Caribbean Cruise Destinations: Tortola

Video Transcript

"Tortola the name rolls off the tongue. The island is equally rich in history and beauty. For almost 150 years after the British took over Tortola was known as a pirate's den and became the haunt to some of the most infamous pirates. By the 1700's hard working quakers made the islands prosper with sugar, cotton, Indigo and rum. With a population of roughly 16,000 people Tortola boasts a strong economy and virtually no unemployment. The main commerce includes banking, insurance, light industry and of course tourism. The British Virgin Islanders are friendly and helpful people. It is a very laid back way of life with 32 public holidays. As in Great Britain, driving is on the left so when crossing the street be sure and look both ways. In addition to Tortola there are more than 50 other islands, rocks and crags in the British Virgin Island chain. Most of these are fairly small and uninhabited. Residents of Tortola like to say that the tallest objects on any of the islands are the coconut trees and its territorial law prohibits buildings to be more than two stories tall."