ale: 74.75 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander

Ethnic divisions: black 90%, white, Asian

Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of
God 7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses
2%, other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)

Languages: English (official)

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1991 est.)
total population: 97.8%
male: NA%
female: NA%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: British Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI

Data code: VI

Type of government: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: Road Town

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July

Constitution: 1 June 1977

Legal system: English law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (of the United Kingdom since 6
February 1952), hereditary monarch, is represented by Governor David
MACKILLIGIN (since NA June 1995) who was appointed by the queen
head of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May
1995; appointed after the death of former Chief Minister H. Lavity
STOUTT) was appointed by the governor from among the members of the
Legislative Council
cabinet: Executive Council is appointed by the governor

Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be
held NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats
- (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO;
Virgin Islands Party (VIP); Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM), E.
Walwyln BREWLEY

International organization participation: Caricom (associate),
CDB, ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate),
UNESCO (associate)

Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)

US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side
quadrant and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer
half of the flag;