The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Central America and the Caribbean

Flag British Virgin Islands, in 36 editions.

The entry for British Virgin Islands published Flag in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 11 editions. Each is shown as published. Flag in every entry.

editions changed the text
11
the first edition with it
1990
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Flag” (1990 to 2025) and “Flag description” (1997 to 2024).

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.

2025 edition

Changed since 2024

Open the 2025 entry

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

description: blue with the flag of the UK flag in the upper hoist-side upper-left quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in on the outer right half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column between two columns of six oil lamps lamps, above a scroll bearing with the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful); Watchful)
meaning: Christopher COLUMBUS named
the islands were named by COLUMBUS in 1493 in honor of Saint Ursula and her 11 virgin followers (some sources say 11,000) who reputedly were martyred by the Huns in the 4th or 5th century; followers, and the figure on the banner holding a lamp represents the saint; saint, with the other lamps symbolize symbolizing her followers

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “British Virgin Islands: Flag.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/british-virgin-islands/flag.

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