The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the northeastern Caribbean. The capital is Road Town.
North America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Road Town; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.
Natural Earth · locator mapThe British Virgin Islands combine several hilly main islands with smaller cays. Tortola and Virgin Gorda have steep slopes and deeply indented coasts. Anegada is different: it is low and limestone-based rather than a steep volcanic island.
The Baths on Virgin Gorda contain large granite boulders beside the sea. Tortola’s ridges and bays create another type of coastal scenery. Channels between the islands make boating and marine conditions important to movement within the territory.
The islands have a warm maritime climate. Trade winds moderate temperatures, while rainfall varies seasonally and with local terrain.
Reefs, seagrass, mangroves and dry woodland occur in different places. The contrast between low Anegada and the higher islands affects drainage and storm exposure. Freshwater resources are limited on many of the smaller islands.
Blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman between two columns of six oil lamps, above a scroll with the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Large boulders create sheltered passages and pools along the shore.
Photo: P. Hughes · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Cloud and sea frame the island’s steep coastal terrain.
Photo: Bmd0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
English is the official language and is used in public administration and education.
Virgin Islands Creole English is used in everyday local speech. Spanish and other languages are also spoken by residents from elsewhere in the Caribbean and beyond.
The islands were home to Indigenous communities before European colonization. English control began in 1672. A 1967 constitution expanded internal self-government. The British Virgin Islands remain a British Overseas Territory. Hurricane Irma caused widespread destruction in 2017.
Tourism, including sailing and yacht charters, and international business and financial services are major activities. Construction and trade support these sectors. Storms can damage transport, housing and visitor infrastructure.
Yacht charters, accommodation, financial and business services, trade and construction are important activities.
Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.
Sources: World Bank · Population
| Year | People | Thousands of people |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 9,933 | 9.933 |
| 1980 | 11,130 | 11.130 |
| 1990 | 15,704 | 15.704 |
| 2000 | 20,241 | 20.241 |
| 2010 | 27,675 | 27.675 |
| 2020 | 37,135 | 37.135 |
| 2025 | 39,732 | 39.732 |
A British Overseas Territory. An elected House of Assembly and a government headed by a Premier handle domestic affairs. A Governor represents the monarch, and the UK retains responsibilities including defence and external affairs.
Three questions about British Virgin Islands.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile
Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.
Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.
