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Anguilla

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National motto: Strength and Endurance
National anthems: God Bless Anguilla (unofficial); God Save the Queen (official)
Official language	English
Political status	Non-sovereign, Overseas territory of the U.K.
Capital	The Valley
Governor	Andrew George
Chief Minister	Osbourne Fleming
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 220th 91 km² 35 mi² Negligible
Population  - Total (2005)  - Density	Ranked 221st 12,205 134/km² 347/mi²
Currency	East Caribbean dollar
Time zone	UTC -4
National Song	God Bless Anguilla
Internet TLD	.ai
Calling Code	1-264

Anguilla (English pronunciation: ang-GWILL-a) is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean, the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla, approximately 16 miles long by 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 area of the territory is 102 square kilometres (39.4 mi²), with a population of approximately 14,000 in 2005.

History

First colonised by English settlers in 1650, Anguilla was incorporated into a single British dependency along with the neighbouring islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the early 19th century, much to the objections of many Anguillans. In 1980, however, Anguilla formally withdrew from the territory, becoming a separate British dependency, which it remains.

Politics

Template:Morepolitics Politics of Anguilla 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. Anguilla, the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, is an internally self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom. The United Nations Committee on Decolonisation includes Anguilla on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. The territories 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.

Geography

Anguilla is a flat, low-lying island of coral and limestone in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico. It is approximately 16 miles long by 3 miles wide. The territory of Anguilla also includes a number of other smaller islands and cays, mostly tiny and uninhabited. Some of these are:

• Anguillita
• Dog Island
• Prickly Pear Cays
• Scrub Island
• Seal Island
• Sombrero, also known as Hat Island

For a longer list see Geography of Anguilla.

Climate

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.

Economy

The island's main industries are fishing and tourism, with the formation of offshore companies is playing an increasingly important role in the economy.

Demographics

The majority of residents 90.08% are predominantly Black. Growing minorities include whites at 3.74% and persons of mixed race at 4.65% and all others at 1.53% according to the 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 or Jamaica.

Culture

The Anguilla National Trust, or ANT was established in 1993 to preserve the heritage of the island, including its cultural heritage. They have programs 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 the tales of what life was like before the Europeans settled the island.

Holidays are also a cultural fixture throughout the Caribbean. 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 like the Queen's birthday are also celebrated.

Connection to Rastafarianism

Anguilla is the birthplace of Robert Athyli Rogers, author of The Holy Piby. The Holy Piby has a large influence on the Rastafarian beliefs, and to this day many Rastafarian activists such as Ijanyah Christian of Anguilla have praised him as a key shaker and mover of the faith. Today, there are many "rastas" living on the island, and the influence of the religion spreads to even those who are not a member of it.

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Anguilla
• Transportation in Anguilla
• Music of Anguilla

Reference

1. "National Song of Anguilla". Official Website of the Government of Anguilla. Retrieved October 12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

• Free Anguilla - A Network of Anguilla Forums (non partisan discussion)
• Anguilla News (News, People profiles, Talk, Carnival and more)
• Government of Anguilla (Official web site)
• Library of Congress Portals on the World - Anguilla
• "Anguilla". The World Factbook (2025 ed.). Central Intelligence Agency.
• Anguilla Resources
• Anguilla Resources
• Map of Anguilla
• Sailing Guide for Anguilla

18°13′13.99″N 63°4′7.01″W / 18.2205528°N 63.0686139°W / 18.2205528; -63.0686139

Template:West Indies

v t e Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Secretariat (Secretary-General)
History	West Indies Federation Caribbean Free Trade Association Treaty of Chaguaramas Single Market and Economy (CSME)
Members	Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Dominica Grenada Guyana Haiti Jamaica Montserrat St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Trinidad and Tobago
Associate members	Anguilla Bermuda British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Curaçao Turks and Caicos Islands
Observers	Aruba Colombia Dominican Republic Mexico Puerto Rico Sint Maarten Venezuela
Institutions	Caribbean Meteorological Organisation (CMO) Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) Court of Justice (CCJ) Disaster Emergency Management (CDEMA) Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Single Market and Economy (CSME)
Related organizations	CARIFORUM Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)
Member of the Community but not of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) British overseas territory awaiting entrustment to join the CSME

• Anguilla
• Lesser Antilles
• Special territories of the European Union