 |
| Results found: 110 |
Dictionary : all dictionaries |
British |
| Result | Translation | News | |||
| British | ˈbrɪtɪʃ adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language. 2 of the British Commonwealth or (formerly) the British Empire (British subject). --n. 1 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the British people. 2 US = British English. øBritish English English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere. British Legion = Royal British Legion. British summer time = summer time (see SUMMER(1)). British thermal unit see THERMAL. øøBritishness n. [OE Brettisc etc. f. Bret f. L Britto or OCelt.] | ||||
| British | ˈbrɪtɪʃ adj. & n. --adj. 1 of or relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language. 2 of the British Commonwealth or (formerly) the British Empire (British subject). --n. 1 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the British people. 2 US = British English. øBritish English English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere. British Legion = Royal British Legion. British summer time = summer time (see SUMMER(1)). British thermal unit see THERMAL. øøBritishness n. [OE Brettisc etc. f. Bret f. L Britto or OCelt.] | ||||
| British | 'britiʃ | ||||
| British | brit. britisch | ||||
| british | brit. britisch | ||||
| British | Brettas, Brettisc | ||||
| british | Brettas, Brettisc | ||||
| British | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
[1913 Webster]
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British | British \Brit"ish\, n. pl.
People of Great Britain.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British | noun
Etymology: Middle English Bruttische of Britain, from Old English Brettisc, from Brettas Britons, of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh Brython Briton
Date: 13th century
1.
a. the Celtic language of the ancient Britons
b. British English
2. plural in construction the people of Great Britain or the Commonwealth of Nations
• British adjective
• Britishism noun
• Britishness noun | ||||
| British | adj. & n.
--adj.
1 of or relating to Great Britain or the United Kingdom, or to its people or language.
2 of the British Commonwealth or (formerly) the British Empire (British subject).
--n.
1 (prec. by the; treated as pl.) the British people.
2 US = British English.
Phrases and idioms:
British English English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere. British Legion = Royal British Legion. British summer time = summer time (see SUMMER(1)). British thermal unit see THERMAL.
Derivatives:
Britishness n.
Etymology: OE Brettisc etc. f. Bret f. L Britto or OCelt. | ||||
| British | British \Brit"ish\, n. pl.
People of Great Britain. | ||||
| British | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain. | ||||
| British | (a.) Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; -- sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants. | ||||
| British | British
adj : of or relating to or characteristic of Great Britain or its
people or culture; "his wife is British" [syn: {British}]
n : the people of Great Britain [syn: {British}, {British people},
{the British}, {Brits}] | ||||
| British (2) | (n. pl.) People of Great Britain. | ||||
| British (man | Brite {m} | ||||
| british (man | Brite {m} | ||||
| British America | geographical name
1. (or British North America) Canada
2. all British possessions in & adjacent to North & South America | ||||
| British Antarctic Territory | geographical name
islands & territories in the S Atlantic & in Antarctica administered by the British including South Orkney & South Shetland islands, Antarctic Peninsula, & Palmer Archipelago | ||||
| British Bechuanaland | geographical name
— see Bechuanaland 3 | ||||
| British Broadcasting Company | britische Rundfunkanstalt | ||||
| british broadcasting company | britische Rundfunkanstalt | ||||
| British Broadcasting Corporation | British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) The UK state television and radio company.
They commissioned the "{BBC Micro}" from {Acorn Computers} for
use in a television series about using computers. They also
run the {BBC Networking Club}.
(1995-02-28) | ||||
| British Cabinet | British Cabinet
n : the senior ministers of the British government [syn: {British
Cabinet}] | ||||
| British capacity unit | British capacity unit
n : a unit of measure for capacity officially adopted in the
British Imperial System; British units are both dry and
wet [syn: {British capacity unit}, {Imperial capacity
unit}] | ||||
| British capital | British capital
n : the capital and largest city of England; located on the
Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial
and cultural center [syn: {London}, {Greater London}, {British
capital}, {capital of the United Kingdom}] | ||||
| British Columbia | geographical name
province W Canada on Pacific coast capital Victoria area 344,663 square miles (892,677 square kilometers), population 3,907,738
• British Columbian noun or adjective | ||||
| British Columbia | British Columbia
n : a province in western Canada [syn: {British Columbia}] | ||||
| British Columbian | noun or adjective
see British Columbia | ||||
| British Commonwealth | geographical name
— see Commonwealth of Nations | ||||
| British Commonwealth | British Commonwealth
n : an association of nations consisting of the United Kingdom
and its dependencies and many former British colonies
that are now sovereign states but owe allegiance to the
British Crown [syn: {British Commonwealth}, {Commonwealth
of Nations}] | ||||
| British East Africa | geographical name
1. — see Kenya
2. the former British dependencies in E Africa: Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar, & Tanganyika | ||||
| British Empire | geographical name
a former empire consisting of Great Britain & the British dominions & dependencies — see Commonwealth of Nations | ||||
| British Empire | British Empire
n : formerly the United Kingdom and all the territories under
its control; reached its greatest extent at the end of
World War I; "the sun never sets on the British Empire"
[syn: {British Empire}] | ||||
| British English | noun
Date: 1866
the native language of most inhabitants of England; especially English characteristic of England and clearly distinguishable from that used elsewhere (as in the United States or Australia) | ||||
| British Guiana | geographical name
— see Guyana | ||||
| British Guiana | British Guiana
n : a republic in northeastern South America; achieved
independence from England in 1966 [syn: {Guyana}, {Co-operative
Republic of Guyana}, {British Guiana}] | ||||
| British gum | Gum \Gum\, n. [OE. gomme, gumme, F. gomme, L. gummi and commis,
fr. Gr. ?, prob. from an Egyptian form kam?; cf. It.
{gomma}.]
1. A vegetable secretion of many trees or plants that hardens
when it exudes, but is soluble in water; as, gum arabic;
gum tragacanth; the gum of the cherry tree. Also, with
less propriety, exudations that are not soluble in water;
as, gum copal and gum sandarac, which are really resins.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) See {Gum tree}, {below}.
[1913 Webster]
3. A hive made of a section of a hollow gum tree; hence, any
roughly made hive; also, a vessel or bin made of a hollow
log. [Southern U. S.]
[1913 Webster]
4. A rubber overshoe. [Local, U. S.]
[1913 Webster]
{Black gum}, {Blue gum}, {British gum}, etc. See under
{Black}, {Blue}, etc.
{Gum Acaroidea}, the resinous gum of the Australian grass
tree ({Xanlhorrh[oe]a}).
{Gum animal} (Zo["o]l.), the galago of West Africa; -- so
called because it feeds on gums. See {Galago}.
{Gum animi or anim['e]}. See {Anim['e]}.
{Gum arabic}, a gum yielded mostly by several species of
{Acacia} (chiefly {A. vera} and {A. Arabica}) growing in
Africa and Southern Asia; -- called also {gum acacia}.
East Indian gum arabic comes from a tree of the Orange
family which bears the elephant apple.
{Gum butea}, a gum yielded by the Indian plants {Butea
frondosa} and {B. superba}, and used locally in tanning
and in precipitating indigo.
{Gum cistus}, a plant of the genus {Cistus} ({Cistus
ladaniferus}), a species of rock rose.
{Gum dragon}. See {Tragacanth}.
{Gum elastic}, {Elastic gum}. See {Caoutchouc}.
{Gum elemi}. See {Elemi}.
{Gum juniper}. See {Sandarac}.
{Gum kino}. See under {Kino}.
{Gum lac}. See {Lac}.
{Gum Ladanum}, a fragrant gum yielded by several Oriental
species of Cistus or rock rose.
{Gum passages}, sap receptacles extending through the
parenchyma of certain plants ({Amygdalace[ae]},
{Cactace[ae]}, etc.), and affording passage for gum.
{Gum pot}, a varnish maker's utensil for melting gum and
mixing other ingredients.
{Gum resin}, the milky juice of a plant solidified by
exposure to air; one of certain inspissated saps, mixtures
of, or having properties of, gum and resin; a resin
containing more or less mucilaginous and gummy matter.
{Gum sandarac}. See {Sandarac}.
{Gum Senegal}, a gum similar to gum arabic, yielded by trees
({Acacia Verek} and {A. Adansoni["a]}) growing in the
Senegal country, West Africa.
{Gum tragacanth}. See {Tragacanth}.
{Gum water}, a solution of gum, esp. of gum arabic, in water.
{Gum wood}, the wood of any gum tree, esp. the wood of the
{Eucalyptus piperita}, of New South Wales.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British gum | Dextrin \Dex"trin\, n. [Cf. F. dextrine, G. dextrin. See
{Dexter}.] (Chem.)
A translucent, gummy, amorphous substance, nearly tasteless
and odorless, used as a substitute for gum, for sizing, etc.,
and obtained from starch by the action of heat, acids, or
diastase. It is of somewhat variable composition, containing
several carbohydrates which change easily to their respective
varieties of sugar. It is so named from its rotating the
plane of polarization to the right; -- called also {British
gum}, {Alsace gum}, {gommelin}, {leiocome}, etc. See
{Achro["o]dextrin}, and {Erythrodextrin}.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British gum | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
[1913 Webster]
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British gum | Dextrin \Dex"trin\, n. [Cf. F. dextrine, G. dextrin. See
{Dexter}.] (Chem.)
A translucent, gummy, amorphous substance, nearly tasteless
and odorless, used as a substitute for gum, for sizing, etc.,
and obtained from starch by the action of heat, acids, or
diastase. It is of somewhat variable composition, containing
several carbohydrates which change easily to their respective
varieties of sugar. It is so named from its rotating the
plane of polarization to the right; -- called also {British
gum}, {Alsace gum}, {gommelin}, {leiocome}, etc. See
{Achro["o]dextrin}, and {Erythrodextrin}. | ||||
| British gum | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain. | ||||
| British gum | Gum \Gum\, n. [OE. gomme, gumme, F. gomme, L. gummi and commis,
fr. Gr. ?, prob. from an Egyptian form kam?; cf. It.
{gomma}.]
1. A vegetable secretion of many trees or plants that hardens
when it exudes, but is soluble in water; as, gum arabic;
gum tragacanth; the gum of the cherry tree. Also, with
less propriety, exudations that are not soluble in water;
as, gum copal and gum sandarac, which are really resins.
2. (Bot.) See {Gum tree}, {below}.
3. A hive made of a section of a hollow gum tree; hence, any
roughly made hive; also, a vessel or bin made of a hollow
log. [Southern U. S.]
4. A rubber overshoe. [Local, U. S.]
{Black gum}, {Blue gum}, {British gum}, etc. See under
{Black}, {Blue}, etc.
{Gum Acaroidea}, the resinous gum of the Australian grass
tree ({Xanlhorrh[oe]a}).
{Gum animal} (Zo["o]l.), the galago of West Africa; -- so
called because it feeds on gums. See {Galago}.
{Gum animi or anim['e]}. See {Anim['e]}.
{Gum arabic}, a gum yielded mostly by several species of
{Acacia} (chiefly {A. vera} and {A. Arabica}) growing in
Africa and Southern Asia; -- called also {gum acacia}.
East Indian gum arabic comes from a tree of the Orange
family which bears the elephant apple.
{Gum butea}, a gum yielded by the Indian plants {Butea
frondosa} and {B. superba}, and used locally in tanning
and in precipitating indigo.
{Gum cistus}, a plant of the genus {Cistus} ({Cistus
ladaniferus}), a species of rock rose.
{Gum dragon}. See {Tragacanth}.
{Gum elastic}, {Elastic gum}. See {Caoutchouc}.
{Gum elemi}. See {Elemi}.
{Gum juniper}. See {Sandarac}.
{Gum kino}. See under {Kino}.
{Gum lac}. See {Lac}.
{Gum Ladanum}, a fragrant gum yielded by several Oriental
species of Cistus or rock rose.
{Gum passages}, sap receptacles extending through the
parenchyma of certain plants ({Amygdalace[ae]},
{Cactace[ae]}, etc.), and affording passage for gum.
{Gum pot}, a varnish maker's utensil for melting gum and
mixing other ingredients.
{Gum resin}, the milky juice of a plant solidified by
exposure to air; one of certain inspissated saps, mixtures
of, or having properties of, gum and resin; a resin
containing more or less mucilaginous and gummy matter.
{Gum sandarac}. See {Sandarac}.
{Gum Senegal}, a gum similar to gum arabic, yielded by trees
({Acacia Verek} and {A. Adansoni["a]}) growing in the
Senegal country, West Africa.
{Gum tragacanth}. See {Tragacanth}.
{Gum tree}, the name given to several trees in America and
Australia:
(a) The black gum ({Nyssa multiflora}), one of the largest
trees of the Southern States, bearing a small blue
fruit, the favorite food of the opossum. Most of the
large trees become hollow.
(b) A tree of the genus {Eucalyptus.} See {Eucalpytus.}
(c) The sweet gum tree of the United States ({Liquidambar
styraciflua}), a large and beautiful tree with
pointedly lobed leaves and woody burlike fruit. It
exudes an aromatic terebinthine juice.
{Gum water}, a solution of gum, esp. of gum arabic, in water.
{Gum wood}, the wood of any gum tree, esp. the wood of the
{Eucalyptus piperita}, of New South Wales. | ||||
| British High Commission | The term British High Commission (BHC, or High Commission, HC, or Her Majesty's High Commission, HMHC) is used in lieu of ""embassy"" in Commonwealth countries. | ||||
| British Honduras | geographical name
— see Belize | ||||
| British Honduras | British Honduras
n : a country on the northeastern coast of Central America on
the Caribbean; formerly under British control [syn: {Belize},
{British Honduras}] | ||||
| British India | geographical name
the part of India formerly under direct British administration — see Indian States | ||||
| British Indian Ocean Territory | British Indian Ocean Territory
Introduction British Indian Ocean Territory
-------------------------------------------
Background: Established as a territory of the
UK in 1965, a number of the British
Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
islands were transferred to the
Seychelles when it attained
independence in 1976. Subsequently,
BIOT has consisted only of the six
main island groups comprising the
Chagos Archipelago. The largest and
most southerly of the islands,
Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-
US naval support facility. All of
the remaining islands are
uninhabited. Former agricultural
workers, earlier residents in the
islands, were relocated primarily
to Mauritius but also to the
Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973.
In 2000, a British High Court
ruling invalidated the local
immigration order which had
excluded them from the archipelago,
but upheld the special military
status of Diego Garcia.
Geography British Indian Ocean Territory
----------------------------------------
Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the
Indian Ocean, about one-half the
way from Africa to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E
Map references: Political Map of the World
Area: total: 60 sq km
note: includes the entire Chagos
Archipelago
water: 0 sq km
land: 60 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid,
moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (most areas do not
exceed four meters in elevation)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on
Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural resources: coconuts, fish, sugarcane
Land use: arable land: NEGL
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego
Garcia, largest and southernmost
island, occupies strategic location
in central Indian Ocean; island is
site of joint US-UK military
facility
People British Indian Ocean Territory
-------------------------------------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: approximately 1,200 former
agricultural workers resident in
the Chagos Archipelago, often
referred to as Chagossians or
Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius
and the Seychelles around the time
of the construction of UK-US
military facilities; in 2001, there
were approximately 1,500 UK and US
military personnel and 2,000
civilian contractors living on the
island of Diego Garcia (July 2002
est.)
Government British Indian Ocean Territory
-----------------------------------------
Country name: conventional long form: British
Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form: none
abbreviation: BIOT
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK;
administered by a commissioner,
resident in the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office in London
Legal system: the laws of the UK, where
applicable, apply
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II
(since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Commissioner
John WHITE (since NA);
Administrator Louise SAVILL (since
NA); note - both reside in the UK
elections: none; the monarch is
hereditary; commissioner and
administrator appointed by the
monarch
cabinet: NA
Diplomatic representation in the none (overseas territory of the UK)
US:
Diplomatic representation from the none (overseas territory of the UK)
US:
Flag description: white with six blue wavy horizontal
stripes; the flag of the UK is in
the upper hoist-side quadrant; the
striped section bears a palm tree
and yellow crown centered on the
outer half of the flag
Economy British Indian Ocean Territory
--------------------------------------
Economy - overview: All economic activity is
concentrated on the largest island
of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US
defense facilities are located.
Construction projects and various
services needed to support the
military installations are done by
military and contract employees
from the UK, Mauritius, the
Philippines, and the US. There are
no industrial or agricultural
activities on the islands. When the
Ilois return, they plan to
reestablish sugarcane production
and fishing.
Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied
by the US military
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Communications British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------------
Telephones - main lines in use: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: separate
facilities for military and public
needs are available
domestic: all commercial telephone
services are available, including
connection to the Internet
international: international
telephone service is carried by
satellite (2000)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: NA
Internet country code: .io
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Transportation British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------------
Highways: total: NA km
paved: short stretch of paved road
of NA km between port and airfield
on Diego Garcia
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Diego Garcia
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2001)
Military British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
the UK; the US lease on Diego
Garcia expires in 2016
Transnational Issues British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------------------
Disputes - international: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the
Chagos Archipelago and its former
inhabitants, who reside chiefly in
Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted
UK citizenship and the right to
repatriation since eviction in
1965; repatriation is complicated
by the US military lease of Diego
Garcia, the largest island in the
chain | ||||
| British Indian Ocean Territory | geographical name
British colony in Indian Ocean comprising Chagos Archipelago & formerly Aldabra, Farquhar, & Desroches islands (returned to Seychelles 1976) area 23 square miles (60 square kilometers) | ||||
| British Indian Ocean Territory | British Indian Ocean Territory
Introduction British Indian Ocean Territory
-------------------------------------------
Background: Established as a territory of the UK
in 1965, a number of the British
Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)
islands were transferred to the
Seychelles when it attained
independence in 1976. Subsequently,
BIOT has consisted only of the six
main island groups comprising the
Chagos Archipelago. The largest and
most southerly of the islands, Diego
Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval
support facility. All of the
remaining islands are uninhabited.
Former agricultural workers, earlier
residents in the islands, were
relocated primarily to Mauritius but
also to the Seychelles, between 1967
and 1973. In 2000, a British High
Court ruling invalidated the local
immigration order which had excluded
them from the archipelago, but
upheld the special military status
of Diego Garcia.
Geography British Indian Ocean Territory
----------------------------------------
Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the
Indian Ocean, about one-half the way
from Africa to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 S, 71 30 E
Map references: Political Map of the World
Area: total: 60 sq km
note: includes the entire Chagos
Archipelago
water: 0 sq km
land: 60 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.3 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid,
moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (most areas do not
exceed four meters in elevation)
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on
Diego Garcia 15 m
Natural resources: coconuts, fish, sugarcane
Land use: arable land: NEGL
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: NA
Environment - current issues: NA
Geography - note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego
Garcia, largest and southernmost
island, occupies strategic location
in central Indian Ocean; island is
site of joint US-UK military
facility
People British Indian Ocean Territory
-------------------------------------
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: approximately 1,200 former
agricultural workers resident in the
Chagos Archipelago, often referred
to as Chagossians or Ilois, were
relocated to Mauritius and the
Seychelles around the time of the
construction of UK-US military
facilities; in 2001, there were
approximately 1,500 UK and US
military personnel and 2,000
civilian contractors living on the
island of Diego Garcia (July 2002
est.)
Government British Indian Ocean Territory
-----------------------------------------
Country name: conventional long form: British
Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form: none
abbreviation: BIOT
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK;
administered by a commissioner,
resident in the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office in London
Legal system: the laws of the UK, where
applicable, apply
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II
(since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Commissioner
John WHITE (since NA); Administrator
Louise SAVILL (since NA); note -
both reside in the UK
elections: none; the monarch is
hereditary; commissioner and
administrator appointed by the
monarch
cabinet: NA
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the none (overseas territory of the UK)
US:
Flag description: white with six blue wavy horizontal
stripes; the flag of the UK is in
the upper hoist-side quadrant; the
striped section bears a palm tree
and yellow crown centered on the
outer half of the flag
Economy British Indian Ocean Territory
--------------------------------------
Economy - overview: All economic activity is
concentrated on the largest island
of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US
defense facilities are located.
Construction projects and various
services needed to support the
military installations are done by
military and contract employees from
the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines,
and the US. There are no industrial
or agricultural activities on the
islands. When the Ilois return, they
plan to reestablish sugarcane
production and fishing.
Electricity - production: NA kWh; note - electricity supplied
by the US military
Electricity - consumption: NA kWh
Communications British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------------
Telephones - main lines in use: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: separate
facilities for military and public
needs are available
domestic: all commercial telephone
services are available, including
connection to the Internet
international: international
telephone service is carried by
satellite (2000)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: NA
Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997)
Televisions: NA
Internet country code: .io
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 1 (2000)
Transportation British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------------
Highways: total: NA km
paved: short stretch of paved road
of NA km between port and airfield
on Diego Garcia
unpaved: NA km
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Diego Garcia
Airports: 1 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
over 3,047 m: 1 (2001)
Military British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the
UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia
expires in 2016
Transnational Issues British Indian Ocean Territory
---------------------------------------------------
Disputes - international: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the
Chagos Archipelago and its former
inhabitants, who reside chiefly in
Mauritius, but in 2001 were granted
UK citizenship and the right to
repatriation since eviction in 1965;
repatriation is complicated by the
US military lease of Diego Garcia,
the largest island in the chain | ||||
| British Indian Ocean Territory | British Indian Ocean Territory
(dependent territory of the UK)
British Indian Ocean Territory:Geography
Location: Southern Asia, archipelago in the Indian Ocean, about
one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia
Map references: World
Area:
total area: 60 sq km
land area: 60 sq km
comparative area: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes the island of Diego Garcia
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 698 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: the entire Chagos Archipelago is claimed by
Mauritius
Climate: tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds
Terrain: flat and low (up to 4 meters in elevation)
Natural resources: coconuts, fish
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 0%
other: 100%
Irrigated land: 0 sq km
Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: NA
international agreements: NA
Note: archipelago of 2,300 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and
southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian
Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility
British Indian Ocean Territory:People
Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are UK-US military personnel; civilian inhabitants, known
as the Ilois, evacuated to Mauritius before construction of UK-US
military facilities
British Indian Ocean Territory:Government
Names:
conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory
conventional short form: none
Abbreviation: BIOT
Digraph: IO
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: none
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Commissioner Mr. D. R. MACLENNAN); Administrator
Mr. David Smith; note - both reside in the UK
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: white with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and six blue wavy horizontal stripes bearing a palm tree and yellow
crown centered on the outer half of the flag
Economy
Overview: All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island
of Diego Garcia, where joint UK-US defense facilities are located.
Construction projects and various services needed to support the
military installations are done by military and contract employees
from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no
industrial or agricultural activities on the islands.
Electricity: provided by the US military
British Indian Ocean Territory:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways:
total: NA
paved: short stretch of paved road between port and airfield on Diego
Garcia
unpaved: NA
Ports: Diego Garcia
Airports:
total: 1
with paved runways over 3,047 m: 1
British Indian Ocean Territory:Communications
Telephone system: NA telephones; minimal facilities
local: NA
intercity: NA
international: 1 INTELSAT (Atlantic Ocean) earth station
Radio:
broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0
radios: NA
Television:
broadcast stations: 1
televisions: NA
British Indian Ocean Territory:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK | ||||
| British Isles | geographical name
island group W Europe comprising Great Britain, Ireland, & adjacent islands | ||||
| British Isles | British Isles
n : Great Britain and Ireland and adjacent islands in the north
Atlantic [syn: {British Isles}] | ||||
| British Library Method | British Library Method
{Brute force} searching.
According to legends circulating in the 1970s, in the British
Library books are searched for by examining each book
sequentially in the first shelf, then the next shelf,
continuing until the book is found or the entire library has
been searched.
The term was referred to in a Dutch coursebook, "Inleiding In
De Informatica" (Introduction to Informatics) from a course
given by C.H.A. Koster and Th.A. Zoethout. This was based on
a course given at the TU Berlin.
[Reference?]
(1999-04-14) | ||||
| British lion | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
[1913 Webster]
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British lion | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain. | ||||
| British Malaya | geographical name
former dependencies of Great Britain on Malay Peninsula & in Malay Archipelago including Malaya (federation), Singapore, North Borneo, Sarawak, & Brunei | ||||
| British monetary unit | British monetary unit
n : monetary unit in Great Britain [syn: {British monetary unit}] | ||||
| British North America | geographical name
see British America 1 | ||||
| British Overseas Trade Board | The BOTB, located in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), advises on international trade and guides the government's export promotion prorgram, including policy, financing, and overseas projects. The Board is composed of industry and government re | ||||
| British people | British people
n : the people of Great Britain [syn: {British}, {British people},
{the British}, {Brits}] | ||||
| British pound | British pound
n : the basic unit of money in Great Britain; equal to 100 pence
[syn: {British pound}, {pound}, {pound sterling}, {quid}] | ||||
| British Rail | Eisenbahn in Großbritannien | ||||
| british rail | Eisenbahn in Großbritannien | ||||
| British Red Cross Society | Britisches Rotes Kreuz | ||||
| british red cross society | Britisches Rotes Kreuz | ||||
| British seas | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
[1913 Webster]
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain.
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| British seas | British \Brit"ish\ (br[i^]t"[i^]sh), a. [AS. Brittisc,
Bryttisc.]
Of or pertaining to Great Britain or to its inhabitants; --
sometimes restricted to the original inhabitants.
{British gum}, a brownish substance, very soluble in cold
water, formed by heating dry starch at a temperature of
about 600[deg] Fahr. It corresponds, in its properties, to
dextrin, and is used, in solution, as a substitute for gum
in stiffering goods.
{British lion}, the national emblem of Great Britain.
{British seas}, the four seas which surround Great Britain. | ||||
| British shilling | British shilling
n : a former monetary unit in Great Britain [syn: {British
shilling}, {shilling}, {bob}] | ||||
| British Solomon Islands | geographical name
former British protectorate comprising the Solomons (except Bougainville, Buka, & adjacent small islands) & the Santa Cruz Islands capital Honiara (on Guadalcanal) | ||||
| British Somaliland | geographical name
former British protectorate E Africa bordering on Gulf of Aden capital Hargeisa; since 1960 part of Somalia | ||||
| British Standard | Britische Norm | ||||
| british standard | Britische Norm | ||||
| British Standards Institute | British Standards Institute
(BSI) The British member of {ISO}.
(1996-06-12) | ||||
| British system | British system
n : a system of weights and measures based on the foot and pound
and second [syn: {English system}, {British system}] | ||||
| British Telecom | British Telecom
(BT) The largest telecommunications provider in the
UK.
Due to regulatory issues, BT had to sell off its interest in
McCaw Cellular. BT sold it to {AT&T} for something like 4B$.
BT then invested that in {MCI}. As a part of the deal, MCI
was given BT North America, which was the old {Tymnet}. MCI
laid off about 40% of the Tymnet staff.
{Home (http://www.intervid.co.uk/)}
(1995-05-09) | ||||
| British Telecom Research Laboratories | British Telecom Research Laboratories
(BTRL) The laboratories where {British Telecom}
develops many of its new Network services.
{Home (http://www.labs.bt.com/)}
Address: Martlesham Heath, near Ipswich, Suffolk, UK.
(1995-04-25) | ||||
| British thermal unit | Equivalent \E*quiv"a*lent\ ([-e]*kw[i^]v"[.a]*lent), n.
1. Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth,
weight, or force; as, to offer an equivalent for damage
done.
[1913 Webster]
He owned that, if the Test Act were repealed, the
Protestants were entitled to some equivalent. . . .
During some weeks the word equivalent, then lately
imported from France, was in the mouths of all the
coffeehouse orators. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Chem.) That comparative quantity by weight of an element
which possesses the same chemical value as other elements,
as determined by actual experiment and reference to the
same standard. Specifically:
(a) The comparative proportions by which one element
replaces another in any particular compound; thus, as
zinc replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric acid, their
equivalents are 32.5 and 1.
(b) The combining proportion by weight of a substance, or
the number expressing this proportion, in any
particular compound; as, the equivalents of hydrogen
and oxygen in water are respectively 1 and 8, and in
hydric dioxide 1 and 16.
[1913 Webster]
Note: This term was adopted by Wollaston to avoid using the
conjectural expression atomic weight, with which,
however, for a time it was practically synonymous. The
attempt to limit the term to the meaning of a
universally comparative combining weight failed,
because of the possibility of several compounds of the
substances by reason of the variation in combining
power which most elements exhibit. The equivalent was
really identical with, or a multiple of submultiple of,
the atomic weight.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Chem.) A combining unit, whether an atom, a radical, or a
molecule; as, in acid salt two or more equivalents of acid
unite with one or more equivalents of base.
[1913 Webster]
{Mechanical equivalent of heat} (Physics), originally defined
as the number of units of work which the unit of heat can
perform, equivalent to the mechanical energy which must be
expended to raise the temperature of a pound of water one
degree Fahrenheit; later this value was defined as one
{British thermal unit} (B.t.u). Its value was found by
Joule to be 772 foot pounds; later measurements give the
value as 777.65 foot-pounds, equivalent to 107.5
kg-meters. This value was originally called Joule's
equivalent, but the modern Joule is defined differently,
being 10^{7} ergs. The B.t.u. is now given as 1,054.35
absolute Joules, and therefore 1 calorie (the amount of
heat needed to raise one gram of water one degree
centigrade) is equivalent to 4.186 Joules.
[1913 Webster + PJC]
Note: The original definition of the Mechanical equivalent of
heat in the 1913 Webster was as below. The difference
between foot pounds and kilogram-meters ("on the
centigrade scale") is puzzling as it should be a factor
of 7.23, and the figure given for kilogram-meters may
be a mistaken misinterpretation of the report. -- PJC:
The number of units of work which the unit of heat can
perform; the mechanical energy which must be expended
to raise the temperature of a unit weight of water from
0[deg] C. to 1[deg] C., or from 32[deg] F. to 33[deg]
F. The term was introduced by Dr. Mayer of Heilbronn.
Its value was found by Joule to be 1390 foot pounds
upon the Centigrade, or 772 foot pounds upon the
Fahrenheit, thermometric scale, whence it is often
called {Joule's equivalent}, and represented by the
symbol J. This is equal to 424 kilogram meters
(Centigrade scale). A more recent determination by
Professor Rowland gives the value 426.9 kilogram
meters, for the latitude of Baltimore.
[1913 Webster +PJC] | ||||
| British thermal unit | noun
Date: 1876
the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at a specified temperature (as 39°F) | ||||
| British thermal unit | British thermal unit
n : a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise
one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one
atmosphere pressure; equivalent to 251.997 calories [syn:
{British thermal unit}, {BTU}, {Btu}, {B.Th.U.}] | ||||
| British Virgin Islands | British Virgin Islands
Introduction British Virgin Islands
-----------------------------------
Background: First settled by the Dutch in 1648,
the islands were annexed in 1672 by
the English. The economy is closely
tied to the larger and more
populous US Virgin Islands to the
west; the US dollar is the legal
currency.
Geography British Virgin Islands
--------------------------------
Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 153 sq km
note: comprised of 16 inhabited and
more than 20 uninhabited islands;
includes the island of Anegada
water: 0 sq km
land: 153 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures
moderated by trade winds
Terrain: coral islands relatively flat;
volcanic islands steep, hilly
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 6.67%
other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms
(July to October)
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water
resources (except for a few
seasonal streams and springs on
Tortola, most of the islands' water
supply comes from wells and
rainwater catchments)
Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin
Islands and Puerto Rico
People British Virgin Islands
-----------------------------
Population: 21,272 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 2,401;
female 2,351)
15-64 years: 72.7% (male 7,962;
female 7,509)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 565;
female 484) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.16% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002
est.)
Death rate: 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002
est.)
Net migration rate: 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/
female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/
female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births
(2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.85 years
female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
male: 74.9 years
Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2002
est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/ NA
AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups: black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and
mixed
Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%,
Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist
4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other
2%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%,
other 2% (1991)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can
read and write
total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government British Virgin Islands
---------------------------------
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: British
Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK;
internal self-governing
Government type: NA
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II
(since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor Francis J.
SAVAGE (since NA)
elections: none; the monarch is
hereditary; governor appointed by
the monarch; chief minister
appointed by the governor from
among the members of the
Legislative Council
head of government: Chief Minister
Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council
appointed by the governor from
members of the Legislative Council
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (13
seats; members are elected by
direct popular vote, one member
from each of 9 electoral districts,
four at-large members; members
serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 17 May 1999
(next to be held NA 2003)
election results: percent of vote
by party - NA%; seats by party -
VIP 7, CCM 1, NDP 5
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court,
consisting of the High Court of
Justice and the Court of Appeal
(one judge of the Supreme Court is
a resident of the islands and
presides over the High Court);
Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court;
Court of Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM
[Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic
Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH];
United Party or UP [Gregory
MADURO]; Virgin Islands Party or
VIP [Ralph T. O'NEAL]
Political pressure groups and NA
leaders:
International organization Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC
participation: (associate), Interpol (subbureau),
IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO
(associate)
Diplomatic representation in the none (overseas territory of the UK)
US:
Diplomatic representation from the none (overseas territory of the UK)
US:
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in
the upper hoist-side quadrant and
the Virgin Islander coat of arms
centered in the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms depicts a
woman flanked on either side by a
vertical column of six oil lamps
above a scroll bearing the Latin
word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy British Virgin Islands
------------------------------
Economy - overview: 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. An estimated
350,000 tourists, mainly from the
US, visited the islands in 1998. In
the mid-1980s, the government began
offering offshore registration to
companies wishing to incorporate in
the islands, and incorporation fees
now generate substantial revenues.
Roughly 400,000 companies were on
the offshore registry by yearend
2000. The adoption of a
comprehensive insurance law in late
1994, which provides a blanket of
confidentiality with regulated
statutory gateways for
investigation of criminal offenses,
is expected to make the British
Virgin Islands even more attractive
to international business.
Livestock raising is the most
important agricultural activity;
poor soils limit the islands'
ability to meet domestic food
requirements. Because of
traditionally close links with the
US Virgin Islands, the British
Virgin Islands has used the dollar
as its currency since 1959.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $311
million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $16,000
(2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8%
industry: 6.2%
services: 92% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by lowest 10%: NA%
percentage share: highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2000)
Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%,
services NA%
Unemployment rate: 3% (1995)
Budget: revenues: $121.5 million
expenditures: $115.5 million,
including capital expenditures of
$NA (1997)
Industries: tourism, light industry,
construction, rum, concrete block,
offshore financial center
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1985)
Electricity - production: 42 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 39.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock,
poultry; fish
Exports: $6.2 million (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities: rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals;
gravel, sand
Exports - partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico,
US
Imports: $230 million (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities: building materials, automobiles,
foodstuffs, machinery
Imports - partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico,
US
Debt - external: $36.1 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient: NA
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Currency code: USD
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Communications British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------------
Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: worldwide
telephone service
domestic: NA
international: submarine cable to
Bermuda
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 9,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus one cable company) (1997)
Televisions: 4,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .vg
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000)
Internet users: NA
Transportation British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 177 km
paved: 177 km
unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Road Town
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 70,285 GRT/6,946 DWT
ships by type: passenger 1 (2002
est.)
Airports: 3 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Military British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of
the UK
Transnational Issues British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------------------
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South
American narcotics destined for the
US and Europe | ||||
| British Virgin Islands | geographical name
the E islands of the Virgin Islands group; a British possession capital Road Town (on Tortola Island) area 59 square miles (153 square kilometers), population 14,786 | ||||
| British Virgin Islands | British Virgin Islands
n : more than 40 northeastern Virgin Islands (15 inhabited); a
dependent territory of the United Kingdom [syn: {British
Virgin Islands}] | ||||
| British Virgin Islands | British Virgin Islands
Introduction British Virgin Islands
-----------------------------------
Background: First settled by the Dutch in 1648,
the islands were annexed in 1672 by
the English. The economy is closely
tied to the larger and more populous
US Virgin Islands to the west; the
US dollar is the legal currency.
Geography British Virgin Islands
--------------------------------
Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea
and the North Atlantic Ocean, east
of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 153 sq km
note: comprised of 16 inhabited and
more than 20 uninhabited islands;
includes the island of Anegada
water: 0 sq km
land: 153 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.9 times the size of
Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims: exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 3 NM
Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures
moderated by trade winds
Terrain: coral islands relatively flat;
volcanic islands steep, hilly
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Sage 521 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 6.67%
other: 73.33% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July
to October)
Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water
resources (except for a few seasonal
streams and springs on Tortola, most
of the islands' water supply comes
from wells and rainwater catchments)
Geography - note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin
Islands and Puerto Rico
People British Virgin Islands
-----------------------------
Population: 21,272 (July 2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.4% (male 2,401;
female 2,351)
15-64 years: 72.7% (male 7,962;
female 7,509)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 565;
female 484) (2002 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.16% (2002 est.)
Birth rate: 15.09 births/1,000 population (2002
est.)
Death rate: 4.42 deaths/1,000 population (2002
est.)
Net migration rate: 10.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2002 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.17 male(s)/
female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/
female (2002 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2002
est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.85 years
female: 76.84 years (2002 est.)
male: 74.9 years
Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/ NA
AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Nationality: noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups: black 83%, white, Indian, Asian and
mixed
Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 33%,
Anglican 17%, Church of God 9%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 6%, Baptist
4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%, other
2%), Roman Catholic 10%, none 2%,
other 2% (1991)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 97.8% (1991 est.)
male: NA%
female: NA%
Government British Virgin Islands
---------------------------------
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: British
Virgin Islands
abbreviation: BVI
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK;
internal self-governing
Government type: NA
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II
(since 6 February 1952), represented
by Governor Francis J. SAVAGE (since
NA)
elections: none; the monarch is
hereditary; governor appointed by
the monarch; chief minister
appointed by the governor from among
the members of the Legislative
Council
head of government: Chief Minister
Ralph T. O'NEAL (since 15 May 1995)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed
by the governor from members of the
Legislative Council
Legislative branch: unicameral Legislative Council (13
seats; members are elected by direct
popular vote, one member from each
of 9 electoral districts, four at-
large members; members serve four-
year terms)
elections: last held 17 May 1999
(next to be held NA 2003)
election results: percent of vote by
party - NA%; seats by party - VIP 7,
CCM 1, NDP 5
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court,
consisting of the High Court of
Justice and the Court of Appeal (one
judge of the Supreme Court is a
resident of the islands and presides
over the High Court); Magistrate's
Court; Juvenile Court; Court of
Summary Jurisdiction
Political parties and leaders: Concerned Citizens Movement or CCM
[Ethlyn SMITH]; National Democratic
Party or NDP [Orlando SMITH]; United
Party or UP [Gregory MADURO]; Virgin
Islands Party or VIP [Ralph T.
O'NEAL]
Political pressure groups and NA
leaders:
International organization Caricom (associate), CDB, ECLAC
participation: (associate), Interpol (subbureau),
IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO
(associate)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the none (overseas territory of the UK)
US:
Flag description: blue, with the flag of the UK in the
upper hoist-side quadrant and the
Virgin Islander coat of arms
centered in the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms depicts a
woman flanked on either side by a
vertical column of six oil lamps
above a scroll bearing the Latin
word VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy British Virgin Islands
------------------------------
Economy - overview: 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. An estimated
350,000 tourists, mainly from the
US, visited the islands in 1998. In
the mid-1980s, the government began
offering offshore registration to
companies wishing to incorporate in
the islands, and incorporation fees
now generate substantial revenues.
Roughly 400,000 companies were on
the offshore registry by yearend
2000. The adoption of a
comprehensive insurance law in late
1994, which provides a blanket of
confidentiality with regulated
statutory gateways for investigation
of criminal offenses, is expected to
make the British Virgin Islands even
more attractive to international
business. Livestock raising is the
most important agricultural
activity; poor soils limit the
islands' ability to meet domestic
food requirements. Because of
traditionally close links with the
US Virgin Islands, the British
Virgin Islands has used the dollar
as its currency since 1959.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $311
million (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.4% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $16,000
(2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.8%
industry: 6.2%
services: 92% (1996 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA%
Household income or consumption by lowest 10%: NA%
percentage share: highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2000)
Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture NA%, industry NA%,
services NA%
Unemployment rate: 3% (1995)
Budget: revenues: $121.5 million
expenditures: $115.5 million,
including capital expenditures of
$NA (1997)
Industries: tourism, light industry,
construction, rum, concrete block,
offshore financial center
Industrial production growth rate: 4% (1985)
Electricity - production: 42 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (1999)
nuclear: 0%
Electricity - consumption: 39.1 million kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: fruits, vegetables; livestock,
poultry; fish
Exports: $6.2 million (2000 est.)
Exports - commodities: rum, fresh fish, fruits, animals;
gravel, sand
Exports - partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Imports: $230 million (2000 est.)
Imports - commodities: building materials, automobiles,
foodstuffs, machinery
Imports - partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Debt - external: $36.1 million (1997)
Economic aid - recipient: NA
Currency: US dollar (USD)
Currency code: USD
Exchange rates: the US dollar is used
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Communications British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------------
Telephones - main lines in use: 10,000 (1996)
Telephones - mobile cellular: NA
Telephone system: general assessment: worldwide
telephone service
domestic: NA
international: submarine cable to
Bermuda
Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 0 (1998)
Radios: 9,000 (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 1 (plus one cable company) (1997)
Televisions: 4,000 (1997)
Internet country code: .vg
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000)
Internet users: NA
Transportation British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------------
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 177 km
paved: 177 km
unpaved: 0 km (2000)
Waterways: none
Ports and harbors: Road Town
Merchant marine: total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over)
totaling 70,285 GRT/6,946 DWT
ships by type: passenger 1 (2002
est.)
Airports: 3 (2001)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2001)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2001)
Military British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the
UK
Transnational Issues British Virgin Islands
-------------------------------------------
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South
American narcotics destined for the
US and Europe | ||||
| British Virgin Islands | British Virgin Islands
(dependent territory of the UK)
British Virgin Islands:Geography
Location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 150 sq km
land area: 150 sq km
comparative area: about 0.8 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes the island of Anegada
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 80 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
Terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Natural resources: negligible
Land use:
arable land: 20%
permanent crops: 7%
meadows and pastures: 33%
forest and woodland: 7%
other: 33%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources (except for a
few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola, most of the island's
water supply comes from wells and rainwater catchment)
natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
international agreements: NA
Note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
British Virgin Islands:People
Population: 13,027 (July 1995 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: NA
15-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 1.27% (1995 est.)
Birth rate: 20.25 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 19.33 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 72.73 years
male: 70.88 years
female: 74.7 years (1995 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.27 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Nationality:
noun: British Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: British Virgin Islander
Ethnic divisions: black 90%, white, Asian
Religions: Protestant 86% (Methodist 45%, Anglican 21%, Church of God
7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 5%, Baptist 4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2%,
other 2%), Roman Catholic 6%, none 2%, other 6% (1981)
Languages: English (official)
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1970)
total population: 98%
male: 98%
female: 98%
Labor force: 4,911 (1980)
by occupation: NA
British Virgin Islands:Government
Names:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: British Virgin Islands
Abbreviation: BVI
Digraph: VI
Type: dependent territory of the UK
Capital: Road Town
Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)
National holiday: Territory Day, 1 July
Constitution: 1 June 1977
Legal system: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor Peter Alfred PENFOLD (since 14 October 1991)
head of government: Chief Minister H. Lavity STOUTT (since NA
September 1986)
cabinet: Executive Council; appointed by the governor
Legislative branch: unicameral
Legislative Council: election last held 20 February 1995 (next to be
held on NA February 2000); results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (13 total) VIP 6, CCM 2, UP 2, independents 3
note: legislature was expanded to 13 seats as of election on 20
February 1995
Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: United Party (UP), Conrad MADURO;
Virgin Islands Party (VIP), H. Lavity STOUTT; Concerned Citizens
Movement (CCM), E. Walwyln BREWLEY
Member of: CARICOM (associate), CDB, ECLAC (associate), INTERPOL
(subbureau), IOC, OECS (associate), UNESCO (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant
and the Virgin Islander coat of arms centered in the outer half of the
flag; the coat of arms depicts a woman flanked on either side by a
vertical column of six oil lamps above a scroll bearing the Latin word
VIGILATE (Be Watchful)
Economy
Overview: The economy, one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean
area, is highly dependent on the tourist industry, which generates
about 21% of the national income. In 1985 the government offered
offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the
islands, and, in consequence, incorporation fees generated about $2
million in 1987. The economy slowed in 1991 because of the poor
performances of the tourist sector and tight commercial bank credit.
Livestock raising is the most significant agricultural activity. The
islands' crops, limited by poor soils, are unable to meet food
requirements.
National product: GDP - purchasing power parity - $133 million (1991)
National product real growth rate: 2% (1991)
National product per capita: $10,600 (1991)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate: NEGL% (1992)
Budget:
revenues: $51 million
expenditures: $88 million, including capital expenditures of $38
million (1991)
Exports: $2.7 million (f.o.b., 1988)
commodities: rum, fresh fish, gravel, sand, fruits, animals
partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
Imports: $11.5 million (c.i.f., 1988)
commodities: building materials, automobiles, foodstuffs, machinery
partners: Virgin Islands (US), Puerto Rico, US
External debt: $4.5 million (1985)
Industrial production: growth rate 4% (1985)
Electricity:
capacity: 10,500 kW
production: 50 million kWh
consumption per capita: 3,148 kWh (1993)
Industries: tourism, light industry, construction, rum, concrete
block, offshore financial center
Agriculture: livestock (including poultry), fish, fruit, vegetables
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 United States dollar (US$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: US currency is used
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
British Virgin Islands:Transportation
Railroads: 0 km
Highways:
total: 106 km (1983)
paved: NA
unpaved: NA
Ports: Road Town
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 3
with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1
with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m: 1
British Virgin Islands:Communications
Telephone system: 3,000 telephones; worldwide external telephone
service
local: NA
intercity: NA
international: submarine cable communication links to Bermuda
Radio:
broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 0, shortwave 0
radios: NA
Television:
broadcast stations: 1
televisions: NA
British Virgin Islands:Defense Forces
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK | ||||
| British West Indies | geographical name
islands of the West Indies including Jamaica, Bahamas, Caymans, British Virgin Islands, British Leeward & Windward islands, Trinidad, & Tobago | ||||
| Britisher | ˈbrɪtɪʃə n. a British subject, esp. of British descent. °Not used in British English. | ||||
| Britisher | ˈbrɪtɪʃə n. a British subject, esp. of British descent. °Not used in British English. | ||||
| Britisher | 'britiʃə | ||||
| Britisher | Britisher \Brit"ish*er\, n.
An Englishman; a subject or inhabitant of Great Britain, esp.
one in the British military or naval service. [Now used
jocosely]
[1913 Webster] | ||||
| Britisher | noun
Date: 1829
Briton 2 | ||||
| Britisher | n. a British subject, esp. of British descent.
Usage:
Not used in British English. | ||||
| Britisher | Britisher \Brit"ish*er\, n.
An Englishman; a subject or inhabitant of Great Britain, esp.
one in the British military or naval service. [Now used
jocosely] | ||||
| Britisher | (n.) An Englishman; a subject or inhabitant of Great Britain, esp. one in the British military or naval service. | ||||
| Britisher | Britisher
n : a native or inhabitant of Great Britain [syn: {Britisher}, {Briton},
{Brit}] | ||||
| Britishism | ˈbrɪtɪʃɪzm var. of BRITICISM. | ||||
| Britishism | ˈbrɪtɪʃɪzm var. of BRITICISM. | ||||
| Britishism | 'britiʃizm | ||||
| Britishism | Britishism \Britishism\ n.
1. an expression that is limited to English as spoken by
Englishmen (especially as contrasted with American
English).
Syn: Anglicism, Briticism.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. a custom that is peculiar to England or its citizens.
Syn: Anglicism.
[WordNet 1.5] | ||||
|
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