Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: the flag of the UK is used
Economy
Overview: All economic activity is concentrated
on the largest island of Diego Garcia,
where joint UK-US defense facilities
are located. Construction projects and
various services needed to support the military
installations are done by military and
contract employees from the UK and US.
There are no industrial or agricultural
activities on the islands.
Electricity: provided by the US military
Communications
Highways: short stretch of paved road
between port and airfield on Diego Garcia
Ports: Diego Garcia
Airports: 1 with permanent-surface runways over 3,659 m on Diego Garcia
Telecommunications: minimal facilities; stations (operated by the US Navy)—1 AM, 1 FM, 1 TV; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station
Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the
UK
British Virgin Islands
(dependent territory of the UK)
_British_Virgin_Islands.jpg)
See regional map III
Geography
Total area: 150 km²; land area: 150 km²
Comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims:
- Continental shelf: 200 meters or to depth of exploitation
- Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
- Territorial sea: 3 nm
Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Natural resources: negligible
Land use: 20% arable land; 7% permanent crops; 33% meadows and pastures; 7% forest and woodland; 33% other
Environment: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October
Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
People
Population: 12,258 (July 1990), growth
rate 1.1% (1990)
Birth rate: 20 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Net migration rate: -3 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Life expectancy at birth: 71 years male, 77 years female (1990)
Total fertility rate: 2.2 children born/woman (1990)
Nationality: noun—British Virgin Islander(s); adjective—British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: over 90% black, remainder of white and Asian origin
Religion: majority Methodist; others include Anglican, Church of God, Seventh-Day Adventist, Baptist, and Roman Catholic
Language: English (official)
Literacy: 98%
Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
Organized labor: NA
Government
Long-form name: none
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
National holiday: Territory Day, I July
Executive branch: British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet)
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Leaders: Chief of State—Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor John Mark Ambrose HERDMAN (since NA 1986);
Head of Government—Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986)
Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad Maduro; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity Stoutt; Independent People's Movement (IPM), Cyril B. Romney
Suffrage: universal at age 18
Elections: Legislative Council—last held 30 September 1986 (next to be held by September 1991); results percent of vote by party NA; seats—(9 total) UP 2, VIP 5, IPM 2
Communists: probably none
Member of: Commonwealth
Diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy
Overview: The economy is highly dependent
on the tourist industry, which generates
about 21% of the national income. In
1985 the government offered offshore
registration to companies wishing to incorporate
in the islands, and, in consequence,
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