Basic Information About The British Virgin Island:

Population: The population of the British Virgin Islands is 30,893.

GDP: $ 1.095 billion (2008)

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a British overseas territory located in the Caribbean to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands make up part of the Virgin Islands archipelago of 59 square miles comprised of over 50 islands; the remaining islands constitute the US Virgin Islands and the Spanish Virgin Islands.

Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1493 on his second voyage to the Americas; however, Columbus was not the first to come to the islands. The Arawaks from South America were the first inhabitants which dated back to 100BC.

The Dutch settled on the western end of the main island of Tortola in the mid-17^th century, and was later supplanted by the British.  Cotton, sugar cane, and rum were the economic drivers before slavery was abolished in 1834 in the British West Indies.  The majority of the islands later became home for the former slaves who were farmers and fishermen.  Tourism is now the economic driver with yachting the most popular among tourists.

Climate: The British Virgin Islands enjoy a tropical climate, moderated by trade winds. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. In the capital, Road Town, typical daily maxima are around 32 °C (89.6 °F) in the summer and 29 °C (84.2 °F) in the winter.

People: 78.5% Black/African, 5% White, 5% Hspanic, 5% Multiracial, 2% East Indian and 4.5% others.

Religion: Over 90% of the population who indicated a religion were Christian with the largest individual Christian denominations being Methodist (17.6%), Anglican (12%), Church of God (11%) and Roman Catholic (9%).

Capital: Road Town, located on Tortola, is the capital of the British Virgin Islands.

Language: The official language of both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands is English. However, Virgin Islands Creole is mainly spoken in informal, daily usage.

Currency: The official currency of the British Virgin Islands has been the United States dollar (US$)

Time Zone: UTC-04:00

The Islands (Four main islands)

Tortola is the largest of the four main islands and is the center for commerce and the government. With a population of over 25,000, Tortola lush green mountains and white sandy beaches have made it a popular tourist destination.  Sage Mountain has an elevation of 1,716 feet and is the highest point in the BVI.  Road Town is the capital and boasts several good restaurants, shops, hotels, and museums.

Things to Do and See in Tortola

• J.R. O’neal Botanic Gardens – Located in the center of Road Town, this 4-acre of exotic botanical garden is a great place for some relaxation.
• Main Street – Road Town’s primary shopping area to get some great deals. Home to the Sir Olva George’s Plaza and the 19^th century Post Office. Learn some history at the VI Folk Museum.
• Queen Elizabeth II Park – The perfect for leisure activities such as running or walking. Also has a children’s playground
• Old Government House – Built in 1924, this place was once home to the governor. Open for tours and has a museum.
• Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum – A 1780 sugar refinery located on Station Road in Road Town. Learn about the BVI culture, nature, and artifacts early history.
• Sage Mountain National Park – The highest point at BVI at 1716 feet. Lush green park and a good place to explore.
• The North Shore Shell Museum – A place to learn about the local culture, shell craft, and traditional wood boats.
• Fort Burt – Constructed by the Dutch but later rebuilt by the English in 1672. Fort Burt once guarded Road Harbor.
• Fort Recovery – The oldest structure in BVI located at the West End. Built by the Dutch in 1660, Fort Recovery features a turreted gun replacement with three-foot-thick walls.
• The Williams Thronton Estate Run – Was once the home of the designer f the U.S. Capital Building.
• The Dungeon – Built in 1794 by the Royal Engineers and located between Road Town and West End, it was named the dungeon because of its underground cell.

Virgin Gorda is the second largest island in the British Virgin Island. With a population of over 4,000 people, Virgin Gorda has become one of the favorite tourist destinations because of the turquoise beaches, and the boulder formation known as The Baths.

Things to Do and See in Virgin Gorda

• The Baths – A very popular spot with giant boulders which forms a series of pools and grottoes. The water is amazing, warm in some places because of the heat from the boulders. Devil’s Bay beach is a great spot for a swim. The top of The Baths has a great restaurant and shops.
• Little Fort National Park – Located south of the Yatch Harbor, this 36-acre park is a wildlife sanctuary.
• Nail Bay – Contains ruins of a 19^th century sugar plantation.
• The Coppermine – Minded by the Cornish miners from 1838 – 1842, and 1859 – 1862 and perhaps earlier by the Spanish.
• Gorda Peak National Park – A large number of indigenous and exotic plants. The tallest point at 1500 feet.
• Green VI Glass Studio – Located at Bitter End Yacht Club. Watch hand-crafted glass made from local recycled glass.

Josh Van Dyke has a small population of just over 300 people but boast some of the most spectacular beaches and bars in the British Virgin Islands. Great restaurants and entertainment has made this a popular spot for day trippers and boaters.

Anegada is located approximately 20 miles to the northeast of Tortola and is the only coral atoll in the BVI. The island is surrounded by a Horseshoe Reef and has some of the most beautiful beaches.

Things to Do and See in Anegada

• Try the lobster dinner at Wonk the Dog
• 
• Snorkeling

Other Islands

• The RMS Rhone – Great for scuba diving. It was a 310’ Royal Mail Ship that was destroyed during an 1867 hurricane. The remains have become an underwater habitat for wildlife.
• Cam Bay – National Park is a nature preserve located on Great Camanoe
• Prickly Pear Island – a National Park in North Sound has a nature preserve.
• Sandy Cay – A National Park located off Jost Van Dyke.
• Norman Island – The caves are popular for snorkeling
• Salt Island – Has three salt ponds and was once a source of the seasoning for islanders and passing ships.

How to get there

There are several ferry companies providing service between the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Native Son – Road Town, Tortola to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas and return.  (284) 495-4617.  www.nativesonferry.com
• Road Town Fast Ferry – Road Town, Tortola, and West End, Tortola to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas and return.  (284) 494-2323.  www.roadtownfastferry.com
• Smith Ferry/Tortola Fast Ferry – Road Town, Tortola, and West End, Tortola to Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. (284) 495-4495 (West End); (284) 494-4454 (Road Town).  www.bviferryservices.com
• Jost Van Dyke – West End to Jost Van Dyke. (284) 495-9278.  www.jostvanddykeferry.com
• Speedy’s – Virgin Gorda, Road Town; Beef Island, St Thomas.  Safari Tours, Tax, Car rentals Boat Charters to neighboring islands.  (284) 495 5240

What to do in a day at BVI

• Sail: Spend a day sailing abroad a sailing yacht and explore some of the most beautiful beaches. Snorkel and view the colorful reefs.
• Adventure: Zip lining, swim with the dolphins, or sightseeing by helicopter.
• Rent a Boat: Daily rental of boats to one of the islands and hire a professional captain/tour guide.
• Watersports – Try windsurfing or kayaking.
• Dive – Dive and explore some of the most amazing coral reefs.
• Snorkel – View many of the colorful coral reefs and fish.
• Walk – Take a walk up Sage Mountain, the highest peak