3 GeoFroggy

Country Name

Conventional long form: none

Conventional short form: British Virgin Islands

Abbreviation: BVI

Administrative Divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

National Holiday

Territory Day, 1 July

Constitution

1 June 1977

Legal System

English law

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN (since 14 October 2002)

Head of government: Chief Minister Orlando D. SMITH (since 17 June 2003)

Cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of the Legislative Council

Elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve four-year terms)

Elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held NA 2007)

Election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NDP 8, VIP 5

Judicial Branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary Jurisdiction

Political Parties and Leaders

Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

NA

Flag Description

Blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)

National Anthem

Year

Government Type

  • NA

Capital

    Road Town

Diplomatic Representation in the US

    None (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic Representation from the US

    None (overseas territory of the UK)

International Organization Participation

  • Caricom (associate)
  • CDB
  • Interpol (subbureau)
  • IOC
  • OECS (associate)
  • UNESCO (associate)
  • UPU