Aminet 6/Aminet 6 - June 1995.iso/Aminet/docs/misc/wfbook93_texi.lha/texi/36.data

Text File | 1995-03-27 | 6.5 KB | 291 lines

@node Header (British Virgin Islands)
@section Header (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Affiliation:
  (dependent territory of the UK)



@end display

@node Geography (British Virgin Islands)
@section Geography (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Location:
  in the eastern Caribbean Sea, about 110 km east of Puerto Rico
Map references:
  Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
 total area:
  150 km2
 land area:
  150 km2
 comparative area:
  about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
 note:
  includes the island of Anegada
Land boundaries:
  0 km
Coastline:
  80 km
Maritime claims:
 exclusive fishing zone:
  200 nm
 territorial sea:
  3 nm
International disputes:
  none
Climate:
  subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain:
  coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Natural resources:
  negligible
Land use:
 arable land:
  20%
 permanent crops:
  7%
 meadows and pastures:   33%
 forest and woodland:
  7%
 other:
  33%
Irrigated land:
  NA km2
Environment:
  subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October
Note:
  strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico



@end display

@node People (British Virgin Islands)
@section People (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Population:
  12,707 (July 1993 est.)
Population growth rate:
  1.22% (1993 est.)
Birth rate:
  20.37 births/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Death rate:
  6.11 deaths/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Net migration rate:
  -2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1993 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
  19.68 deaths/1,000 live births (1993 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
 total population:
  72.62 years
 male:
  70.77 years
 female:
  74.6 years (1993 est.)
Total fertility rate:
  2.28 children born/woman (1993 est.)
Nationality:
 noun:
  British Virgin Islander(s)
 adjective:
  British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions:
  black 90%, white, Asian
Religions:
  Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God 7%, Seventh-Day
  Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic
  6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)
Languages:
  English (official)
Literacy:
  age 15 and over can read and write (1970)
 total population:
  98%
 male:
  98%  female:
  98%
Labor force:
  4,911 (1980)
 by occupation:
  NA



@end display

@node Government (British Virgin Islands)
@section Government (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Names:
 conventional long form:
  none
 conventional short form:
  British Virgin Islands
Abbreviation:
  BVI
Digraph:
  VI
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, 1 July
Political parties and leaders:
  United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO; Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity
  STOUTT; Independent Progressive Movement (IPM), Cyril B. ROMNEY
Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
Elections:
 Legislative Council:
  last held 12 November 1990 (next to be held by November 1995); results -
  percent of vote by party NA; seats - (9 total) VIP 6, IPM 1, independents 2
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 Peter
  Alfred PENFOLD (since NA 1991)
 Head of Government:
  Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA 1986)
Member of:   CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO
  (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US:
  none (dependent territory of 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)



@end display

@node Economy (British Virgin Islands)
@section Economy (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Overview:
  The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean area, 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, incorporation
  fees generated about $2 million in 1987. The economy slowed in 1991 because
  of the poor performances of the tourist sector and tight commercial bank
  credit. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The
  islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements.
National product:
  GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $133 million (1991)
National product real growth rate:
  2% (1991)
National product per capita:
  $10,600 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  2.5% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
  NEGL% (1992)
Budget:
  revenues $51 million; expenditures $88 million, including capital
  expenditures of $38 million (1991)
Exports:
  $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)
 commodities:
  rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals
 partners:
  Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Imports:
  $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)
 commodities:
  building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
 partners:
  Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
External debt:
  $4.5 million (1985)
Industrial production:
  growth rate 4.0% (1985)
Electricity:
  10,500 kW capacity; 43 million kWh produced, 3,510 kWh per capita (1990)
Industries:
  tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete block, offshore
  financial center
Agriculture:
  livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables
Economic aid:
  NA
Currency:
  US currency is used
Exchange rates:
  US currency is used
Fiscal year:
  1 April - 31 March



@end display

@node Communications (British Virgin Islands)
@section Communications (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Highways:
  106 km motorable roads (1983)
Ports:
  Road Town
Airports:
 total:
  3
 usable:
  3
 with permanent-surface runways:
  2
 with runways over 3,659 m:
  0
 with runways 2,440-3,659 m:
  0
 with runways 1,220-2,439 m:
  0
Telecommunications:
  3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone service; submarine cable
  communication links to Bermuda; broadcast stations - 1 AM, no FM, 1 TV



@end display

@node Defense Forces (British Virgin Islands)
@section Defense Forces (British Virgin Islands)

@display

Note:
  defense is the responsibility of the UK



@end display