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Motto
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Vigilate (Latin :"Be Watchful")
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Brief History
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The Virgin Islands were first inhabited by Arawaks until about the 1400’s when they were displaced by the more warlike Caribs. The islands were first sighted by Christopher Columbus in 1493 who named them Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes (Saint Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins).
In 1648 the Dutch privateer, Joost van Dyk established the first settlement on the territory, planting cotton and tobacco. From 1672 the islands were colonised by the British and became part of the British Colony of the Leeward Islands from 1872 to 1960.
In 1967 the islands were granted autonomy.
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General Information
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Geographic Coordinates
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18 30 N, 63 30 W
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Area
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153 sq km / 59 sq. miles
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Population
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24,004 [0-14 years 19.8%; 15-64 years: 74.4%; 65 years and over: 5.8%]
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Language
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English (official)
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Religions
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Anglican, Methodist, other , Protestant, Roman Catholic.
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Capital
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Road Town
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Government Type
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Overseas Territory of the UK
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Opposition
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Hon. Orlando Smith
National Democratic Party
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Independence
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N/A. Territory Day : 30/07
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Constitution
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1 June 1977
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Legal System
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Based on English common law.
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Governor
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H.E. David Peary
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Airport(s)
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Beef Island (EIS)
Virgin Gorda (VIJ)
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Currency
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United States Dollar
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Literacy
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97.8% of population
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Suffrage
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18 years of age
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National Flower
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The Yellow Cedar (Tecoma Stans)
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National Bird
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Mourning Dove (Zenaida Macroura)
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National Dish
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Fish and Fungi
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National Holidays
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New Year’s Day – 1/01
Lavity Stoutt’s Birthday – 7/03
Commonwealth Day – 8/03
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Whit Monday
Sovereign’s Birthday – 2nd Sat. in Jun.
Territory Day – 1/07
Festival Days – 1st Mon/Tue/Wed in Aug.
St. Ursula’s Day – 21/10
Christmas Day – 25/12
Boxing Day – 26/12
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National Anthem
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God Save the Queen
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Working Hours
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Business : Mon-Fri : 0800 – 1700
Government : Mon-Fri : 0830 - 1630
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Economy
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GDP (2007)[1]
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USD 837,001 M
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GDP per capita (2007)
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USD 41,193
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Industry
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Arts and Craft
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Services
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Tourism – upscale destination.
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External Debt (Dec.2007)
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USD 9.143 M
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Government
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Ministry / Office
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Name of Officer
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Contact Details
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Premier, Finance, Tourism
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Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal
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2nd Floor, East Atrium, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110
Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2152 / 468 0026
Fax : 284 494 6413
Email :
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Permanent Secretary
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Mrs. Rosalie Adams
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Director of Tourism
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Ms. Janice Braithwaite-Edwards
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P.O. Box 134, 2nd Floor, Akara Bldg. Decastro St., Road Town
Tel.: 284 494 3134
Fax : 284 494 3866
Email :
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Financial Secretary
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Mr. Neil Smith
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Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2144
Fax : 284 494 6180
Email :
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Natural Resources and Labour
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Hon. Omar Hodge
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1st Floor, East Atrium, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110
Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2147/2137 Fax : 284 494 4283
Email :
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Permanent Secretary
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Mr. Clyde Lettsome
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Education and Culture
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Hon. Andrew Fahie
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1st Floor, East Atrium, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110
Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2036/2037 Fax : 284 468 0021
Email :
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Permanent Secretary
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Ms. Sheila Brathwaite
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Communications and Works
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Hon. Julian Fraser
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1st Floor, East Atrium, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110
Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2183/2163 Fax : 284 494 3873
Email :
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Permanent Secretary
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Mr. John Samuel
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Health and Social Development
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Hon. Dancia Penn-Sallah
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1st Floor, Wast Atrium, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110
Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2174/2172 Fax : 284 494 5018
Email :
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Permanent Secretary
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Ms. Ritzia Turnbull-Smith
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Attorney General
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Hon. Kathleen Quartey
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AG’s Chambers, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110.
Tel.: 284 494 3701
Fax : 284 494 6760
Email :
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National Authorising Officer
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Neil Smith
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Tel.: 284 468 3701 x 2144
Fax : 284 494 6180
Email :
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GIS
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Zan Lewis
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Tel; 284 494 2250
Fax : 284 494 1139
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Ambassador to the OECS
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Ms. Najan Christopher
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Office of the Premier, 2nd Floor, East Atrium, Central Administrative Complex, 33 Admin Drive, Wickham’s Cay I, Road Town, VG 1110
Tel.: 284 468 0026 x 2074
Fax : 284 494 6413
Email :
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