The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 2000 to 2025 Central America and the Caribbean

Background British Virgin Islands, in 26 editions.

The entry for British Virgin Islands published Background in 26 editions of 36, from 2000 to 2025. The text changed in 5 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
5
the first edition with it
2000
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (2000 to 2025).

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2025 edition

Same as 2024

Open the 2025 entry

The same text in 2024 and 2025.

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands (1872-1960); they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west, and the US dollar is the legal currency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Tortola. An estimated 80% of residential and business structures were destroyed or damaged, communications disrupted, and local roads rendered impassable.

First inhabited by Arawak and later by Carib Indians, the Virgin Islands were settled by the Dutch in 1648 and then annexed by the English in 1672. The islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands (1872-1960); they were granted autonomy in 1967. The economy is closely tied to the larger and more populous US Virgin Islands to the west; west, and the US dollar is the legal currency. On 6 September In 2017, Hurricane Irma devastated the island of Tortola. An estimated 80% of residential and business structures were destroyed or damaged, communications disrupted, and local roads rendered impassable.

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “British Virgin Islands: Background.” The World Factbook, 2000–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/british-virgin-islands/background.

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