British Virgin Islands Country & Tourist Information

Location
Caribbean, Leeward Islands.

Area
153 sq km (59 sq miles).

Population
24,000.



Population Density
156 per sq km.



Capital
Road Town, Tortola.
Population: 9,400.

Government
British Overseas Territory since 1672.

Language
English.

Religion
Mainly Christian, including Methodist (45%), Anglican (21%) and Roman Catholic (6%).

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin plugs are used.

Head of Government
Premier Ralph T O'Neal since 2007.



Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor David Pearey since 2006.

Recent History
The Virgin Islands Party (VIP) won the election in 2007. The next election is due to be held in 2011.



Telephone
Country code: 1 284. There are no area codes.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent. Handsets can be hired.

Internet
Internet access is available in some hotels. There are a few Internet cafes and free Wi-Fi hotspots. BVI Marine WiFi (www.bvimarinewifi.com) offers a subscription service giving wireless access at the main harbors.



Media
There are no public broadcasters based in the British Virgin Islands; all TV and radio stations are privately run. Cable and satellite TV is widely available. There is freedom in the British Virgin Islands' press to criticize the government.


Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to a week.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Press
• The BVI Beacon, the BVI StandPoint and the Island Sun are published weekly.
• The tourist board publishes The Welcome every two months.

Radio
• ZBVI is a private AM station.
• Z-Wave, Z-Gold, Z-Hit and ZROD are private FM stations.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
2 Mar (in lieu of 7 Mar) H Lavity Stoutt's Birthday. 
9 Mar Commonwealth Day. 
10 Apr Good Friday. 
13 Apr Easter Monday. 
1 Jun Whit Monday.
13 Jun Sovereign's Birthday. 
3 Jul Territory Day. 
3-5 Aug Festival Days. 
19 Oct St Ursula's Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
1 Mar (in lieu of 7 Mar) H Lavity Stoutt's Birthday.
8 Mar Commonwealth Day.
2 Apr Good Friday.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
24 May Whit Monday.
12 Jun Sovereign's Birthday.
2 Jul Territory Day.
2-4 Aug Festival Days.
18 Oct St Ursula's Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic representation abroad
The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory represented abroad by British embassies – see United Kingdom section.

Identity and Passport Service in the UK
London Passport Office, Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PN, UK
Tel: 0870 521 0410 (national advice line).
Website: www.ukpa.gov.uk
Opening hours (appointments only): Mon-Fri 0745-1900, Sat 0915-1515.
Personal callers for visas should go to the agency window in the collection room of the London office.


British Virgin Islands Tourist Board in the UK
15 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W1K 7PJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7355 9585.
Website: www.bvitourism.co.uk
No personal callers.

British Virgin Islands Tourist Board in the USA
1270 Broadway, Suite 705, New York, NY 10001, USA
Tel: (212) 696 0400 or 1 800 835 8530.
Website: www.bvitourism.com

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com


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