Trivia in BVI

Learn fascinating facts and trivia about this country

Americas / Caribbean

National symbols

Flag: A Blue Ensign with a coat of arms depicting Saint Ursula and 11 lamps on the right side.

BVI Flag

Emblem: A coat of arms featuring Saint Ursula in white and 11 golden lamps on a green shield, with the motto 'VIGILATE' below.

BVI Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • A Caribbean-accented "Virgin Islands Patois" is used colloquially.
  • Registered offshore companies exceed 1 million cumulatively, over 100 times the population.
  • Known as the "Sailing Capital of the World," international yacht events are held year-round.
  • The wreck site "RMS Rhone" was a filming location for the movie "The Deep."
  • The US dollar has been used since 1959; there is no local currency.
  • Sage Mountain National Park is one of the oldest tropical cloud forest reserves in the British Caribbean.
  • Entrepreneur Richard Branson owns Necker Island.
  • Drive on the left, but most vehicles are US-spec left-hand drive.
  • The phone code 284 matches the keypad letters "BVI."
  • Visitor numbers recovered within a few years after Hurricane Irma in 2017.
  • Beef Island Airport's runway is about 1,400m; large aircraft do not operate, requiring small planes or San Juan connections.
  • Road Town's harbor features adjacent cruise terminals and yacht marinas, with smooth immigration procedures.
  • Mail is mostly via PO boxes; many addresses lack street numbers.
  • Salt Island once had thriving salt extraction, producing salt presented to the British royal family.
  • Sage Mountain (521m) is the territory's highest peak; on clear days, Puerto Rico is visible.

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