British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are a British Overseas Territory in the northeastern Caribbean. The capital is Road Town.

Find British Virgin Islands

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Road Town
Languages: English
Currency: United States dollar (USD)
Population: 39,7322025 · World Bank
Area: 151 km²58.30 square miles
Self-government: 1967British Overseas Territory.

British Virgin Islands in context

North America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Road Town; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

Coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly.

Languages

Languages used in public life include English.

Location

Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico.

Flag

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)

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

History & status

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.

1672
English control begins
1967
Internal self-government expands
2017
Hurricane Irma causes widespread damage

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Economy

Main activities

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.

Industry and production

Yacht charters, accommodation, financial and business services, trade and construction are important activities.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Population trends

Population, 1970–2025

Thousands of people

39.72025 · thousands of people

Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.

Sources: World Bank · Population

View data table

Population: source values and plotted units
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

Government

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.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Knowledge check

Three questions about British Virgin Islands.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which form of tourism is especially associated with the British Virgin Islands?

Sources & notes

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.