British Virgin Islands Travel Guide

British Virgin Islands — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Caribbean, Leeward Islands.
Language: English.
Area: 153 sq km (59 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT - 4.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American two-pin plugs are used.
Population: 24,000.
Population Density: 156 per sq km.
Capital City: Road Town, Tortola. Population: 9,400.
Government: British Overseas Territory since 1672.
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.
Religion: Mainly Christian, including Methodist (45%), Anglican (21%) and Roman Catholic (6%).

Recent History

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

Communications

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 cafés 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. The BVI Beacon, the BVI StandPoint and the Island Sun are newspapers published weekly.

Post

Airmail to Europe takes up to a week.Mon-Fri 0830-1630.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
2 Mar (in lieu of 7 Mar) H Lavity Stoutt’s Birthday
12 Mar Commonwealth Day
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
11 Jun Sovereign’s Birthday
13 Jun Whit Monday
1 Jul Territory Day
1 Aug August Festival
21 Oct St Ursula’s Day
25 Dec - 26 Dec Christmas

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
7 Mar H Lavity Stoutt’s Birthday
12 Mar Commonwealth Day
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
28 May Whit Monday
9 Jun Sovereign’s Birthday
1 Jul Territory Day
5 Aug August Festival
21 Oct St Ursula’s Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

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.