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Date of Membership in CARICOM: 2 Jul 1991 - Learn more about membership in CARICOM
Also Known as:NA
Status of Independence:Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom
Area: 153 km2 (59 miles2)
Capital City: Road Town
Population: 24,004 (July 2008 estimate)
Currency: United States Dollar
Highest National Award: BVI Badge of Honour
GDP Growth: –0.3% p.a. 2013
GNI: US$916m
GNI PC: US$29,563.5
1493 Discovered by Spain
1666 Ruled by Britain
1672 Tortola annexed by Governor of Leeward Island
1773 Introduction of Civil Government
1956 Part of Leeward Islands Federation
1960 Direct Responsibility assumed. Administrator appointed as Queen’s representative
1967 Constitution became effective
1994 Legislative council enlarged from nine to thirteen seats
1991 Associate membership of CARICOM
Visit Government Portal: http://www.bvi.gov.vg/
-There’s a scuba-dive site named Alice in Wonderland, on the south-west side of Ginger Island. Can you guess why? The coral has formed in such a way that they look like gigantic mushrooms, much like the ones Alice stumbles upon on her own adventures. You’ll be as wide-eyed as Alice herself if you choose to dive this famous site, home to soft sponges, angel fish, lobster, and turtles.
-Cow Wreck Beach situated on the Anegada Island has an interesting story behind its unusual name. It began in the late 19th century, when, before the time of plastic, cow bones were used to make buttons, amongst various other things. A ship transporting a load of cow bones was wrecked off of Anegada’s North West coast. As a result cow bones were swept ashore for years following. Suddenly all is clear.