The
Development Planning Unit
Government of the British Virgin Islands

OUR LAND

Geography of the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands comprises of a group of thirty six (36) islands, islets and cays situated in the Eastern Caribbean (EC) at Longtitude 64o 30oW and Latitude 18o 30oN. The islands together constitute an area of 59 sq. Miles (153 sq km) and are washed by a territorial sea of 575 sq. Miles (1,489 sq. km). The area of sea is about 10 times that of the land area.

Download the list of the Islands, Cay and Rocks in the British Virgin Islands below

The territory experiences a sub-tropical climate with a diurnal temperature range of 77-85 degrees F (25-29 degrees C). As a result of its position in the North East Trade Winds (NETW) belt, temperature usually drops 10 degress F (6 degrees C) at night. The Trade Winds (TW) blow at a constant speed for most of the year except during the hurricane season from June to September when the territory is exposed to tropical storm force winds of up to 100 miles per hour (161 km per hour) or greater. Notable hurricanes and tropical storms that have struck the BVI were Tropical Storm Klaus in 1984, Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricanes Louis and Marilyn in 1995. Hurricanes Hugo, Louis and Marilyn were grouped as category 4 hurricanes clocking sustained winds of over 100 mph (161 km/hr). Hurricane Klaus in particular wreaked damage of over $150 m.

Rainfall averages 40 inches (102cm) per year along with the coastal areas reaching over 70 inches (178 cm) in the mountainous area. The wettest months are from September to December with February to April, the driest.

There is very little surface water, since there are no perennial streams. Traditionally water has been secured from wells dug in the alluvial valleys and ghut areas of Tortola and Virgin Gorda in particular. Other main catchment areas are provided through cisterns which are mandated by the building code. However, recently major desalination plants have been installed on Tortola and Virgin Gorda producing large volumes of water through the process of reverse osmosis.

Land Use
The basic elements which have affected the land use pattern in the British Virgin Islands are the availability of flat land, topography, accessibility to road systems and marine areas, and development of hotel and marina activities which are tied to coastal areas and land holding. Table 5.1 indicates the major land use categories for the larger islands in the territory. Of the entire territory 6,436 acres are developed. Scrub, sparse woodland and ponds account for over 26,686 acres of land. This indicates that 20% of all the lands in the territory are developed.

Generalized Land Use Categories by Cadastral Section
Table 5.1

N.B. 1. Jost Van Dyke includes Little Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay & Green Cay, Little and Great Tobago

2. Virgin Gorda East includes Eustatia, Necker, Mosquito and Prickly Pear Islands.

Anegada land use – parcels 8, 110 and 105 were adjusted to reflect the portions of land that was occupied for residential purpose.

There are 26,060 acres of undeveloped land in the territory. Map 5-1 indicates the areas in which these lands are located. In Tortola vacant lands account for 70% of the island comprising some 10,323 acres. These lands are mainly in the steeply sloping areas throughout the island especially on the northern slopes and in the vicinity of Mount Sage and on Beef Island.

Development occupies 25% of the land on Tortola. Road Town and East End are the largest developed areas occupying 654 and 228 acres respectively. Much of the underdeveloped land in Tortola is located on very steep slopes (over 50% slope). The largest settlements are located on Tortola with Road Town the capital, being the major centre both in terms of size and level of public facilities. There are three significant areas of flat, vacant land in Tortola these are Johnson’s Ghut, Nibbs Estate and Josiah’s Bay, Paraquita Bay and Coxheath. There are also substantial areas of flat land on Beef Island.

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This page was last updated on: Monday, 21st November 2005