Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Jost Van Dyke is the smallest of the four main islands of the British Virgin Islands, measuring roughly eight square kilometers (3 square miles). It rests in the northern portion of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. Jost Van Dyke lies about 8 km (5 mi) to the northwest of Tortola and 8 km (5 mi) to the north of St. John.

With around 300 inhabitants, Jost Van Dyke is the second smallest island in terms of population in the BVIs. The majority of JVD's population inhabits three main areas including Great Harbor, White Bay and Little Harbor.

There is no specific information available that 17th-century Dutch privateer, Joost van Dyk, is the name sake of the island. This early Dutch settler and former pirate used Jost van Dyke's harbors as a hideout, and may be the name sake, yet there is no factual evidence supporting this claim.

The main source of industry on the island is tourism and fishing. The population of JVD is young with one-half (46%) of residents under the age of 35 and almost 70% under the age of 50.

The port at Great Harbor is one of the busiest in the BVIs with more than 8,000 boats clearing through customs a year. White Bay is commonly ranked among the top beach destinations in the world. The New Year's Eve (or Old Year's Night as referred to by locals) is annually rated among the top three on the planet.