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Country Guide > Caribbean > British Virgin Islands | |
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General Information Area 153 sq km (59 sq miles).
Population 21,000 (2002). Population Density 137.3 per sq km. Capital Road Town, Tortola. Population: 13,568 (1991). Geography The 60-plus islands, rocks and cays of the British Virgin Islands, only 16 of which are inhabited, make up the larger part of an archipelago forming the northern extremity of the Leeward Islands in the eastern Caribbean. They are situated approximately 100km (62 miles) east of Puerto Rico, adjoining the US Virgin Islands. The islands are volcanic in origin, with the exception of Anegada, which is formed of coral and limestone and is the lowest lying. The topography is otherwise mountainous, the highest point being Tortola’s Sage Mountain, which rises to 550m (1800ft). There are remnants of a primeval rainforest on Tortola. Government British Overseas Territory since 1672. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor Tom Macan since 2002. Head of Government: Chief Minister Orlando Smith since 2003. Language English. Religion Mainly Christian, including Methodist (45 per cent), Anglican (21 per cent) and Roman Catholic (6 per cent). Time GMT - 4. Electricity 110/60 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin plugs are used. Communications Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 1 284 49. There are no area codes. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone GSM 900/1900 operated by Caribbean Cellular Telephone (website: www.bvicellular.com). Handsets can be hired. Fax Cable & Wireless provides a service. Internet ISPs include Cable & Wireless (website: www.candw.vg) and Caribsurf (website: www.caribsurf.com). Services are available in some hotels. There are a few Internet cafes. Post Airmail to Europe takes up to a week. Press The BVI Beacon, The BVI StandPoint and the Island Sun are published weekly. The tourist board publishes The Welcome every two months. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |
