British Crown Overseas Dependencies

British Crown Overseas Dependencies:

• Atlantic Ocean:
  • Bermuda (60 000 inhabitants; 1998)
  • Falkland Islands (2 826 inhabitants in July 2000)
  • St. Helena (7 212 inhabitants in July 2000)
  • Tristan da Cunha (300 inhabitants in 1998)
  • Ascension Island
• Caribbean : (total population roughly between 8 000 and 20 000 in 2000)
  • Cayman Islands (34 763 inhabitants in July 2000)
  • Turks and Caicos Islands (17 500 inhabitants in July 2000)
  • Montserrat (6 409 inhabitants in July 2000)
  • Virgin Islands (19 615 inhabitants in July 2000)
• Pacific Ocean:
  • Pitcairn Islands (~ 50 inhabitants in 1998)

Bermuda

Bermuda has 60 000 inhabitants. Like Gibraltar, Bermuda has internal self government[?] and its members are also elected by universal suffrage. In 1995 there was a referendum on independence for Bermuda but a considerable majority of the voters decided against independence. Its economy is based on tourism and off-shore financial centres.

Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands have 2 826 inhabitants and were colonized in 1833 by Scottish settlers. In 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands but Britain reoccupied the Falklands and established a military garrison (2 000 troops), a new airfield and a new school. After the war many young people emigrated to Britain in order to study or work there but most of them returned to the Falklands after some time. In 1990 diplomatic relations between Britain and Argentina were resumed.

The Falkland Islands are a very remote place. There is no live television, there is a flight to Britain only every two weeks, there are no air links with Argentina, and the Falklands get their fruit and vegetables from Chile.

Government and Administration

In 1985 the Falklands got a new constitution as a crown colony. Like Gibraltar and Bermuda the Falklands' government consists of a Governor, an Executive Council and a Legislative Council which is elected by universal suffrage.

Economy

Their economy is based on sheep, fishing (150 miles fishing zone; fishing rights are sold to Spain, Portugal and Japan), tourism and recently oil exploration.

See also: Crown colony