UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM
Virtual Tours: British Virgin Islands
The Full Tour
Map
Introduction
Features of Natural Interest
Features of Other Interest, including Cultural
Threats / Problems / Issues
Projects / Conservation Actions
Opportunities
Organisations and Links
Tour Selection
Features of Other Interest, including Cultural

Like many Caribbean Islands, the first inhabitants were Amerindians. Columbus sighted the islands in 1493. The islands were once a haven for pirates. The Dutch were the first Europeans to make permanent settlement, but in 1672 BVI was annexed by Britain.

Top left: Belmont Mound is an important Taino site. Bottom Left: Excavations at Belmont discovered Taino petroglyphs (photo Dr Peter Drewett); Top right: A reconstruction of one of Columbus' ships; Bottom right: the British Warship HMS Boreas, at BVI, depicted in a commemorative stamp.


(Features of Other Interest, including Cultural, 1 of 7 - Slide ref. 525)