1990 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1990 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Coastline
80 km
Comparative area
about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
Continental shelf
200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
Environment
subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October
Exclusive fishing zone
200 nm;
Land use
20% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 33% meadows and pastures; 7% forest and woodland; 33% other
Natural resources
negligible
Note
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Terrain
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
150 km2; land area: 150 km2
People and Society
Birth rate
20 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate
5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Ethnic divisions
over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian origin
Infant mortality rate
14 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Labor force
4,911 (1980)
Language
English (official)
Life expectancy at birth
71 years male, 77 years female (1990)
Literacy
98%
Nationality
noun--British Virgin Islander(s); adjective--British Virgin Islander
Net migration rate
- 3 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Organized labor
NA
Population
12,258 (July 1990), growth rate 1.1% (1990)
Religion
majority Methodist; others include Anglican, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baptist, and Roman Catholic
Total fertility rate
2.2 children born/woman (1990)
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
Road Town
Communists
probably none
Constitution
1 June 1977
Diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Elections
Legislative Council--last held 30 September 1986 (next to be held by September 1991); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(9 total) UP 2, VIP 5, IPM 2
Executive branch
British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet)
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)
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Leaders
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor John Mark Ambrose HERDMAN (since NA 1986); Head of Government--Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986)
Legal system
English law
Legislative branch
unicameral Legislative Council
Long-form name
none
Member of
Commonwealth
National holiday
Territory Day, 1 July
Political parties and leaders
United Party (UP), Conrad Maduro; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity Stoutt; Independent People's Movement (IPM), Cyril B. Romney
Suffrage
universal at age 18
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Economy
Agriculture
livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables
Aid
NA
Budget
revenues $26.2 million; expenditures $25.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1988 est.)
Currency
US currency is used
Electricity
13,500 kW capacity; 59 million kWh produced, 4,870 kWh per capita (1989)
Exchange rates
US currency is used
Exports
$2.3 million (f.o.b., 1985); commodities--rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals; partners--Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
External debt
$4.5 million (1985)
Fiscal year
1 April-31 March
GDP
$106.7 million, per capita $8,900; real growth rate 2.5% (1987)
Imports
$72.0 million (c.i.f., 1985); commodities--building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery; partners--Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Industrial production
growth rate - 4.0% (1985)
Industries
tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.7% (January 1987)
Overview
The economy 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. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements.
Unemployment rate
NA%
Communications
Airports
3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways less than 1,220 m
Highways
106 km motorable roads (1983)
Ports
Road Town
Telecommunications
3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine cable communication links to Bermuda; stations--1 AM, no FM, 1 TV
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK