Flag of the British Virgin Islands

What the flag looks like

A Blue Ensign with the coat of arms in the fly: a green shield showing a woman in white holding a gold lamp, surrounded by eleven more lamps, above a scroll reading VIGILATE.

What it means

The woman is Saint Ursula and the lamps represent her 11,000 virgin followers, after whom Columbus named the islands.

How to remember it

The British Virgin Islands' badge is a green shield with a woman in white surrounded by a dozen little lamps, Saint Ursula keeping watch.

Fun facts

• The motto Vigilate is Latin for "Be watchful".
• Although a British territory, the islands use the U.S. dollar as their currency.

British Virgin Islands at a glance

Status

British Overseas Territory

Sovereign state

United Kingdom

Capital

Road Town

Region

British Overseas Territory

Population

38,984

Area

153 km²

Languages

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Flag adopted

1960

Flags often confused with the British Virgin Islands

• Montserrat: Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands are both Blue Ensigns whose badge shows a woman. Montserrat's woman wears green and holds a harp and a cross; the BVI's is dressed in white on a green shield surrounded by lamps.
• Cayman Islands: The Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands are both Blue Ensigns with a coat of arms in the fly. The Cayman badge has a lion, three green stars and a turtle on top; the BVI shield is green with a woman in white surrounded by lamps.
• Turks and Caicos Islands: Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands are both Blue Ensigns with a shield in the fly. Turks and Caicos' shield is yellow with a conch, a lobster and a cactus; the BVI's is green with a woman in white and lamps.