May 2, 1945, a few minutes before dawn, three miles off the coast of
Virgin Gorda, a German submarine was at periscope depth sailing toward
the coast with electric motors silently set to a minimum. Glued to the
lense, the Commander regulated the telemetry to focus the beach. He saw
the signal, gave the orders to surface, and sent two gunners to the bow
gun, and others to break out the dinghy for one officer and four
raiders. They carried a steel box and a leather purse. The boat glided
over the reef to land on the beach. Waiting for them were two
civilians.The German officer delivered the material, demanded a signed a
receipt, issued orders for the dinghy to sail off in an easterly
direction, in the' uncertain dawn, toward the waiting U-Boat.
Virgin Gorda. Spring of 1970.
Michael Riegels,
then President of the
BVI Financial Services Commission,
receives a phone call from a major law
firm in New York. On the phone, one of the senior partners. they aim to
incorporate in the British Virgin Islands for tax advantages, open a
bank account with a safe deposit box for valuables including an old
leather bag. It is believed that the offshore financial services
industry in the British Virgin Islands began this way. In a few years
there were hundreds of companies so incorporated to shield offshore
assets and bank accounts large and small. Invisible, like sunken
galleons resting on the sea bed with treasure denied to both the Spanish
Empire and to 16th and 17th century pirates. How many secrets are
hidden in the British Virgin Islands? Better still call them B.V.I.
pronounced in the hip English way, as used the elite, the bankers,
and by loyal regulars of tourism and offshore finance.
Form of government:
British territory of the
United Kingdom
Capital:
Road Town
(Tortola) - Chief town: Spanish Town
Area: 21
kmq.
Population: 3.000
Languages:
English official
Currency:
U.S. dollar
Time Zone: - 5 GMT - UTC
Documents:
Passport
International Dialing Code: +1.284.
The B.V.I. use the gsm 900/ 1900 system so you
can use both dual and triband mobile phone.
Health: The health
situation is good. Hospital: Medicure health
center
Electricity:
110 volts.
Flat American plugs
type A,B.
(See image)
TERRITORY
The third island of the BVI is a precious pearl, one of
the best
spots of the whole Caribbean area.
In the north part the big gulf of North sound, closed by a handful of
small islands,
On south the Baths, one of the most impressive Caribbean place.
Among this two fantastic place lies a very rugged perimetered
island,dotted with white sandy beaches and
covered with low vegetation and cactus.
Virgin is 16 km.long and 3 wide.
Inhabitants are approximately 3.000
CLIMATE
The climate of the BVI is one of the most pleasing of the region.
The trade winds provide a comfortable temperature all year long and
keeps
low levels of air humidity.
The climate is tipically subtropical and there are two main seasons:
summer from may to october with average temperature from
26/31 C°. and winter from november to april when temperature ranges
between 22/28 C°.
