British Virgin Islands

• subtropical;
• humid;
• temperatures moderated by trade winds

agricultural land:

46.7% (2023 est.)

arable land:

6.7% (2023 est.)

permanent crops:

6.7% (2023 est.)

permanent pasture:

33.3% (2023 est.)

forest:

66.5% (2023 est.)

other:

0% (2023 est.)

noun:

British Virgin Islander(s)

adjective:

British Virgin Islander

total:

38.8 years (2025 est.)

male:

38.1 years

female:

38.9 years

at birth:

1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years:

0.98 male(s)/female

15-64 years:

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.9 male(s)/female

total population:

0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

total:

13 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male:

16 deaths/1,000 live births

female:

10.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total population:

80.1 years (2024 est.)

male:

78.6 years

female:

81.7 years

• limited natural freshwater resources;
• water pollution from sewage and mining/industry waste;
• coral reef preservation

• subtropical;
• humid;
• temperatures moderated by trade winds

agricultural land:

46.7% (2023 est.)

arable land:

6.7% (2023 est.)

permanent crops:

6.7% (2023 est.)

permanent pasture:

33.3% (2023 est.)

forest:

66.5% (2023 est.)

other:

0% (2023 est.)

urban population:

49.7% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization:

1.73% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

conventional long form:

none

conventional short form:

British Virgin Islands

abbreviation:

BVI

etymology:

the islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded explorer Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time was shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)

name:

Road Town

geographic coordinates:

18 25 N, 64 37 W

time difference:

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology:

name refers to the nautical term "roadstead" or "roads," a body of water less sheltered than a harbor but where ships can still lie at anchor

history:

several previous; latest effective 15 June 2007 (The Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007)

amendment process:

• initiated by any elected member of the House of Assembly;
• passage requires simple majority vote by the elected members of the Assembly and assent by the governor on behalf of the monarch

chief of state:

King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Daniel PRUCE (since 29 January 2024)

head of government:

Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY (since 5 May 2022)

cabinet:

Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the House of Assembly

election/appointment process:

• the monarchy is hereditary;
• governor appointed by the monarch;
• following legislative elections, the governor usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as premier

note: on 5 May 2022, Premier Andrew FAHIE was removed from office by a no-confidence vote in the House of Assembly after his arrest on drug-trafficking and money-laundering charges; Premier Dr. Natalio WHEATLEY was sworn in as premier on 5 May 2022

legislature name:

House of Assembly

legislative structure:

unicameral

number of seats:

15 (directly elected and appointed)

scope of elections:

full renewal

term in office:

4 years

most recent election date:

4/24/2023

parties elected and seats per party:

• VIP (6);
• NDP (3);
• PVIM (3);
• PU (1)

expected date of next election:

2027

highest court(s):

• the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States;
• the ECSC is headquartered on St. Lucia and consists of the Court of Appeal -- headed by the chief justice and 4 judges -- and the High Court with 18 judges;
• the Court of Appeal travels to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts

judge selection and term of office:

• Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the British monarch;
• other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission;
• Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65;
• High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts:

Magistrates' Courts

• National Democratic Party or NDP
• Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM
• Progressives United or PU
• Virgin Islands Party or VIP

description:

• blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag;
• the coat of arms depicts a woman between two columns of six oil lamps, above a scroll with the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

meaning:

Christopher COLUMBUS named the islands in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her virgin followers, and the figure holding a lamp represents the saint, with the other lamps symbolizing her followers

title:

"God Save the King"

lyrics/music:

unknown

history:

official anthem, as a UK overseas territory

• British Caribbean island territorial economy;
• strong tourism and services industries;
• vulnerable to hurricanes;
• navigating public debt insolvency since 2008 Crisis;
• considered a tax haven;
• high electrification costs;
• major rum exporter

• fruits, vegetables;
• livestock, poultry;
• fish

• 1 private TV station;
• multi-channel TV is available from cable and satellite subscription services;
• about a half-dozen private radio stations

total ports:

1 (2024)

large:

0

medium:

1

small:

0

very small:

0

ports with oil terminals:

1

key ports:

Road Harbor