Population: 38,632
Motto: Vigilate (Be Vigilant)
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) have 3 versions of their flag. The blue one is the country’s flag, the red one is found on ships, the third is for the governor.
The BVI is actually 4 main islands and many smaller islands – approximately 60, but just 16 are inhabited, including Anegada, Cooper Island, Guana, Jost Van Dyke, and Mosquito Island.
St. Phillip’s Anglican Church [above], also known as the African Church, in the Kingstown area of Tortola in British Virgin Islands, was built in 1840 by a community of Africans who had been liberated from illegal slave ships and is considered by locals to be the oldest free black church building to survive in the Americas.
The official national anthem is “Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands”:
Out of the huts of history’s pain
Our ancestors bled and died!
But with strength and willpower we overcame
To restore Virgin Islands pride!
To preserve our beauty we devised a plan
To obtain ownership of your precious lands!
Educating our people is the golden key
To maintain the success of this Territory!Chorus:
Oh how radiant are your daughters!
Listen to the national anthem.
And how wealthy are your sons!
Your beaches boast your beauty!
And your success is second to none!
Green and brilliant are your hillsides!
They replenish our hopes and pride!
Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands!
Your qualities can never be denied!
We shall protect your bountiful shores
And uphold your dignity!
We shall fight to preserve your culture
Your splendour and integrity!
And we shall never fail to understand
How blessed we are to possess this land!
So we shall unite standing proud and tall
Let none divide us, lest we fall!
May God richly bless this territory!
May we ask three things of thee…
Courage for our great leaders
That they may rule our destiny!
We ask for wisdom for our people
That we may live in harmony!
And understanding for children
So they may cherish this legacy!