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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, amended in 2000

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 David PEAREY (since 18 April 2006)

Head of government: Chief Minister Dr. 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, 1 member from each of nine electoral districts, 4 at-large members; members serve four-year terms)

Elections: last held 16 May 2003 (next to be held in 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

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	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Government Type

Capital

Name
Road Town
Geographic Coordinates
18 27 N, 64 37 W
Time Difference
UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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