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Cruise Port Guide |
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Welcome to Tortola
on
Paradise Islands; the largest and
the main island of the
British Virgin Islands.
More than 80% of the
28,000 local population of the
whole of the BVI live on the
island and
the capital is
Road
Town.
The island is
around 21 square miles
with more than 30
sheltered bays and
impressive mountainous
peaks in the centre.
Popular beaches include
Cane Garden Bay and
Long Bay; both are
favoured destinations
for cruise ship shore
excursions and day
trips. |
This
Caribbean isle
has a
very
laid
back
feel (the
first
set of
traffic
lights
were
only introduced
in 2001)
and all visitors are
made to feel welcome in
a unique BVI style. The
word
Tortola
means
"land of
the
turtle
doves"
in
Spanish
and
"road"
(as in
Road
Town) is
a
nautical
term
meaning
a
sheltered
place to
drop
anchor.
The
famous
Pirate
Blackbeard
(real
name
Edward
Teach)
made his
home
here at
Soper's
Hole
for
three
years
between
1715 and
1718. |
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The isle
has more
than 70
small
hotels
and
guest
houses
plus the
largest
bareboat
fleet
(700
yachts)
in the
Caribbean.
The
island
is also a
popular
cruise
destination
and is
famous
for
local
seafood
dishes
seasoned
with a
West
Indian
flavour
and
authentic
spices
from a
variety
of
eateries
including
beach-shacks
and
upmarket
restaurants. |
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Since
1984
Tortola
has also
been an
international
financial
centre
with
half a
million
companies
registered
on the
island
(interestingly
that's
nearly
20
companies
for
every
man,
woman
and
child
living
in the
BVI).
Suffice
to say,
most
companies
use the
island
simply
as a
registered
business
address.
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Quick Facts
Capital
Road Town
Main Airport
Terrence B
Lettsome
Main Port
Road Town
Language
English
Currency
US Dollar
Government
British
Overseas
Territory
Island Size
21
Square Miles
Population
24,000
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Road Town |
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Cane Garden
Bay |
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Long Bay |
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Nanny Cay Marina |
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Soper's Hole |
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Brandywine
Bay |
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