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The  British Virgin Islands (BVI) are a collection of 60 islands, cays and rocks in the north-eastern
Caribbean approximately 60 miles to the east of Puerto Rico. The islands form almost an oval around the largest island, Tortola (21 sq. miles). The second largest island is Virgin Gorda
(8 sq miles). Renowned for its sailing, first class white beaches, water sports and engaging people, the BVI offers an innovative, yet strictly regulated international financial services
centre for investors all over the world.
The islands, being 1100 miles north of the equator and 300 miles south of the Tropic of Cancer, have a tropical climate tempered by a south-easterly breeze. At sea-level the temperature
rarely drops below 70°F or 21°C or rises above 94°F or 34°C.
The BVI is a British Overseas Territory as determined by the British Overseas Territory Act 2002 and its 1967 Constitution.
The Queen is the Head of State and the Governor is Her Majesty’s representative responsible for external affairs, defence, the judicial and legal departments of government, internal security
and the civil service, as stated in the Constitution. Since 1967, the BVI has held responsibility for its own internal affairs. The Constitution provides for BVIslanders to be represented by
a ministerial system of government, led by an elected Chief Minister, an Executive Council chaired by the Governor, and a 15-member Legislative Council with elections held every four years.
The judicial system, based on English law, is under the direction of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, which includes the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal. The ultimate
appellate court is the Privy Council in London.
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About Us > Introduction British Virgin Islands, Nature's little secret
