The British Virgin Islands (BVI) stretches across the blue of the Caribbean like a strand of odd-shaped, freshwater pearls in varying sizes and colors. Most are mountainous with verdant hills, a striking contrast to the turquoise waters. A few are flat and sandy, nothing more than miles of beaches rising just above the ocean's surface. There are 60 islands, islets, and cays in all, only 16 of which are inhabited. They string between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea 60 miles east of Puerto Rico, forming part of the Virgin Islands in the Caribbean.

Columbus visited the islands in 1493 and named them Las Once Mil Virgines (The 11,000 Virgins) to commemorate the virgins who were companions of Saint Ursula, a martyr of the fourth century. However, Europeans did not settle the islands until 1648 when the Dutch arrived. Britain later acquired the islands in 1666. Around the same time, infamous buccaneers like Captain Kidd, Sir Francis Drake, and Blackbeard often hid out in the many coves found in the island group.

In the 1700s and 1800s, a plantation economy thrived with slaves working in the sugarcane fields. When slavery was abolished in 1834, the wealthy plantation owners left, and the islands struggled until tourism was introduced in the 1960s. Laurence Rockefeller, who was also influential in the tourism industry in the U.S. Virgin Islands, believed the beaches, climate, and sailing conditions would be attractive to tourists from around the world. He was right. Today, tourism is one of the primary contributors to the Islands' economy.

Concerning government, the BVI enjoys an autonomous relationship with Britain. The governor is appointed by the British crown, and the nine members of the Legislative Council and the attorney general are elected.

It would be easy to think that the British Virgin Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands are similar: They are only a mile apart at some points, and both are popular stops for cruise ships. In reality, however, the two are quite different. Whereas the USVI reflects America's commercialization and "anything goes" attitude, the BVI is quiet, conservative, with a degree of laid-back formality.

Tortola (Spanish for "Turtle Dove") resembles the USVI more than any other BVI island, in part because of the busy capital of Road Town. At 21.5 square miles in size, the island is the largest in the chain and, as such, is considered the hub. It features Mt. Sage, the highest point at 1,780 feet. Besides Virgin Gorda, it is the only island to have a road system (a challenging one at that). Many of the resorts and attractions are found here. Among the noted beaches on the island: Smugglers Cove, Apple Bay, Cane Garden Bay, and Long Bay Beach.

Mountainous Virgin Gorda ("Fat Virgin" as it was named by Columbus) is the second in size with 8.5 square miles. The pace here is slower than on Tortola--livestock have the right-of-way--but that hardly means it is primitive. The island harbors several plush resorts, and, for nature lovers, there are two national parks. Beaches include Trunk Bay, The Baths, Spring Bay, Majoe Bay, Savannah Bay, and Long Bay.

Jost Van Dyke is a party island: Many private charters from the USVI and BVI dock here for lunch at on e of the beach restaurants. The island is four miles long, features great snorkeling at White Bay, and is home to less than 200 people.

Only 1.7 square miles in size, Peter Island is a good place to dock and stroll the beaches. It is home to the exclusive Peter Island Resort and Yacht Club, and Deadman's Bay is considered to be one of the world's 10 most-romantic beaches.

Anegada, Spanish for "Drowned Island," is only 28 feet above sea level at its highest point. Unlike the other mountainous islands, Anegada is a flat coral limestone atoll.