Tortola
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Tortola is the largest of the British Virgin Islands |
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
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| Location | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coordinates | 18°25′N 64°35′W / 18.417°N 64.583°W |
| Archipelago | Virgin Islands |
| Area | 55.7 square kilometres (21.5 sq mi) |
| Length | 19 kilometres (12 mi) |
| Width | 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) |
| Highest point | Mount Sage (530 metres (1,700 ft)) |
| Country | |
| United Kingdom | |
| British Overseas Territory |  British Virgin Islands |
| Largest city | Road Town (9,400) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 23,908 |
| Density | 429.23 /km² (1,111.7 /sq mi) |
Tortola is the largest and most populated of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands which form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. Local belief is that the name was originally given to the island by Christopher Columbus, meaning "land of the Turtle Dove". In actuality Columbus named the island Santa Ana. The Dutch settled, and dubbed it Tor Tholen (New Tholen), after a tiny island off the west coast of the Netherlands. When the British moved in they altered the name to its present day form of Tortola.
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[edit] Geography
Tortola is a mountainous island 13.5 miles (19 km) long and 3 miles (5 km) wide, with an area of 21.5 square miles (55.7 square km). Formed by volcanic activity, its highest peak is Mount Sage at 1750 feet (530 m). Tortola lies near an earthquake fault, and minor earthquakes are common.
[edit] Economy and demographics
The population of Tortola is 23,908. The principal settlement is Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands.
Financial services are the main source of income to the island. The hugely popular International Business Companies Act, passed in the early 1980s, led to huge growth in government revenue. BVI residents are amongst the most affluent in the Eastern Caribbean. Because of this, a large number of residents from other Caribbean islands work there.
Even though the British Virgin Islands (BVI) are under the British flag, the U.S. dollar is the official currency. The island is home to many offshore companies that do business worldwide.
[edit] Attractions
White-sand beaches, such as Cane Garden Bay, are popular attractions. Cane Garden Bay also offers an abyss of surfing potential if you catch it on the right tide and swell. Located Just north of Apple Bay (a second good break that can hold swell significantly longer than Cane Garden), Cane Garden Bay is a large bay that is usually filled with boats and activities. However, access to the spot is relatively easy. Park in the dirt lot located on the right side and walk out on the dock.
[edit] Getting There
There are three ways to get to Tortola by sea and by air.
- Flights to Tortola arrive at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport. The airport is actually located on Beef Island, which lies just to the East of Tortola, but is connected by the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Most commercial flights come from St. Maarten, Antigua and Puerto Rico.
- The Tortola Ferry provides travelers with the opportunity to arrive by sea. The ferry runs between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and either Road Town or the West End of Tortola. The ferry schedule varies but prices range anywhere from $45-$52 round-trip [1].
- Seaborne Airlines provides daily flights from neighboring islands, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix [2].
[edit] Education
The British Virgin Islands operates several government schools. [3]
The following pre-primary schools serve Tortola residents:
- Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School
The following elementary schools serve Tortola residents: [4]
- Enis Adams Primary School
- Belle Vue (Joyce Samuel) Primary School
- Ivan Dawson Primary School
- Leonora Delville Primary School
- Francis Lettsome Primary School
- Alexandrina Maduro Primary School
- Isabella Morris Primary School
- Althea Scatliffe Primary School
- Ebenezer Thomas Primary School
- Willard Wheatley Primary School
Tortola residents are served by Elmore Stout High School.
Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre serves as Tortola's special needs school.[5]
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College is on Tortola.
[edit] Images
 Road Town |
 Cane Garden Bay |
 Lambert Beach |
 View of the North Coast |
 Panoramic View of the Harbour at Road Town |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tortola |
- [6] - Official website of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board
- Tortola travel guide from Wikitravel
Coordinates: 18°25′N 64°35′W / 18.417°N 64.583°W
