01-15-2006, 08:39 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Almighty Cruiser
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 37,265
Frubals:2147483647
Activity:  Today:  |
- People: top
The 1980 Population census of the BVI recorded the population of the country as 10,985, of which 51.1% were males. Data from the 1991 population census shows that the population grew by 5,123 to 16,108. Such growth represented a natural increase (birth minus deaths) of 1,969 and a net migration inflow of 3,154 persons.
The large inflow of immigrants, consisting of mainly workers, accompanied in some cases by their dependents during the 1980-1991 period, was a consequence of an increase in the demand for labour which the local labour force could not supply, due to inadequate numbers and the lack of the range of skills demanded.
This accelerated increase in the demand of labour primarily stemmed from a sharp increase in economic activity in the tourism, construction, and financial services sectors from 1986.
During the last decade, the population increased some 61% with more than 80% of this increase being classified as migration. In fact, population changes attributable to migration moved from net outward migration in 1980 to three times that figure in new migration inflows in 1991. The age and sex structure of the population is distinctly different from that of many countries in the Caribbean sub-region in that a rapid depletion of persons after the age of 20 because of the absence of migration. The unusual age structure is explained by the rapid economic transformation of the country from agricultural production to a service economy mainly oriented around tourism and financial services.
- Languages: top
English (official)
- Terrain: top
Volcanic islands: steep & hilly Coral islands: relatively flat.
- Visas: top
Citizens of the US and Canada do not require a visa or passport, but should carry a birth certificate or naturalization certificate with a picture ID to prove citizenship. British citizens need a passport but not a visa. Citizens of all other countries need a passport, and, in some cases, a visa. Visitors are permitted to stay up to six months but must have an onward ticket.
- Temporary Driver's Licence: top
Visitors who wish to drive in the B.V.I. must obtain a temporary driver's licence, either from the Vehicle Licensing Department or from a car hire firm, with production of a valid driver's licence from another country and payment of $10. This licence is valid for three months. If a person cannot produce a valid driver's licence he/she must apply to take the driving tests, practical and written, which may take some weeks to be scheduled. (Car hire firms will not rent out their vehicles to any one under the age of 23.)
- Events: top
The BVI Summer Fest is a two week riot of noise and color: calypso, fungi and steel bands shake it up, pageants crown festival queens and people flood the streets. The festival is the British Virgin Islands' own version of Carnival and celebrates the emancipation of the islands' African slaves. Most activity takes place in Road Town on Tortola.
Public Holidays
1 January - New Year's Day
Early March - Commonwealth Day
Late March or April - Easter
30 April - Queen's Birthday
Late May or early June - Whit Monday
June - Sovereign's Birthday
Early July - Territory Day
October 21 - St Ursula's Day
November 14 - Birthday of Heir to the Throne
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Boxing Day
- Coastal Zone: top
The coastal zone consists of many different sub-systems e.g beaches, mangroves, cliffs, coral reefs, sea grass beds, these are all interconnected such that impacts on one sub-system affects the entire system. Total length of beaches in the BVI is 49 miles.
- Rainfall: top
48.38 mm in (1999); the wettest months are from September to December; February to April are the driest.
- The Seasons: top
Winter Season – December through March
While North America and most of Europe are locked in the icy grip of winter, the BVI enjoys airy trade winds and plentiful sunshine. During the winter, temperatures in the BVI will range between 72°F (22°C) and 82°F (28°C). Located at a latitude of 18 degrees north and a longitude of 65 degrees west, our islands are subject to easterly trade winds named for the direction from which they begin. These winds are called “trades” because originally they brought clipper ships filled with goods from Europe and Africa to the BVI and other areas of the Caribbean and North America.
In the winter our stable weather pattern is broken when depressions move across the southern United States and exit on the Eastern Florida coast into the Northern Atlantic. These depressions do not normally enter the Caribbean directly, but have a trailing cold front that reaches as far east as the BVI and occasionally, well beyond. When strong high-pressure centres are located in the North Atlantic, they cause what sailors call the “Christmas Winds” and windy gusts can reach over 20 knots. Later, winter and spring winds will then ease back into trade winds with an ESE or SE direction and blow between 15 and 20 knots with seasonal gusts.
Spring Season – April through June
From the middle of April through the remainder of the year, the winter trade winds begin to moderate and we experience a slow increase in daytime temperatures. Daytime highs range from 90°F (32°C), with night time temperatures varying only ten degrees lower at approximately 80F (27°C) with a 20% chance of brief showers. At this time, the these islands take on a fresh green lushness that announces the arrival of a new season. Spring represents an excellent time for snorkelling and diving as the wave action is greatly reduced from the “Christmas Winds” occurring in winter.
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