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COUNTRY OVERVIEW | ||||||||||||||||
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COUNTRY GENERAL INFORMATION | |||||||
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Language: |
English (official) |
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Currency: | US Dollar (USD) | ||||||
Predominant Religions: |
Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%, Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other 15%), Roman Catholic 10%, other 2%, none 2% |
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National Holidays: | Territory Day, 1 July (1956) | ||||||
Economic Status: |
The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, generating an estimated 45% of the national income. |
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Security: |
None, defense is the responsibility of the UK. |
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US Presence: |
The US Embassy covering the BVI is located in Bridgetown, Barbados in the Wildey Business Park in St. Michael, Barbados. The Consular Section can be reached by telephone at 1-246-227-4193, by fax at 1-246-431-0179, or contacted by e-mail. After hours, the Embassy duty officer can be reached by calling 1-246-227-4000. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Barbados online for more information. Hours of operation are 8:30A to 4:00P, except Barbados and US holidays. |
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Document Requirements: |
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires all travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a valid passport to enter or re-enter the United States. US citizens must have a valid US passport if traveling by air, including to and from Mexico. If traveling by sea, US citizens can use a passport or passport card. We strongly encourage all American citizen travelers to apply for a US passport or passport card well in advance of anticipated travel. American citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports. |
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Major Airports: |
Airports: 3, Airports with paved runways: 2 Beef Island - Terrance B Lettsome International Airport (TUPJ) |
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Servicing Airlines: |
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Risks and Precautions: |
Thefts and armed robberies do occur in the BVI. Visitors should take common-sense precautions against petty crime. |
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Mortality Statistics: |
Infant MR total: 16.13 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Immunization Indicators: |
Required: None |
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Infectious Disease Concerns: |
Cutaneous larval migrants is a risk for travelers with exposures on beaches and leptospirosis is common in many areas and poses a risk to travelers engaged in recreational freshwater activities. Such activities may include whitewater rafting, kayaking, adventure racing, or hiking. Endemic leptospirosis is reported in Jamaica. |
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Overall Quality of Medical Services: |
Medical care in the British Virgin Islands consists of a small general hospital with an emergency room staffed 24-hrs/day by physicians, several clinics on Tortola, and one clinic in Virgin Gorda. Both islands are served by ambulances staffed with paramedics. There are no medical facilities on the other islands. |
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Providers in Network: |
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Recent Medical Threats/ Concerns/Warnings: |
Dengue epidemics have occurred on many of the Caribbean islands. Most islands are infested with Aedes aegypti, so these places are at risk for introduction of dengue. Protecting yourself against insect bites (see below) will help to prevent this disease. |
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Communications Info: |
Country Calling Code: 1 + local number (no international calling code) |