Facts at a Glance:           

Capital:  Road Town (Tortola)

Form of Government:  British Dependent Territory

Head of State:  Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor David Pearey

Location:  Archipelago of 36 islands (16 of which are inhabited); about 80 km (50 mi.) east of Puerto Rico; 18.5EN, 64EW. Principal islands: Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke.

Area:  153 sq. km (59 sq.mi.) total; Tortola 54 sq.km. (21 sq.mi.); Anegada, 39 sq.km. (15 sq.mi.); Virgin Gorda, 21 sq.km.(8 sq.mi.); Jost Van Dyke, 9 sq.km.(3.4 sq.mi.).

Population:  19,000 (1996)

Ethnic Make-Up:  94% of African descent; remainder of European and Asian origin.

Adult Literacy:  98%

Currency:  US Dollar

Time zone:  EST (summer); EST+1 (winter); GMT -4

Phone code:  Regional code (284), plus 49, plus the 5-digit local number

History:  In 1666, British planters took over control of the island group from the Dutch settlers. The islands attained the status of a British colony and remained part of the Leeward Islands from 1872 until 1956, when the BVI became a separately administered entity.

To preserve its close economic ties with the US Virgin Is., the group did not join the 1958-1962 West Indies Federation. In 1967, a new Constitution provided for a ministerial system of government headed by a Governor, who represents HM Queen Elizabeth II.

UWI connections:  A contributing territory, the BVI has only 22 students registered at the 17 (2004/2005).