<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: British Virgin Islands<nl>Government</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> none
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> British Virgin Islands
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<item><hi format=bold>Abbreviation:</hi> BVI
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> VI
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> dependent territory of the UK
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Road Town
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Territory Day, 1 July
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 1 June 1977
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> English law
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Peter Alfred PENFOLD (since 14 October 1991)
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA September 1986)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Executive Council; appointed by the governor
<item><hi format=bold>Legislative Council:</hi> 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
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT; Independent Progressive Movement (IPM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>US diplomatic representation:</hi> none (dependent territory of the UK)
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> 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)