TNAG-1001-FCO40-1237-Future-of-the-Dependent-Territories-including--Report-of-the-1981 — Page 21

In the 1980 census the population of St Kitts-Nevis was estimated at 44,404. Per capita GNP in 1979 was US$ 790. Figures for revenue and expenditure for 1979 were US$ 40.1m and US$36.2m

respectively. The economy remains heavily dependent on the sugar industry which is the major employer but substantial efforts are

being made to develop tourism in the two islands.

DEPENDENT TERRITORIES OF THE UK

Both the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat have constitutions which provide a measure of local autonomy just short of internal self-government but with a full Ministerial system. The Governor in each case is appointed by the Crown and remains responsible for defence and internal security external affairs, the civil service

and administration of the courts but is normally bound to act in

accordance with the advice of the Executive Council.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

The Virgin Islands were discovered in 1493 by Columbus who named them

after St Ursula and her 11,000 virgins. They are an archipelago

adjacent to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. There are 36

islands and islets of which 11 are uninhabited, the largest being

Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke with a total estimated pupulation of 11,400 (mid 1979). The estimated figures for recurrent revenue and expenditure for 1981 are US$ 13,546,000 and US$ 12,260,186. GNP per capita has been estimated in 1981 at

US$ 2750. In the first half of 1975 tourist spending was about

$ 6.6 m. The capital is Road Town, Tortola. The major industry is tourism, in particular yacht chartering, which contributes considerably

to the territory's gross national output.

MONTSERRAT

The island was discovered by Columbus in 1493 and named by him after

a famous mountain in Spain. It is situated 27 miles west of Antigua

and is about 11 miles in length and 17 miles in breadth: it has a

population of 13,000. Tourism and construction are the main

/industries