About the British Virgin Islands

Summary


Status:
British Overseas Territory

Principal Language:
English

Legal System:
English Law

Judicial Branch:
Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

Population:
22,200 (via UN, 2006)

Location:
East of Puerto Rico; 18 30 N, 64 30 W

Climate:
Sub-tropical with the temperature range from 29 degrees celcius in the summer and 27 degrees celcius in the winter.

Capital:
Road Town, Tortola

Area:
153 sq km

Monetary Unit:
United States Dollar

International Dialling code:
+1 284

Airport:
Beef Island, EIS

Timezone:
-4 GMT

Legislation

The British Virgin Islands ("BVI") is a British Overseas Territory. As a British Overseas Territory, legislation is based on the British Legal System and English Common Law, the United Kingdom Privy Council is the final Court of Appeal. Since the introduction of the International Business Companies Act 1984 to the current Business Companies Act 2004 legislation has made significant progress in developing the BVI as a leading international financial services centre. The BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 (as Amended) ("BCA") is the principal legislation which governs the formation and management of the majority of companies incorporated in the BVI.