Simple directory > Regional > British Virgin Islands

Country : British Virgin Islands Official name: British Virgin Islands Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II; represented by Governor Thomas T Macan (sworn in 14 Oct 2002) Head of government: Chief Minister Orlando Smith (sworn in 17 Jun 2003) Ruling party: National Democratic Party (NDP) (elected 16 Jun 2003) Area: 153 square km Population: 22,700 (2004) Capital: Road Town Official language: English Currency: US dollar (US$) = 100 cents GDP per capita: US$16,000 (2003) GDP real growth: 1.00% (2003) Labour force: 4,911 (2003) Unemployment: 3.00% (2003) Inflation: 2.50% (2003) Balance of trade: -US$161.70 million (2003) Foreign debt: US$36.10 million (2003) Visitor numbers: 560,000 (2003)

Historical profile

1493 The islands were sighted by Columbus.

1595 Sir Francis Drake visited the channel which runs through the islands and which now bears his name.

1648 The islands were settled by the Dutch.

1666 English settlers arrived.

1672 Tortola was taken over by the English.

1872 The islands became part of the UK colony of the Leeward Islands. The islands continued to come under the authority of the governor of the Leeward Islands until 1960.

1960 An appointed administrator (renamed governor in 1971) assumed responsibility for the islands.

1967 Lavity Stoutt of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) became the first chief minister as the islands were granted internal self-government.

1995 The VIP won the elections.

1997 The National Democratic Party (NDP) was formed.

1999 The VIP was re-elected.

2001/02 There was a revival in the tourism sector and the financial services industry continued to be a major contributor to the economy.

2003 In May, Allen Wheatley, financial secretary in the local civil service, was committed for trial on charges of fraud over a contract for telecommunications services at the new airport. Charged with him was a nephew of the health minister.

In the 16 June parliamentary elections, the opposition party, the NDP, defeated Chief Minister Ralph O'Neal's VIP. On 17 June, Orlando Smith was sworn in as chief minister.

2004 The 2004 budget was presented under the theme, `Empowering our People'; it was passed in February.

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