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) *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:
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: arable land 20%; permanent crops 7%; meadows and pastures 33%; forest and woodland 7%; other 33%
_#_Environment: subject to hurricanes and tropical storms from July to October
_#_Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
_*People #_Population: 12,396 (July 1991), growth rate 1.1% (1991)
_#_Birth rate: 19 births/1,000 population (1991)
_#_Death rate: 5 deaths/1,000 population (1991)
_#_Net migration rate: - 3 migrants/1,000 population (1991)
_#_Infant mortality rate: 14 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)
_#_Life expectancy at birth: 72 years male, 77 years female (1991)
_#_Total fertility rate: 2.1 children born/woman (1991)
_#_Nationality: noun—British Virgin Islander(s); adjective—British Virgin Islander
_#_Ethnic divisions: black over 90%, remainder of white and Asian origin
_#_Religion: 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)
_#_Language: English (official)
_#_Literacy: 98% (male 98%, female 98%) age 15 and over can read and write (1970)
_#_Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
_#_Organized labor: NA% of labor force
_*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, 1 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 12 November 1990 (next to be held by November 1995); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(9 total) VIP 6, IPM 1, independent 2
_#_Communists: probably none
_#_Member of: CARICOM (observer), CDB, ECLAC (associate), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)
_#_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, incorporation fees generated about $2 million in 1987. Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food requirements.
_#_GDP: $106.7 million, per capita $8,900; real growth rate 2.5% (1987)
_#_Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.0% (1987)
_#_Unemployment rate: NEGL%
_#_Budget: revenues $32.8 million; expenditures $32.4 million, including capital expenditures of $6.3 million (FY90)
_#_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:
