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An island of the British West Indies in the northern Leeward Islands. Settled by the British in the 17th century, it was part of the self-governing colony of St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla until 1967, when it seceded unilaterally. A bid for full independence led to the landing of British troops in 1969. Anguilla became a dependency of Britain in 1971.
For more information on Anguilla, visit Britannica.com.
In 1967 the British possessions of Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Nevis were united in the self-governing state of St. Kitts–Nevis–Anguilla, associated with Great Britain. Anguilla, claiming political and economic discrimination, seceded in the same year and returned to British colonial rule in 1971. It was officially separated from St. Kitts and Nevis in 1980. The constitution of 1982, amended in 1990, gives Anguilla significant control over its internal affairs.
Local Time: Jul 24, 6:50 AM
Introduction
| Background: | Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. |
Geography
| Location: | Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
| Geographic coordinates: | 18 15 N, 63 10 W |
| Map references: | Central America and the Caribbean |
| Area: | total: 102 sq km land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km |
| Area - comparative: | about half the size of Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: | 0 km |
| Coastline: | 61 km |
| Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
| Climate: | tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds |
| Terrain: | flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone |
| Elevation extremes: | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m |
| Natural resources: | salt, fish, lobster |
| Land use: | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | NA |
| Natural hazards: | frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) |
| Environment - current issues: | supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system |
| Geography - note: | the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles |
People
| Population: | 13,677 (July 2007 est.) |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years: 22.3% (male 1,546/female 1,502) 15-64 years: 70.8% (male 4,979/female 4,705) 65 years and over: 6.9% (male 423/female 522) (2007 est.) |
| Median age: | total: 31.6 years male: 31.6 years female: 31.5 years (2007 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 1.375% (2007 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 13.97 births/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
| Death rate: | 5.34 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 5.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.029 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.058 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.033 male(s)/female (2007 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 19.61 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 77.46 years male: 74.53 years female: 80.49 years (2007 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 1.72 children born/woman (2007 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | NA |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | NA |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | NA |
| Nationality: | noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan |
| Ethnic groups: | black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 Census) |
| Religions: | Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census) |
| Languages: | English (official) |
| Literacy: | definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) |
Government
| Country name: | conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla |
| Dependency status: | overseas territory of the UK |
| Government type: | NA |
| Capital: | name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Administrative divisions: | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
| Independence: | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
| National holiday: | Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) |
| Constitution: | Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 |
| Legal system: | based on English common law |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Andrew N. GEORGE (since 10 July 2006) head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor |
| Legislative branch: | unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 21 February 2005 (next to be held in 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 38.9%, AUM 19.4%, ANSA 19.2%, APP 9.5%, independents 13%; seats by party - AUF 4, ANSA 2, AUM 1 |
| Judicial branch: | High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) |
| Political parties and leaders: | Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD] |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | NA |
| International organization participation: | Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), UPU |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | none (overseas territory of the UK) |
| Flag description: | blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below |
Economy
| Economy - overview: | Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | $108.9 million (2004 est.) |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | $108.9 million (2004 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 10.2% (2004 est.) |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.) |
| Labor force: | 6,049 (2001) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) |
| Unemployment rate: | 8% (2002) |
| Population below poverty line: | 23% (2002) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | 5.3% (2006 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.) |
| Agriculture - products: | small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising |
| Industries: | tourism, boat building, offshore financial services |
| Industrial production growth rate: | 3.1% (1997 est.) |
| Electricity - production: | NA kWh |
| Current account balance: | $-42.87 million (2003 est.) |
| Exports: | $14.56 million (2005 est.) |
| Exports - commodities: | lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum |
| Exports - partners: | UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2006) |
| Imports: | $129.9 million (2005 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles |
| Imports - partners: | US, Puerto Rico, UK (2006) |
| Debt - external: | $8.8 million (1998) |
| Economic aid - recipient: | $9 million (2004 est.) |
| Currency (code): | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
| Exchange rates: | East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003), 2.7 (2002) note: fixed rate since 1976 |
| Fiscal year: | 1 April - 31 March |
Transportation
| Airports: | 3 (2007) |
| Airports - with paved runways: | total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007) |
| Airports - with unpaved runways: | total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2007) |
| Roadways: | total: 175 km paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004) |
| Ports and terminals: | Blowing Point, Road Bay |
Military
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 18-49: 3,614 (2005 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 18-49: 2,986 (2005 est.) |
| Manpower reaching military service age annually: | males age 18-49: 120 (2005 est.) |
| Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of the UK |
Transnational Issues
| Disputes - international: | none |
| Illicit drugs: | transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe |
Genus of farmed eels in the family Anguillidae; includes A. anguilla (European eel), A. japonica (Japanese eel).
| Anguilla | ||||||
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"Strength and Endurance" |
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| Anthem God Save the Queen National song: God Bless Anguilla 1 |
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| Capital | The Valley | |||||
| Official languages | English | |||||
| Demonym | Anguillan | |||||
| Government | British Overseas Territory | |||||
| - | Queen | HM Queen Elizabeth II | ||||
| - | Governor | Andrew George | ||||
| - | Chief Minister | Osbourne Fleming | ||||
| Establishment | ||||||
| - | UK overseas territory | 1980 | ||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total | sq mi |
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| - | Water (%) | negligible | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | 2006 estimate | 13,477 (212th) | ||||
| - | Density | 132/km² (n/a) /sq mi |
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| GDP (PPP) | 2004 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $108.9 million | ||||
| - | Per capita | $8,800 | ||||
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
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| Time zone | (UTC-4) | |||||
| Internet TLD | .ai | |||||
| Calling code | [[+1 264]] | |||||
| 1 | National Song of Anguilla. Official Website of the Government of Anguilla. Retrieved on 12 October, 2005. | |||||
Anguilla (English pronunciation ang-GWILL-ah, IPA: [æŋ'ɡwɪlə]) is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean, one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 miles) long by 5 km (3 miles) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. The island's capital is The Valley. The total land area of the territory is 102 km² (39.4 square miles), with a population of approximately 13,500 (2006 estimate).
Anguilla was first settled in history by Amerindian tribes who migrated from South America. The date of European discovery is uncertain: some sources claim that Columbus sighted the island in 1493, while others state that the island was first discovered by the French in 1564 or 1565.[1] The name Anguilla derives from the word for "eel" in any of various Romance languages (modern Spanish: anguila; French: anguille; Italian: anguilla), probably chosen because of the island's eel-like shape.
Anguilla was first colonised by English settlers from Saint Kitts, beginning in 1650. Other early arrivals included Europeans from Antigua and Barbados. It is likely that some of these early Europeans brought enslaved Africans with them. Historians confirm that African slaves lived in the region in the early seventeenth century. For example, Africans from Senegal lived in St. Christopher (today St. Kitts) in 1626. By 1672 a slave depot existed on the island of Nevis. It served the Leeward Islands. While the time of African arrival in Anguilla is difficult to place precisely, archival evidence indicates that a substantial African presence (at least 100) on the island by 1683.
The island was administered by England, and later the United Kingdom until the early nineteenth century, when – against the wishes of the inhabitants – it was incorporated into a single British dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. After two rebellions in 1967 and 1969 and brief period as a self-declared independent republic headed by Ronald Webster, British rule was fully restored in 1969. It became a separate British dependency (now termed a British overseas territory) in 1980.
Anguilla is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom.
Its politics takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic dependency, whereby the Chief Minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system.
The United Nations Committee on Decolonisation includes Anguilla on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. The territory's constitution is Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982 (amended 1990). Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the House of Assembly. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the United Kingdom.
Anguilla is a flat, low-lying island of coral and limestone in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico. The soil is generally thin and poor, supporting only scrub vegetation.
Anguilla is noted for its spectacular and ecologically important coral reefs. Apart from the main island of Anguilla itself, the territory includes a number of other smaller islands and cays, mostly tiny and uninhabited. Some of these are:
Anguilla has a tropical though rather dry climate, moderated by northeast trade winds. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. Average daily maxima range from about 27 °C (80 °F) in December to 30 °C (86 °F) in July. Rainfall is erratic, averaging about 90 cm (35 in) per year, the wettest months being September and October, and the driest February and March. Anguilla is vulnerable to hurricanes from June to November, peak season August to mid-October.
Anguilla's thin arid soil is largely unsuitable for agriculture, and the island has few land-based natural resources. Its main industries are tourism, offshore incorporation and management, offshore banking, and fishing. Many insurance and financial business are headquartered in Anguilla.
The economy of Anguilla is expanding rapidly, especially the tourism sector which is driving major new developments in partnerships with multi-national companies. This boom, beginning gently during 2005-2006, is accelarating through 2007 and is expected to continue for years. In an effort to prevent overheating, there is currently a moratorium on "non-belongers" (foreigners) buying land in Anguilla. Anguilla's currency is the East Caribbean dollar, though the US dollar is also widely accepted. The exchange rate is fixed to the US dollar at US$1 = EC$2.70.
The majority of residents (90.08%) are black, the descendants of slaves transported from Africa. Growing minorities include whites at 3.74% and people of mixed race at 4.65% (figures from 2001 census).
72% of the population is Anguillian while 28% is non-Anguillian (2001 census). Of the non-Anguillian population, many are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, St Kitts & Nevis, the Dominican Republic, or Jamaica.
2006 and 2007 have seen an influx of large numbers of Chinese, Indian, and Mexican workers, brought in as labor for major tourist developments due to the local population not being large enough to support the labor requirements.
The Anguilla National Trust (ANT) was established in 1993 to preserve the heritage of the island, including its cultural heritage. The Trust has programmes encouraging Anguillan writers and the preservation of the island's history.
The island's cultural history begins with the Arawak Indians. Artifacts have been found around the island, telling of life before European settlers arrived.
As throughout the Caribbean, holidays are a cultural fixture. Anguilla's most important holidays are of historic as much as cultural importance – particularly the anniversary of the emancipation (previously August Monday in the Park), celebrated as the Summer Festival. British holidays, such as the Queen's birthday, are also celebrated.
Christianity is Anguilla's predominant religion, with 40 percent of the population practicing Anglicanism. Another 33 percent are Methodist. Other churches on the island include Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventist, and Baptist. There are at least fifteen churches on the island, several of architectural interest. [1] Although a minority on the island, it is an important location to followers of Rastafarian religion - Anguilla is the birthplace of Robert Athlyi Rogers, author of The Holy Piby which has had a strong influence on Rastafarian beliefs. Various other religions are practised as well.[2]
Today most people in Anguilla speak a British-influenced variety of "Standard" English. Other languages are also spoken on the island, including varieties of Spanish, Chinese and the languages of other immigrants. However, the most common language other than Standard English is the island's own English-lexifier Creole language (not to be confused with French Creole spoken in islands such as Haiti and St. Lucia). It is referred to locally by terms such as "dialect" (pronounced "dialec"), or "Anguillian". It has its main roots in early varieties of English and West African languages, and is similar to the dialects spoken in English-speaking islands throughout the Eastern Caribbean.
Sailing has deep roots in Anguillian culture, and is the national sport. In this sense Anguilla is unique as it is one of the former British Colony (the other being India that lists Field Hockey) does not consider Cricket as the national sport (Which is a popular sport nonetheless - Anguilla is the home of Omari Banks, who played for the West Indies Cricket Team). There are regular regattas on national holidays which are run by locally built and designed boats. These regattas do not conform to international sailing rules with regard to right of way. Instead, there is only one rule, known as the "Hard Lee" rule. (The name of this rule is derived from the motion required to tack a tiller boat, which is to push the tiller "hard to leeward") In the event of two boats on opposite tacks being on a collision course, one or both of the captains may elect to call "Hard lee" to the other. When this call is made, both boats must tack regardless of whether it is advantageous or not. The objective of this maneuver is to attempt to gain as much distance upwind as possible before having to tack to avoid a collision. Alternatively, one captain may decide to "draw" and either tack earlier or change his point of sail to avoid this maneuver. This means a loss in height, but it may be preferable to tacking towards a shallow reef or other unfavorable position.
Wikimedia Atlas of Anguilla, holding maps
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