BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (dependent territory of the UK) GEOGRAPHY Total area: 150 km2; land area: 150 km2 Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims: Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 3 nm 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% Environment: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico PEOPLE Population: 12,396 (July 1991), growth rate 1.1% (1991) Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1991) Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1991) Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1991) Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1991) Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 77 years female (1991) Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1991) Nationality: noun--British Virgin Islander(s); adjective--British Virgin Islander Ethnic divisions: black over 90%, remainder of white and Asian origin Religion: 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) Language: English (official) Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970) Labor force: 4,911 (1980) Organized labor: NA% of labor force GOVERNMENT Long-form name: none Type: dependent territory of the UK Capital: Road Town Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK) Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK) Constitution: 1 June 1977 Legal system: English law National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet) Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council 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) 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 Elections: Legislative Council--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, independent 2 Communists: probably none Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate) 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 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. GDP: $106.7 million, per capita $8,900; real growth rate 2.5% (1987) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.0% (1987) Unemployment rate: NEGL% Budget: revenues $32.8 million; expenditures $32.4 million, including capital expenditures of $6.3 million (FY90) 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 - 4.0% (1985) Electricity: 10,500 kW capacity; 43 million kWh produced, 3,510 kWh per capita (1990) Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables Economic aid: NA Currency: US currency is used Exchange rates: US currency is used Fiscal year: 1 April-31 March COMMUNICATIONS Highways: 106 km motorable roads (1983) Ports: Road Town Airports: 3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways less than 1,220 m Telecommunications: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine cable communication links to Bermuda; stations--1 AM, no FM, 1 TV DEFENSE FORCES Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK