British Virgin Islands

Quick Facts: Who was British Virgin Islands?

Subject:

British Virgin Islands

Known for:

British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, known for tourism and financial services.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The British Virgin Islands (BVI), officially the Virgin Islands, is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and north-west of Anguilla. The islands are geographically part of the Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and part of the West Indies. The British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke, along with more than 50 other smaller islands and cays. About 16 of the islands are inhabited. The capital, Road Town, is on Tortola, the largest island, which is about 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The islands had a population of 28,054 at the 2010 Census, of whom 23,491 lived on Tortola; current estimates put the population at 35,802 (July 2018). The economy of the territory is overwhelmingly dominated by tourism and financial services, with the territory using the United States dollar. In terms of financial services, the territory is known as a leading hub for tax evasion and concealment of assets. British Virgin Islanders are British Overseas Territories citizens and, since 2002, also British citizens. The islands were named "Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes" by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after the legend of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The name was later shortened to "the Virgin Islands". The official name of the territory is still simply the "Virgin Islands", but the prefix "British" is often used. This is commonly believed to distinguish it from the neighbouring American territory which changed its name from the "Danish West Indies" to "Virgin Islands of the United States" in 1917. However, local historians have disputed this, pointing to a variety of publications and public records dating from between 21 February 1857 and 12 September 1919, where the territory is referred to as the British Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands government publications continue to begin with the name "The territory of the Virgin Islands", and the territory's passports simply refer to the "Virgin Islands", and all laws begin with the words "Virgin Islands".

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1493: 1493 Milestone — The islands were named "Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes" by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after the legend of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins.
2. 1857: 1857 Milestone — However, local historians have disputed this, pointing to a variety of publications and public records dating from between 21 February 1857 and 12 September 1919, where the territory is referred to as the British Virgin Islands.
3. 1917: 1917 Milestone — This is commonly believed to distinguish it from the neighbouring American territory which changed its name from the "Danish West Indies" to "Virgin Islands of the United States" in 1917.
4. 2002: 2002 Milestone — British Virgin Islanders are British Overseas Territories citizens and, since 2002, also British citizens.
5. 2010: 2010 Milestone — The islands had a population of 28,054 at the 2010 Census, of whom 23,491 lived on Tortola; current estimates put the population at 35,802 (July 2018).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: British Virgin Islands

True or False: “The Arawak people were the first inhabitants of the British Virgin Islands, arriving around 100 BC.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Archaeological evidence suggests Amerindian presence on the islands dates back as far as 1500 BC, with the Arawaks inhabiting them until the late pre-Columbian period.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alex Chilton — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): American musician, best known for his vocal work with The Box Tops and Big Star.
• Alexander McQueen — Historical peer (Died in 2010) (2010): Iconic British fashion designer known for theatrical, boundary-pushing collections.
• Aaron Klug — Historical peer (Died in 2018) (2018): Pioneering biophysicist known for crystallographic electron microscopy and nucleic acid structure.
• Alan Bean — Historical peer (Died in 2018) (2018): American astronaut, naval officer, and lunar explorer who walked on the Moon.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1493) (1493): Holy Roman Emperor and fourth King of the Romans from the House of Habsburg.
• Martín Alonso Pinzón — Historical peer (Died in 1493) (1493): Spanish mariner and explorer, pivotal figure in the voyages to the New World.
• Abdullah al-Sallal — Historical peer (Born in 1917) (1917): Yemeni military officer and revolutionary who led the North Yemeni Revolution of 1962.
• Adolf von Baeyer — Historical peer (Died in 1917) (1917): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.

Frequently Asked Questions about British Virgin Islands