Road Town

**Road Town**
	Road Town
British Virgin Islands
; Road Town, Tortola
	Location
	Data
Population:	9,400 (2004)
	Local Government

Road Town, located on the island of Tortola, is the capital of the British Virgin Islands. It is situated on the horseshoe-shaped Road Harbour in the centre of the island's south coast. The town's population was about 9,400 in 2004.^[1]

The town name comes from its position on the coast of a sheltered roadstead.

A 70-acre development called Wickham's Cay,^[2] consisting of two areas that were reclaimed from the sea and a marina have enabled Road Town to emerge as a haven for yacht chartering and a centre of tourism.^[3]^[4] In these areas you will find the newest part of the city. This is the hub for the new commercial and administrative buildings of the British Virgin Islands. The oldest building in Road Town, the HM Prison on Main Street, dates from the 1840s.

Road Town is one of the principal centres for Caribbean yacht chartering. It is the headquarters of several charter boat companies, which operating out of Road Harbour. Cruise ships can be often seen docked here as well.

The Harbour is a popular jumping off point for many of the ferries servicing the island. The ferry terminal is located at the southwest end of Road Town. Ferries run during the day every day of the week, but rarely at night: it is important to consult an up-to-date ferry timetable in advance.

History

Road Town has a rich history. The islands' economy had been based on plantations worked by slaves. On 1 August 1834 the emancipation of all slaves, under the Slavery Abolition Act 1833, was read at the Sunday Morning Well, which gave slaves their freedom, 27 years after the African slave trade had been ended.

In 1853 a town-wide fire destroyed nearly every building in Road Town. The fire spread because of angry rioters protesting an increase on the cattle tax. Rioters eventually set fire to most of the plantations across the island.