65-648: Anegada / ˌ æ n ə ˈ ɡ ɑː d ə / is the northernmost of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands . It lies approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Virgin Gorda . Anegada is the only inhabited British Virgin Island formed from coral and limestone , rather than being of volcanic origin. While the other islands are mountainous, Anegada
130-443: A tropical rainforest climate , moderated by trade winds . Temperatures vary little throughout the year. In the capital, Road Town , typical daily maxima are around 32 °C (89.6 °F) in the summer and 29 °C (84.2 °F) in the winter. Typical daily minima are around 26 °C (78.8 °F) in the summer and 23 °C (73.4 °F) in the winter. Rainfall averages about 1,150 mm (45.3 in) per year, higher in
195-401: A Recovery & Development Authority led by highly skilled infrastructure personnel, many of whom were ex-military with decades of infrastructure rebuilding expertise from war zones and natural disaster sites. Many wealthy residents also proposed a large rebuilding plan, starting with key infrastructure, such as the high school. Nearly five years later, there was no sign of any such rebuilding of
260-735: A copy of the Letter of Entrustment which was sent to the Government of the British Virgin Islands, to the Government of the United States of America "via diplomatic note of 28 May 2014". The Letter of Entrustment dated 14 July 2010 was originally provided to the Government of the British Virgin Islands and authorised the Government of the BVI "to negotiate and conclude Agreements relating to taxation that provide for exchange of information on tax matters to
325-460: A memorandum requiring that the postage stamps in the territory should say "British Virgin Islands" (whereas previously they had simply stated "Virgin Islands"), a practice which is still followed today. This was likely to prevent confusion following on from the adoption of US currency in the territory in 1959, and the references to US currency on the stamps of the territory. It is generally thought that
390-586: A single facility, His Majesty's Prison in East End, Tortola. The British and US Virgin Islands sit at the axis of a major drugs transshipment point between Latin America and the continental United States. The American Drug Enforcement Administration regards the adjacent US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands as a "High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area". As a British Overseas territory, defence of
455-462: A state of emergency. Visiting Tortola on 13 September 2017, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that he was reminded of photos of Hiroshima after it had been hit by the atom bomb. By 8 September, the UK government sent troops with medical supplies and other aid. More troops were expected to arrive a day or two later, but HMS Ocean , carrying more extensive assistance, was not expected to reach
520-543: A variety of publications and public records dating from between 21 February 1857 and 12 September 1919 where the territory is referred to as the British Virgin Islands. British Virgin Islands government publications continue to begin with the name "The territory of the Virgin Islands", and the territory's passports simply refer to the "Virgin Islands", and all laws begin with the words "Virgin Islands". Moreover,
585-536: A very popular way to visit less accessible islands. Established in 1972, the BVI hosts the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival. A substantial number of the tourists who visit the BVI are cruise ship passengers, and although they produce far lower revenue per head than charter boat tourists and hotel based tourists, they are nonetheless important to the substantial - and politically important - taxi driving community. Financial services account for over half of
650-523: Is Daniel Pruce (since 29 January 2024). The current Premier is Natalio Wheatley (since 5 May 2022), who is leader of the Virgin Islands Party . On 8 June 2022, subordinate UK legislation was made allowing for direct rule for the islands. However, the British Government decided on that date not to implement direct rule. The British Virgin Islands is a unitary territory. The territory
715-495: Is about 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide. The islands had a population of 28,054 at the 2010 Census, of whom 23,491 lived on Tortola; current estimates put the population at 35,802 (July 2018). British Virgin Islanders are British Overseas Territories citizens and since 2002, are also British citizens . The islands were named "Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes" by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after
SECTION 10
#1732856098060780-437: Is common to hear criticism in the British Virgin Islands' press about income inequality , no serious attempt has been made by economists to calculate a Gini coefficient or similar measure of income equality for the territory. A report from 2000 suggested that, despite the popular perception, income inequality was actually lower in the British Virgin Islands than in any other OECS state , although in global terms income equality
845-464: Is divided into nine electoral districts, and each voter is registered in one of those districts. Eight of the nine districts are partly or wholly on Tortola, and encompass nearby neighbouring islands. Only the ninth district (Virgin Gorda and Anegada) does not include any part of Tortola. At elections, in addition to voting their local representative, voters also cast votes for four candidates who are elected upon an at-large territory-wide basis. Crime in
910-578: Is flat and low. Its highest point is only about 28 feet (8.5 m) above sea level, earning it its name, which is the Spanish term for the flooded land, "tierra anegada". Additionally, Anegada is the only sliver of land directly south of Bermuda , another British overseas territory. Nonetheless, Anegada lies directly west of Mauritania in Africa and east of all other islands in the British Virgin Islands . At about 15 square miles (38 square kilometers), Anegada
975-505: Is geologically distinct from the rest of the group, being a flat island composed of limestone and coral. The British Virgin Islands contain the Leeward Islands moist forests and Leeward Islands xeric scrub terrestrial ecoregions. In the British Virgin Islands forest cover is around 24% of the total land area, equivalent to 3,620 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 3,710 hectares (ha) in 1990. The British Virgin Islands have
1040-501: Is higher in the Caribbean than in many other regions. Tourism accounts for approximately 45% of national income. The islands are a popular destination for US citizens. Tourists frequent the numerous white sand beaches, visit The Baths on Virgin Gorda , snorkel the coral reefs near Anegada, or experience the well-known bars of Jost Van Dyke. The BVI are known as one of the world's greatest sailing destinations, and charter sailboats are
1105-575: Is no record of any native Amerindian population in the British Virgin Islands during this period; it is thought that they either fled to safer islands or were killed. The Dutch established a permanent settlement on the island of Tortola by 1648, frequently clashing with the Spanish who were based on nearby Puerto Rico. In 1672, the English captured Tortola from the Dutch, and the English annexation of Anegada and Virgin Gorda followed in 1680. Meanwhile, over
1170-425: Is the second largest of the British Virgin Islands. with a population of 450 as of the 2024 Census. Most of the population on Anegada live in the only village, The Settlement . The primary business of Anegada is tourism. On a typical day during the tourist season, the island will have an additional 200 to 300 visitors. Commercial fishing is also a substantial business on Anegada, with local fishermen providing most of
1235-674: The 2013 G8 summit putting their governance and regulatory regimes far ahead of many "onshore" jurisdictions. On 10 September 2013, British Prime Minister David Cameron said "I do not think it is fair any longer to refer to any of the Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies as tax havens. They have taken action to make sure that they have fair and open tax systems. It is very important that our focus should now shift to those territories and countries that really are tax havens." Yet journalist and author for The Economist, Nicholas Shaxson, writes in his 2016 Treasure Islands, tax havens and
1300-713: The Danish Virgin Islands for US$ 25 million, renaming them the United States Virgin Islands . Economic linkages with the US islands prompted the British Virgin Islands to adopt the US dollar as its currency in 1959. The British Virgin Islands were administered variously as part of the British Leeward Islands or with St. Kitts and Nevis , with an administrator representing the British Government on
1365-568: The US Virgin Islands , and about 95 km (59 mi) from the Puerto Rican mainland. About 150 km (93 mi) east south-east lies Anguilla . The North Atlantic Ocean lies to the east of the islands, and the Caribbean Sea lies to the west. Most of the islands are volcanic in origin and have a hilly, rugged terrain. The highest point is Mount Sage on Tortola at 521m. Anegada
SECTION 20
#17328560980601430-523: The Virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles and part of the West Indies . The British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola , Virgin Gorda , Anegada and Jost Van Dyke , along with more than 50 other smaller islands and cays . About 16 of the islands are inhabited. The capital, Road Town , is on Tortola, the largest island, which
1495-475: The storm surge and breaking waves. The north side of the island experienced no storm surge, and Horseshoe Reef protected the north side of the island from breaking waves. There were no reported serious injuries to anyone on the island. Approximately 70 students attend school at the Claudia Creque Educational Centre, formerly Anegada Primary and Secondary School. This self-contained school is
1560-505: The 19th and early 20th centuries and disappeared by 1950. They have since been re-established. As of 2016, the flamingo flock numbers approximately 200 birds. The birds are another tourist draw, but officials are trying to keep the number of visitors to the flamingo areas at a level that allows the birds to flourish. The western salt ponds and south-eastern coastal mangroves have been recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International . Other rare or endangered animals include
1625-572: The Anegada rock iguana ( Cyclura pinguis ) and several species of turtle . Conch , Caribbean lobster ( Metanephrops binghami ), and many species of fishes can be found near Anegada, particularly in the deep waters off the North Drop to the north of the island. The Ft. Worth Zoo now maintains an Anegada Rock "Headstart" facility in the Settlement. Newly hatched iguanas are caught in the wild, brought to
1690-613: The April 2016 Panama Papers leak, while all of the wrongdoing by Mossack Fonseca personnel occurred in Panama and the US, the British Virgin Islands was by far the most commonly-used jurisdiction by clients of Mossack Fonseca . In 2022, the verified nature of beneficial ownership registers of the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies were a crucial tool in giving effect to sanctions against Russia and Belarus , enabling
1755-704: The BVI Commercial Court routinely hears highly sophisticated matters at the cutting edge of cross-border litigation and enforcement, where billions of dollars are at issue. Citco , also known as the Citco Group of Companies and the Curaçao International Trust Co., is a privately owned global hedge fund administrator headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, founded in 1948. It is the world's largest hedge fund administrator, managing over $ 1 trillion in assets under administration. In May 2022,
1820-422: The British Virgin Islands in a position where it would be at a severe disadvantage because other International Finance Centres do not have this in place, and in the case of the US and the UK, there is very little near-term prospect of the same. In late 2022, both of the US and EU appeared to have endorsed the British Overseas Territories' beneficial ownership register regimes. In a judgment dated 22 November 2022,
1885-536: The British Virgin Islands is comparatively low by Caribbean standards. Whilst statistics and hard data are relatively rare, and are not regularly published by governmental sources in the British Virgin Islands, the Premier did announce that in 2013 there has been a 14% decline in recorded crime as against 2012. Homicides are rare, with just one incident recorded in 2013. The Virgin Islands Prison Service operates
1950-522: The Caribbean for a hurricane relief fund and promised that the UK government would match donations from the public to the British Red Cross appeal. Specifics were not provided to the news media as to the amount that would be allocated to the Virgin Islands. Boris Johnson's visit to Tortola on 13 September 2017 during his Caribbean tour was intended to confirm the UK's commitment to helping restore British islands but he provided no additional comments on
2015-498: The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, as well as the more recent BVI Arbitration Centre. Caribbean KCs and British KCs preside over the majority of important cases and the laws of the Virgin Islands are based on English laws, meaning the jurisdiction provides clarity and consistency should parties require commercial disputes to be resolved. Owing to the international nature of BVI companies' operations and asset holdings,
Anegada - Misplaced Pages Continue
2080-808: The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has at last decided that open public access to the beneficial owner registers of EU member state companies is no longer valid, as it is in contravention of articles 7 and 8 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter). The US appears to have come to a similar conclusion regarding balancing confidentiality and legitimate privacy with the Anti-Money Laundering advantages of having verified beneficial ownerships registers. The resultant goal appears to be to bring
2145-839: The OECD standard" (Paragraph 2 of the FATCA Agreement). Via an "Entrustment Letter" dated 24 March 2014, The Government of the United Kingdom, authorised the Government of the BVI to sign an agreement on information exchange to facilitate the Implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. On 27 March 2017, the US Treasury site disclosed that the Model 1 agreement and related agreement were "In Force" on 13 July 2015. Under
2210-757: The UK Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2018, beneficial ownership of companies in British overseas territories such as the British Virgin Islands must be publicly registered for disclosure by 31 December 2020. The Government of the British Virgin Islands has not yet formally challenged this law, yet has criticised it, noting that it violates the Constitutional sovereignty granted to the islands, and would in practice be relatively ineffective in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, while raising serious privacy and human rights issues. Further, this would put
2275-527: The US in line with the current Cayman and BVI regimes. The UK's Crown Dependencies have already stated that they will not implement public registers without beforehand having received fresh legal advice on the matter and it is thought that the Overseas Territories would logically take a similar position. The UK is yet to come out in support of the BOTs and CDs and their current gold standard regulatory positions. Metanephrops binghami Metanephrops binghami ,
2340-594: The United Kingdom. The most recent constitution was adopted in 2007 (the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007) and came into force when the Legislative Council was dissolved for the 2007 general election . The head of government under the constitution is the Premier (before the new constitution the office was referred to as Chief Minister ), who is elected in a general election along with
2405-505: The Virgin Islands were first settled by the Arawak from South America around 100 BC to AD 200, though there is some evidence of Amerindian presence on the islands as far back as 1500 BC. The Arawaks inhabited the islands until the 15th century when they were displaced by the Kalinago (Island Caribs), a tribe from the Lesser Antilles islands. The first European sighting of the Virgin Islands
2470-440: The aid package. He did confirm that HMS Ocean had departed for the BVI carrying items like timber, buckets, bottled water, food, baby milk, bedding and clothing, as well as ten pickup trucks, building materials and hardware. The UK offered to underwrite rebuilding loans up to US$ 400m as long as there was accountability as to how the monies were spent. Successive NDP and VIP governments declined, despite there having been created
2535-503: The banking sector of the British Virgin Islands comprised only seven commercial banks and one restricted bank, 12 authorised custodians, two licensed money services businesses and one licensed financing service provider. The British Virgin Islands is frequently referred to as a " tax haven " by campaigners and NGOs, including Oxfam. Successive governments in the British Virgin Islands have implemented tax exchange agreements and verified beneficial ownership information of companies following
2600-446: The efficient identification and seizure of yachts, real estate and businesses. On 30 June 2014, The British Virgin Islands was deemed to have an Inter- Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the United States of America with respect to the "Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act" of the United States of America. The Model 1 Agreement (14 Pages) recognizes that: The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland provided
2665-533: The facility, and raised until they are large enough to defend themselves against the feral cats that are their only predator on Anegada. As of 2016, over 200 iguanas have been released from the Headstart program back into the wild. In addition, an annual Iguana Festival is held outside the Iguana Headstart Facility to celebrate the island's native species. The reef adjacent to the Settlement was once one of
Anegada - Misplaced Pages Continue
2730-432: The fresh fish and lobster catch for the rest of the British Virgin Islands. Its miles of south shore flats have a large population of bonefish , making Anegada a popular destination for fly fishing . From 2008 to 2013 Anegada was home to one of the tallest Christmas trees in the Caribbean and had an official tree lighting ceremony and party each year. The tree donated by Adrian Johnson was intended to help bring visitors to
2795-515: The high school or certain other key infrastructure. The territory operates as a parliamentary democracy . Ultimate executive authority in the British Virgin Islands is vested in the King , and is exercised on his behalf by the Governor of the British Virgin Islands . The governor is appointed by the King on the advice of the British Government . Defence and most foreign affairs remain the responsibility of
2860-542: The hills and lower on the coast. Rainfall can be quite variable, but the wettest months on average are September to November and the driest months on average are February and March. Hurricanes occasionally hit the islands, with the Atlantic hurricane season running from June to November. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the islands, causing extensive damage, especially on Tortola, and killing four people. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency declared
2925-448: The income of the territory. The majority of this revenue is generated by the licensing of offshore companies and related services. The British Virgin Islands is a significant global player in the offshore financial services industry . Since 2001, financial services in the British Virgin Islands have been regulated by the independent Financial Services Commission . The BVI is relied upon for its sophisticated Commercial Court division of
2990-440: The island and provided a flotilla destination for many sailors. Access to the island is via the small Auguste George Airport (NGD), thrice-weekly ferries , and private boat. Charter flights run directly to Anegada from Tortola and Virgin Gorda , in the BVI, as well as San Juan , St. Thomas , Antigua and St. Maarten . Anegada is known for miles of white sand beaches and the 18-mile (29 km)-long Horseshoe Reef, one of
3055-417: The island. On 6 September 2017, the eye of Hurricane Irma passed 12 miles (19 km) south of Anegada at category 5, with winds in excess of 185 mph (83 m/s). The northern eyewall of Irma passed directly over Anegada, causing major damage to the island. Some people evacuated to Tortola before the storm struck, but most people remained on the island. There was some flooding on the south side from
3120-412: The islands , causing four deaths and immense damage. The British Virgin Islands comprise around 60 tropical Caribbean islands, ranging in size from the largest, Tortola, being 20 km (12 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide, to tiny uninhabited islets , altogether about 150 square kilometres (58 square miles) in extent. They are located in the Virgin Islands archipelago , a few miles east of
3185-418: The islands for another two weeks. Entrepreneur Richard Branson , a resident of Necker Island , called on the UK government to develop a massive disaster recovery plan to include "both through short-term aid and long-term infrastructure spending". Premier Orlando Smith also called for a comprehensive aid package to rebuild the territory. On 10 September UK Prime Minister Theresa May pledged £32 million to
3250-515: The islands is the responsibility of the United Kingdom. The twin pillars of the economy are financial services (60%) and tourism (roughly 40-45% of GDP). Economically however, financial services associated with the territory's status as an offshore financial centre are by far the more important. 51.8% of the Government's revenue comes directly from licence fees for offshore companies, and considerable further sums are raised directly or indirectly from payroll taxes relating to salaries paid within
3315-470: The islands. The islands gained separate colony status in 1960 and became autonomous in 1967 under the new post of Chief Minister. Since the 1960s, the islands have diversified away from their traditionally agriculture-based economy towards tourism and financial services, becoming one of the wealthiest areas in the Caribbean. The constitution of the islands was amended in 1977, 2004 and 2007, giving them greater local autonomy. In 2017 Hurricane Irma struck
SECTION 50
#17328560980603380-571: The largest barrier coral reefs in the Caribbean . The reef makes navigation to Anegada difficult. While charter boats freely sail among most of the other Virgin Islands, charter companies often forbid clients to sail to Anegada to avoid running aground on the reef. The reef has caused hundreds of shipwrecks, including HMS Astraea in 1808, the Donna Paula (1819), and the MS Rocus (1929) As such, it
3445-474: The legend of Saint Ursula and the 11,000 virgins. The name was later shortened to "the Virgin Islands". The official name of the territory is still simply the "Virgin Islands", but the prefix "British" is often used. This is commonly believed to distinguish it from the neighbouring American territory which changed its name from the " Danish West Indies " to " Virgin Islands of the United States " in 1917. However, local historians have disputed this, pointing to
3510-564: The men who stole the world : "...Britain sits, spider-like, at the centre of a vast international web of tax havens, which hoover up trillions of dollars' worth of business and capital from around the globe and funnel it up to the City of London. The British Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories - ...the British Virgin Islands... are some of the biggest players in the offshore world."(pp. vii-viii) Shaxson points out that despite BVI having fewer than 25000 inhabitants, hosts over 800,000 companies. In
3575-422: The more fertile conch grounds in the Caribbean, but overfishing has wiped out the conch population there. Visitors to the settlement are greeted by the sight of mountains of empty conch shells on the shore when they arrive. There are also populations of feral cattle , donkeys , goats , cows and sheep that live in all areas of the island. Anegadians traditionally endured hurricanes by tying their dories to
3640-515: The only school on Anegada and handles pre-school, primary, and secondary levels. It is funded and operated by the British Virgin Islands government. British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands ( BVI ), officially the Virgin Islands , are a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean , to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and north-west of Anguilla . The islands are geographically part of
3705-631: The other members of the ruling government as well as the members of the opposition. Elections are held roughly every four years. A cabinet is nominated by the Premier and appointed and chaired by the Governor. The Legislature consists of the King (represented by the Governor) and a unicameral House of Assembly made up of 13 elected members plus the Speaker and the Attorney General . The current Governor
3770-503: The period 1672–1733, the Danish gained control of the nearby islands of Saint Thomas , Saint John and Saint Croix (i.e. the modern US Virgin Islands). The British islands were considered principally a strategic possession. The British introduced sugar cane which was to become the main crop and source of foreign trade, and large numbers of slaves were forcibly brought from Africa to work on
3835-502: The south side from the storm surge and breaking waves. The north side of the island experienced no storm surge, and Horseshoe Reef protected the north side of the island from breaking waves. 24 hours before the storm arrived, the forecast was for the storm to pass well to the north. By the time that it was apparent that the hurricane was going to have a major impact, all transportation services from Anegada (air and ferry) had been suspended. There were no reported serious injuries to anyone on
3900-526: The sugar cane plantations. The islands prospered economically until the middle of the nineteenth century, when a combination of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, a series of disastrous hurricanes, and the growth in the sugar beet crop in Europe and the United States significantly reduced sugar cane production and led to a period of economic decline. In 1917, the United States purchased
3965-425: The territory's Constitutional Commission has expressed the view that "every effort should be made" to encourage the use of the name "Virgin Islands". But various public and quasi-public bodies continue to use the name "British Virgin Islands" or "BVI", including BVI Finance, BVI Electricity Corporation, BVI Tourist Board, BVI Athletic Association, BVI Bar Association and others. In 1968 the British Government issued
SECTION 60
#17328560980604030-421: The trunks of mangroves with rope and covering with a tarp. Today, given sufficient warning, a few leave the island and go to Tortola until after the storm passes. On 30 August 2010, the eye of Hurricane Earl passed 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 km) north of Anegada at category 4, with winds in excess of 135 mph (60 m/s). The close passage led to significant damage on the island, with major flooding on
4095-504: The trust industry sector (which tend to be higher on average than those paid in the tourism sector). The official currency of the British Virgin Islands has been the United States dollar (US$ ) since 1959, the currency also used by the United States Virgin Islands . The British Virgin Islands enjoys one of the more prosperous economies of the Caribbean region, with a per capita average income of around $ 47,000 (2022 est.) Although it
4160-466: Was by the Spanish expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1493 on his second voyage to the Americas, who gave the islands their modern name. The Spanish Empire claimed the islands by discovery in the early 16th century, but never settled them, and subsequent years saw the English, Dutch, French, Spanish, and Danish all jostling for control of the region, which became a notorious haunt for pirates . There
4225-460: Was once an important scuba diving destination. In an effort to protect the reef, the BVI government has made anchoring on Horseshoe Reef illegal. Anegada is also known for the large salt ponds that cover much of the west end of the island, These ponds, which support unique fauna, were designated a Ramsar Site on 11 May 1999. In the 1830s, thousands of Caribbean flamingos lived in these ponds, but they were hunted for food and feathers throughout
#59940