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 12 November 1990 (next to be held by November
1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) VIP 6,
IPM 1, independents 2
Judicial branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders:
United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H.
Lavity STOUTT; Independent Progressive Movement (IPM), 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)
@British Virgin Islands, 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 equivalent - $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:
43 million kWh
consumption per capita:
3,510 kWh (1990)
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
Fiscal year:
1 April - 31 March
@British Virgin Islands, Communications
Highways:
total:
106 km (1983)
paved:
NA
unpaved:
NA
Ports:
Road Town
Airports:
total:
3
usable:
3
with permanent-surface runways:
2
with runways over 3,659 m:
0
with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
0
with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
0
Telecommunications:
3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine
cable communication links to Bermuda; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no
FM, 1 TV
@British Virgin Islands, Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
@Brunei, Geography
Location:
Southeastern Asia, on the northern coast of Borneo almost completely
surrounded by Malaysia
Map references:
Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World
Area:
total area:
5,770 sq km
land area:
5,270 sq km
comparative area:
slightly larger than Delaware
Land boundaries:
total 381 km, Malysia 381 km
Coastline:
161 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
may wish to purchase the Malaysian salient that divides the country;
all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam;
parts of them are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines; in 1984,
Brunei established an exclusive fishing zone that encompasses Louisa
Reef, but has not publicly claimed the island
Climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Terrain:
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas, timber
Land use:
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
1%
meadows and pastures:
1%
forest and woodland:
79%
other:
18%
Irrigated land:
10 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues:
NA
international agreements:
party to - Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not
ratified - Law of the Sea
natural hazards:
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Note:
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and
Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; almost an
enclave of Malaysia
@Brunei, People