Land use: arable land: 20% permanent crops: 7% permanent pastures: 33% forests and woodland: 7% other: 33% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

Environment-current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the islands' water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment)

Environment-international agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography-note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico

@British Virgin Islands:People

Population: 18,705 (July 1998 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 21% (male 2,008; female 1,957) 15-64 years: 74% (male 7,079; female 6,689) 65 years and over: 5% (male 535; female 437) (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.41% (1998 est.)