade winds provide a most comfortable, subtropical
environment. Temperatures are rarely below 77° or
rise above 90° in the summer.
Nationality
British Virgin Islanders are internally self-governed;
the BVI is a Territory of The United Kingdom
Official Language
English
Official Currency
US Dollar
Population
Total Population (May 1991 Estimate): 16,644
Average Annual Rate of Growth (1990): 3.02%
Reproductive Rate (1990) 20 per 1,000
Population Density: 109 per sq.km (282 per sq.mi.)
Adult Literacy Rate: 98%
Ethnic Divisions: Over 90% black of African descent; remainder
is of white and Asian origin
Economy
GDP (1990): US $170.5 million
Annual GDP Growth Rate (1987-1990): 8.6%
Per Capita GDP (1990): $10,214
Balance of Trade (1990 estimate):
Exports of Goods (FOB): US $3.9 million
Imports of Goods (CIF): US $147.2 million
Major Trading Partners: United States of America, US Virgin
Islands and Puerto Rico. |
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