The northeastern set of Virgin Islands in
The Caribbean, these ones are controlled by the British, unlike the southwestern ones which are
controlled by the Americans. They are a British Overseas Territory, though they also use the US Dollar as their currency, like the American ones.
note On the other hand in the U.S. Virgin Islands they drive on the left, like the British ones. The USVI is the only American soil with left hand traffic. The capital and largest city is Road Town, located on the largest island, Tortola.
Known as a notorious pirate hideout in the 16th century, the Danish, Dutch, English, French and Spanish all fought for control of the territory, with the Dutch eventually establishing a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola in 1648. However, the English soon captured Tortola from the Dutch in 1672 and annexed Anegada and Virgin Gorda in 1680. Sugar Cane was introduced to the territory by the British, which would soon become the main crop and source of foreign trade in the territory, and slaves were brought from Africa to work on the sugar cane plantations. However, with the abolition of slavery in the territory, a series of disastrous hurricanes, and the growth in the sugar beet crop in Europe and the United States led to sugar cane production going way down in the 19th century. The territory would then focus on financial services and tourism instead, and become one of the richest areas of the Caribbean.
This emphasis on financial services has led to it being characterised as a tax haven, and getting a reputation for corruption. Given the rampant corruption revealed by the 2016 'Panama Papers', and that in May 2022, the Premier was arrested in the US on drug smuggling and money laundering charges after being caught in a sting operation, this isn't entirely unwarranted. As a result, threats from London to impose direct rule are not entirely uncommon, and a review following the arrest found the state of governance to be "appalling" and recommended direct rule. So far, London has held off and given the new administration two years to put reforms in place. At the same time, however, it has moved to make imposing direct rule easier, if it is deemed necessary.
The British Virgin Islands are also known as one of the world's best sailing destinations, with charter sailboats being a very popular way of getting around the territory, and the Spring Regatta sailing races have been hosted there since 1972.
British Virgin Islands in media
British Virgin Islander flag
The flag features a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and defaced with the coat of arms of the British Virgin Islands. The coat of arms, which date to the early nineteenth-century, features Saint Ursula holding a flaming gold oil lamp and surrounded by a further eleven lamps, which represent her 11,000 virgin followers. The islands were named after these virgin followers by Christopher Columbus when he discovered the islands in 1493, the multiplicity of islands reminding him of the numerous followers. The motto present on the flag reads "Vigilate", which translated from Latin is "be watchful".
The British National Anthem
God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the King!
The British Virgin Islander National Song
Out of the huts of history’s pain
Our ancestors bled and died!
But with strength and willpower we overcame
To restore Virgin Islands pride!
To preserve our beauty we devised a plan
To obtain ownership of your precious lands!
Educating our people is the golden key
To maintain the success of this Territory!
Oh how radiant are your daughters!
And how wealthy are your sons!
Your beaches boast your beauty!
And your success is second to none!
Green and brilliant are your hillsides!
They replenish our hopes and pride!
Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands!
Your qualities can never be denied!
We shall protect your bountiful shores
And uphold your dignity!
We shall fight to preserve your culture
Your splendour and integrity!
And we shall never fail to understand
How blessed we are to possess this land!
So we shall unite standing proud and tall
Let none divide us, lest we fall!
Oh how radiant are your daughters!
And how wealthy are your sons!
Your beaches boast your beauty!
And your success is second to none!
Green and brilliant are your hillsides!
They replenish our hopes and pride!
Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands!
Your qualities can never be denied!
May God richly bless this territory!
May we ask three things of thee…
Courage for our great leaders
That they may rule our destiny!
We ask for wisdom for our people
That we may live in harmony!
And understanding for children
So they may cherish this legacy!
Oh how radiant are your daughters!
And how wealthy are your sons!
Your beaches boast your beauty!
And your success is second to none!
Green and brilliant are your hillsides!
They replenish our hopes and pride!
Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands!
Your qualities can never be denied!
Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands!
Your qualities can never be denied!
Government
- Parliamentary dependency under a constitutional monarchy
- Monarch: Charles III
- Governor: John Rankin
- Deputy Governor: David Archer
- Premier: Natalio Wheatley
Miscellaneous
- Capital and largest city: Road Town
- Population: 30,030
- Area: 153 km² (59 sq mi)
- Currency: United States dollar ($) (USD)
- ISO-3166-1 Code: VG
- Country calling code: 1 (area code 284)
