Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/35.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 8KB | 266 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\brit_vi.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"British Virgin Islands"}
{4}(dependent territory of the UK)



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of the British Virgin Islands, click {z,"-67.911357,15.322167,-61.255560,20.570339",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto
Rico

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 150 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 150 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
{3}note:{4} includes the island of Anegada

{2}Land boundaries:{4} 0 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 80 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
{3}territorial sea:{4} 3 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} none

{2}Climate:{4} subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds

{2}Terrain:{4} coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
{3}lowest point:{4} Caribbean Sea 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Mount Sage 521 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} NEGL

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 20%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 7%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 33%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 7%
{3}other:{4} 33%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} NA sq km

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} limited natural fresh water resources (except for a few seasonal streams and
springs on Tortola, most of the island's water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment)

{2}natural hazards:{4} hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

{2}international agreements:{4} NA

{2}Geographic note:{4} strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 13,195 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} NA
{3}15-64 years:{4} NA
{3}65 years and over:{4} NA

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 1.29% (1996 est.)

{2}Birth rate:{4} 20.19 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 6.05 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} -1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} NA male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} NA male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} NA male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} NA male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} NA male(s)/female

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 19.16 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 72.78 years
{3}male:{4} 70.93 years
{3}female:{4} 74.75 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} British Virgin Islander(s)
{3}adjective:{4} British Virgin Islander

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} black 90%, white, Asian

{2}Religions:{4} 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)

{2}Languages:{4} English (official)

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 97.8%
{3}male:{4} NA%
{3}female:{4} NA%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} none
{3}conventional short form:{4} British Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI

{2}Type of government:{4} dependent territory of the UK

{2}Capital:{4} Road Town

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} none (dependent territory of the UK)

{2}Independence:{4} none (dependent territory of the UK)

{2}National holiday:{4} Territory Day, 1 July

{2}Constitution:{4} 1 June 1977

{2}Legal system:{4} English law

{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6 February 1952), hereditary
monarch, is represented by Governor David MACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) who was
appointed by the queen
{3}head of government:{4} Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995; appointed after the
death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT) was appointed by the governor from among the
members of the Legislative Council
{3}cabinet:{4} Executive Council is appointed by the governor

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be held NA February 2000);
results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3

{2}Judicial branch:{4} Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP);
Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY

{2}International organization participation:{4} Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol
(subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4} none (dependent territory of the UK)

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4} none (dependent territory of the UK)

{2}Flag:{4} 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)


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly
dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. In 1985, the
government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the
islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. The adoption of a
comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with
regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, is expected to make the British
Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Livestock raising is the most
important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food
requirements. Because of traditional close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin
Islands have used the dollar as their currency since 1959.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 2% (1991 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $10,600 (1991 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} NA%
{3}industry:{4} NA%
{3}services:{4} NA%

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 2.5% (1990 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 4,911 (1980)
{3}by occupation:{4} NA

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} NEGL% (1992)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $77.1 million
{3}expenditures:{4} $76.4 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY93/94)

{2}Industries:{4} tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore financial center

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 4% (1985)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 10,500 kW
{3}production:{4} 50 million kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 3,148 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} fruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish

{2}Exports:{4} $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)
{3}commodities:{4} rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals
{3}partners:{4} Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

{2}Imports:{4} $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)
{3}commodities:{4} building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
{3}partners:{4} Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US

{2}External debt:{4} $4.5 million (1985)

{2}Economic aid:{4} $NA

{2}Currency:{4} 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents

{2}Exchange rates:{4} US currency is used

{2}Fiscal year:{4} 1 April - 31 March


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4} 0 km

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 106 km (1983 est.)
{3}paved:{4} NA km
{3}unpaved:{4} NA km

{2}Ports:{4} Road Town

{2}Merchant marine:{4} none (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 1
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 1 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 6,291 (1990 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} worldwide telephone service
{3}domestic:{4} NA
{3}international:{4} submarine cable to Bermuda

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 9,000 (1992 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 1

{2}Televisions:{4} 4,000 (1992 est.)


{1}Defense{4}
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK