Country Profile: The British Virgin Islands

Geography

Islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. Dozens of secluded islands, islets and cays.

Government

Overseas territory of the Britain, with local self-government.

Economy

Estimate per capita GDP:
2004 $38,500 (ranks 20th)
2002 $16,000.

Tourism generates about 45 percent of the nation's income. Companies incorporating in the islands also generate revenues.

Uses the U.S. dollar as currency.

Many hotels, small resorts, villas and inns. No mega-resorts. No mega-resorts.

Estimated Deaths and Births per 1,000 persons

For 2008: deaths 4.66; births 14.75.

Population

July 2008 estimate: 24,004, up from 22,643 in 2005. Density estimated for 2005: 48 persons per square kilometer. Growth rate for 2008: 1.875 percent per year.

Migration

Estimated for 2008: More arriving than leaving a net gain of 8.46 per 1,000 population

Health

Infant mortality estimated for 2008: 15.54, down from 18.05 (deaths before the age of one year, per 1,000 live births). Higher than U.S Virgin Islands: 7.53. Better health care apparently in U.S. Virgin Islands.

Average life expectancy estimated for 2008: 77.06 years.

SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/