British Virgin Islands

Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, is situated on the horseshoe-shaped Road Harbor in the center island's south coast center.

The Road town name is derived from the nautical term the road, a place less sheltered than a harbor but to which ships can quickly get to A 28 hectares (69 acres) development called Wickham's Cay, consisting of two areas that were reclaimed from the sea and a marina, has enabled Road Town to emerge as a haven for yacht chartering and a center of tourism. This area is the newest part of the city and the hub for the BVI's latest commercial and administrative buildings.

The climate of the British Virgin Islands is tropical, hot throughout the year, and also influenced by the trade winds, with a more pleasant period from December to March.

The primary language of the British Virgin Island is English. But It is common to hear French Creole and Spanish spoke, particularly on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Spanish is spoken in the Virgin Islands by Puerto Rico and Santos Domingo immigrants.

1.  The British Virgin Islands boast stunning views of wide bays, clear turquoise waters, the natural beauty of mountains, botanical gardens, fifteen National Parks, and world-famous attractions such as the unique granite rock structure Baths ("Baths") on Virgin Gorda Island. 
2.  The British Virgin Islands is one of the wealthiest places in the Caribbean. Tourists are drawn by the pristine white sand beaches, the tropical climate, and the coral reefs. 
3.  The British Virgin Islands features beautiful coral reefs and rolling hills, and temperatures are an average of 76° Fahrenheit (26° Celsius). The plants are tropical, and several different wildlife species call the BVI home.
4.  The BVI is entirely independent of the United Kingdom, a British Overseas Territory. They recognized Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch, and there was a Governor of the British Islands who served as a representative of the British government.
5.  Many British Virgin Islands buildings are built in the traditional Caribbean style. Villas are usually constructed from concrete and characterized by wide verandas, high ceilings, and bright colors. Pergolas, rich vegetation on the site, use of local stone, and various types of wood help soften the hard lines of concrete structures. 

   

• Music and dance are an essential part of Virgin Islands culture. Besides listening to calypso, reggae, and steel pan bands, learn about Quelbe, a traditional music and dance style widespread on the islands. Also called Fungi music, Quelbe blends African slave beats with Caribbean folk melodies. 
• The British Virgin Islands culture is reflected in its many art forms, including such indigenous music as fungi, a form of scratch band music. But the music here also encompasses Caribbean imports, such as steel band music, whose melodic sounds originated in Trinidad. Reggae from Jamaica and salsa from Latin America add to the cultural mix. 
• Many local farmers still raise their livestock, grow their produce, and sell their wares at outdoor markets despite modern supermarkets and foreign foods.
• British Virgin Islands people's influence has made basketball a more famous sport than cricket, and immigrants from Spanish-speaking islands brought salsa and meringue to the British Virgin Islands. Steel and fungi bands use washboards, gourds, and other improvised instruments to make their quelbe music.
• The bamboula, an African drumming and movement style, is also a celebrated tradition in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans, bamboula dance compels dancers to have conversations with their heartbeats the drums.
• People of the Virgin Islands are earnest about having fun. Fusing African traditions with European customs, Carnival is a three- to four-week celebration in April on St. Thomas, June to July on St. John, and December to January on St. Croix.