The British Virgin Islands

Immediately to the northeast of the U.S. Virgin Islands are the British Virgin Islands, a British dependency (2005 est. pop. 22,600), 59 sq mi (153 sq km). There are more than 30 islands; 16 are inhabited. The principal ones are Tortola, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda. Road Town, the capital, is on Tortola. Tourism, light industry, and offshore financial services are the most important economic activities. Britain acquired the islands from the Dutch in 1666. Granted autonomy in 1967, they are governed under the constitution of 1977, as amended in 2000. There is a unicameral Legislative Council consisting of 13 elected members who serve four-year terms. The government is headed by a Chief Minister. The monarch of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, represented by a governor, is the head of state.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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