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Country name:
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conventional long form:
none
conventional short form: British Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI |
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Dependency status:
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overseas territory of the UK;
internal self-governing |
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Government type:
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NA
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Capital:
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Road Town
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Administrative divisions:
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none (overseas territory of
the UK) |
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Independence:
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none (overseas territory of
the UK) |
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National holiday:
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Territory Day, 1 July
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Constitution:
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1 June 1977
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Legal system:
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English law
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Queen
ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Tom MACAN
(since 14 October 2002)
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the
monarch; chief minister appointed by the governor from among the members of
the Legislative Council
head of government: Chief Minister Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May
1995)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from members of
the Legislative Council |
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Legislative branch:
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unicameral Legislative
Council (13 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote, one member
from each of 9 electoral districts, four at-large members; members serve
four-year terms)
elections: last held 17 May 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party -
VIP 7, CCM 1, NDP 5 |
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Judicial branch:
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Eastern Caribbean Supreme
Court, consisting of the High Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal (one
judge of the Supreme Court is a resident of the islands and presides over
the High Court); Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court; Court of Summary
Jurisdiction |
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Political parties and leaders:
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Concerned Citizens Movement
or CCM [Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH];
United Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T.
O'NEAL] |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
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International organization participation:
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Caricom (associate), CDB,
ECLAC (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO
(associate) |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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none (overseas territory of
the UK) |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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none (overseas territory of
the UK) |
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Flag description:
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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; the coat of arms depicts a woman
flanked on either side by a vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll
bearing the Latin word VIGILATE (Be Watchful) |
