Quick Facts - The British Virgin Islands
Christopher Columbus landed. Over the next few centuries, control of these islands slipped from the Spanish, to the Dutch and eventually to the English. A permanent Legislative Council was established in 1950 and a new constitution was implemented in 1966.
The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago (the remainder constituting the U.S.Virgin Islands). The British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, along with over 50 other smaller islands and cays. Around 15 of the islands are inhabited and the largest island, is Tortola which is approximately 12 miles (19 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide. The islands have a total population of about 22,000.
| Language: |
English |
| Government: |
Overseas territory of the UK; internal self-governing |
| Capital: | Road Town |
| Size: | Archipelago of 4 main islands and over 50 smaller islands and cays |
| Location: | Leeward Islands - 18 30 N, 64 30W |
| Sovereign: | Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) |
| Governor: | His Excellency David Pearey (2006) |
| Head of Government: | Premier Ralph T. O’Neal |
| Climate: | 75 - 84°F |
| Electricity: | 110 Volts AC |
| Currency: | U.S. Dollar |
| Driving: | On left, license required |
| Rentals: | Car, jeeps, boats |
| Airports/Seaports: | Terrence B. Lettsome Airport Road Harbour - Tortola, West End Harbour - Tortola, Great Harbour - Jost Van Dyke and St. Thomas Bay - Virgin Gorda |
| Entry: | Passport and return or onward ticket required. |
| Online Newspaper(s): |
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/ |
