People and Society of British Virgin Islands

Nationality

British Virgin Islander(s)

Ethnic Groups

Black 83%, white, Indian, Asian, and mixed

Population

24,939

Population in Major Urban Areas

ROAD TOWN (capital) 10,000

Medical care in the BVI consists of a small general hospital, Peebles Hospital (Telephone (284) 494-3497), with an emergency room staffed 24-hrs a day by physicians, several clinics on Tortola, and one public and one private clinic on Virgin Gorda. Both islands are served by ambulances staffed with paramedics. There is a clinic staffed by a government nurse on both Jost Van Dyke and Anegada. There are no medical facilities on the other islands. A volunteer organization, Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR), responds 24-hrs/day to medical emergencies at sea or on the outer islands. VISAR transports casualties to the nearest point for transfer to ambulance. To reach VISAR, dial SOS (767) or call on Marine Channel 16. There is no hyperbaric chamber in the BVI. Patients requiring treatment for decompression illness are transferred to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Most sensitive medical cases are transferred to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• Protestant86.0%
• Roman Catholic10.0%
• none2.0%
• other2.0%

English (official)

• English

Crime Information

Theft, armed robbery, and other violent crimes do occur in the BVI. Visitors should take common-sense precautions to guard against petty crime. Travelers should avoid carrying large amounts of cash and use hotel safety deposit facilities to safeguard valuables and travel documents. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach or in cars, and do not leave them in plain view inside rental properties or hotel rooms. Always lock up boats when going ashore. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law too.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the BVI, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in the BVI, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. Persons violating BVI law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in the BVI are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties. If you are arrested in the BVI, authorities of the BVI are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.