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The British Virgin Islands comprise around 60 tropical Caribbean islands, ranging in size from the largest, Tortola, being 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide, to tiny uninhabited islets, altogether about 150 square kilometres (58 square miles) in extent.
- Overview
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- Plant and animal life
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- Economy
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- Trade
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British Virgin Islands, British overseas territory in the eastern Caribbean Sea. It is part of an island chain collectively known as the Virgin Islands, which makes up the northeastern extremity of the Greater Antilles. Puerto Rico lies to the west. The British territory consists of 4 larger islands (Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke) and 32 smaller islands and islets, of which more than 20 are uninhabited; lesser islands include Great Tobago, Salt, Peter, Cooper, Norman, Guana, Beef, Great Thatch, Little Thatch, and Marina Cay. The chief town and port is Road Town on Tortola (21 square miles [54 square km]), the largest of the islands. The total area of the colony is 59 square miles (153 square km). Pop. (2010) 28,054.
For information about regional aspects of the British Virgin Islands, see Virgin Islands.
The British Virgin Islands are a geologic extension of the central fault-block mountains of Puerto Rico and present a variety of physical features, including low mountains, lagoons with coral reefs and barrier beaches, and landlocked harbours. Except for Anegada, the islands are hilly. The highest point is Mount Sage (1,709 feet [521 metres]), on T...
The British Virgin Islands have a subtropical climate that is pleasant and mild for most of the year, a factor in the islands’ important tourist industry. Although they are located in the tropics, the heat is tempered by gentle trade winds that blow from the northeast most of the year. Temperatures average 78 °F (26 °C) annually, and humidity is low. The dry season lasts from February to July and the wet season from September to December. Hurricanes—averaging perhaps four in a century—usually occur between August and October, and there are occasional light earthquakes.
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Islands and Archipelagos
Water scarcity is a serious problem. Rainfall averages about 50 inches (1,270 mm) a year, but much of it runs off unused. In the driest sections of the large islands, rainfall usually averages a little less than 30 inches (760 mm), with possibly as much as 80 inches (2,030 mm) on the upper slopes of Mount Sage on Tortola. Rainfall is erratic, however, varying widely from year to year. British Virgin Islanders have long depended almost entirely upon their own cisterns and wells, and nearly all buildings, both private and public, have their own water catchments. In addition, water is imported in barges to meet the needs for fresh water—needs now rapidly increasing in proportion to population and industrial growth. Only Road Town has a piped supply.
Vegetation is tropical. Supported in most places by thin soil, it includes royal poinciana (flamboyant) trees and other lush blooms, but the islands’ generally sparse stands of shrubs and trees are not sufficient to be of commercial value. Among the tree species are mangoes, soursop (a small tropical tree with a large, succulent fruit), coconut palms, and breadfruit. Cacao and wild orchids grow in the hills, while cactus, acacia, grass, and sugarcane flourish in the lowlands. The woodlands are not dense, and there are numerous species of birds and small game, such as deer. Sailfish, tarpon, marlin, kingfish, and wahoo abound in the coastal waters and offshore.
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The great majority of British Virgin Islanders are the descendants of African slaves. Those of European descent constitute a small minority, although their number grew markedly since 1960, as the number of immigrants from the United States and Great Britain increased. Of all the islands, Tortola has by far the largest population, some four-fifths o...
The economic mainstays of the British Virgin Islands are tourism and financial services. Tourism—based on the nearly perfect climate, sparkling beaches, tropical vegetation, and undersea coral reefs—provides about half of the islands’ income and is the largest employer. Also important is the offshore financial services sector. Since the mid-1980s t...
Agriculture was the backbone of the economy until tourism replaced it in the 1970s. Farms are usually smallholdings worked by owner-occupiers, many of whom are also engaged part-time in fishing. The most important agricultural activity is livestock raising. The main crops are bananas, sugarcane, citrus fruits, coconuts, mangoes, and various root cr...
Imports—mostly from the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom—consist chiefly of foodstuffs, beverages, machinery, motor vehicles, building materials, and petroleum products. Exports, mainly to the U.S. Virgin Islands, include fresh fish, rum, sand and gravel, charcoal, fruits, and vegetables.
Tortola has two main highways and numerous side routes; Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke also have road systems. In the mid-1990s the British Virgin Islands began an extensive overhaul of its road network. Small boats ply to and from the U.S. Virgin Islands. The main entry point by air, Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, is located...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Nov 13, 2023 · Learn about the geography, history, and culture of the British Virgin Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. Explore political, outline, and physical maps of the archipelago and its four main islands.
- Road Town
- 30,030
- 151.00 km 2
- 151.00 km 2
Jul 1, 2011 · Discover the Caribbean beauty, hospitality and splendour of the British Virgin Islands. Explore the geological wonder of The Baths on Virgin Gorda, the Arawak history of Conch Shell Mounds on Anegada, and more.
- The Baths National Park, Virgin Gorda. The Virgin Gorda Baths are a busy anchorage and one of the British Virgin Islands' most famous landmarks. This distinctive bay is scattered with giant granite boulders, creating sea pools and grottoes that are perfect for snorkeling and exploring.
- Gorda Peak National Park, Virgin Gorda. If you're looking for a change of pace from all the aquatic activities, Gorda Peak National Park is a great place to visit for some land-based nature.
- North Sound, Virgin Gorda. The North Sound, on the northeast shore of Virgin Gorda, is a major water sports center in the British Virgin Islands. The area offers well-protected waters and many anchorages, with every kind of boat and water activity available: diving, sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, water-skiing, glass bottom boats, and trips to secluded beaches.
- White Bay, Jost Van Dyke. White Bay is Jost Van Dyke's most popular beach and one of the most beautiful beaches in all the British Virgin Islands. Steep hills plunge to this long sweep of dazzling white sand, which is sheltered by a barrier reef.
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The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are composed of more than 60 islands and keys. More than 43 of the islands are uninhabited. The islands fall into two types: the majority are steep volcanic islands (including the main islands, Tortola and Virgin Gorda), and a small number of relatively flat coral islands (such as Anegada and Sandy Spit).
British Virgin Islands. Caribbean. The British Virgin Islands (BVI) are territories of Her Majesty's land, but aside from scattered offerings of fish and chips, there's little that's overtly British. Most travelers come to hoist a jib and dawdle among the 50-plus isles. With steady trade winds, calm currents, protected bays and pirate-ship bars ...
