Anguilla

Anguilla is a British overseas territory. It is located in the Caribbean. It is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. Anguilla is situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. Puerto Rico is located at the West to the island. The islands of Anguilla comprise the main island of Anguilla and other numerous islands. Some of them are still uninhabited. The Valley (18 13 N, 63 03 W) is the capital of Anguilla. Anguilla Day on 30th May is celebrated as the national holiday.


HISTORY:- Anguilla was first inhabited by the South American Amerindian tribes. They reigned in the region from 1300 BC to 600 AD. It is presumed that the land came into European contact when Columbus landed on the island in 1493. Some opined that the island was first explored by the French in 1564. In 1650, the island was officially colonized by English settlers from St. Christopher. It was supposed that the African arrived to the island in 1683. Anguilla became a British colonial territory and remained until 19th century. In 1967, the island declared independence which was refused by Britain. Again in 1969, Anguilla declared independence. Both the rebellions were headed by Ronald Webster. In March 1969, Britain occupation started. In 30th March, a truce was signed that Anguilla would be a dependent country of the United Kingdom. But after two months Britain ended the occupation and Anguilla was granted to make its own constitution.

 

GEOGRAPHY:- Anguilla is an island, located at 18 15 N, 63 10 W. The island is situated in the Caribbean. The island comprises total 102 sq km land area. The coast line is 61 km long along with the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is Caribbean Sea (0 m) and the highest point is Crocus Hill (65 m). The small island is mainly formed of limestone and coral. The terrain is mostly flat and low lying. The soil is very thin and unfertile. There are a number of coral islands in the Anguillan territory. Hurricanes and other tropical storms are very frequent in the island.

 

CLIMATE:- The climate of Anguilla is mostly tropical and dry, which is moderated by the northeast trade winds. Temperature fluctuates through out the year. Average rain fall is 90 cm.

 

GOVERNMENT:- Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory. It maintains a parliamentary representative democratic dependency. The constitution was adopted on 1st April 1982 and it was amended in 1990. The three government branches are:

Executive branch is consisted of the chief of state (queen), the Chief Minister (head of government) and cabinet. Queen is represented by the Governor.

Legislative branch is consisted of the unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats).

Judicial branch is consisted of the High Court. The judge comes from Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Some notable political parties of Anguilla are- Anguilla United Movement or AUM; The Anguilla United Front or AUF- a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA; Anguilla Progressive Party or APP; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA. Voting rights are universal above 18.

Monarch  Queen Elizabeth II

Governor  Andrew George

Chief Minister  Osbourne Fleming

 

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Anguilla has no administrative divisions. It is an overseas territory of United Kingdom.

CULTURE:- The Anguilla National Trust, set up in 1993, preserves cultural heritage of the land. It encourages new Anguillan writers. It also undertakes several programmes to preserve the history of the island- beginning from the Arawak Indians to the European explorers. Anguillan holidays have a historic and cultural significance – like the anniversary of the emancipation, the Queen’s birth day. Anguillan music is very much influenced by the Antillean music. There are several renowned reggae, calypso, soca and country musicians in the island. Bankie Banx is the most famous musician of Anguilla and the Caribbean as well. Boat racing is the national sport of Anguilla. Rugby union and cricket are also very popular.

 

ECONOMY:- Anguilla is not blessed with a very fecund soil and has a very limited natural resources. Tourism, offshore incorporation and management, offshore banking, and fishing, especially lobster are the backbones of Anguillan economy.

GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $112 million; per capita $7,500.

Real growth rate: 2.8%.

Inflation: 2.3%.

Unemployment: 8% (2002).

Arable land: 0%.

Agriculture: small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising.

Labor force: 6,049 (2001); commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4% (2000 est.).

Industries: tourism, boatbuilding, offshore financial services. Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster.

Exports: $2.6 million (1999): lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum.

Exports - partners: UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2006)

Imports: $80.9 million (1999); fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles.

Imports - partners: US, Puerto Rico, UK (2006)

Budget:  

Revenues: $22.8 million

Expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.)

Debt - external: $8.8 million (1998)

Major trading partners: UK, U.S., Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2004).

Monetary unit: East Caribbean dollar

 

LANGUAGE:- English is the official language. But Spanish, Chinese and the languages of other immigrants are also spoken.

 

CITIES:- the capital city is The Valley. Apart from the main island of Anguilla there are several other territorial islands of Anguilla. They are as follows:-

Anguillita

Dog Island

Prickly Pear Cays

Scrub Island

Seal Island

Sombrero (Hat Island)

Sandy Island

 

POPULATION:- The island of Anguilla is very tiny populous. The estimated population is 13,854 with the growth rate of 1.1%. Some of the territorial islands are even uninhabited.

 

RACE:- The Black African are the majority in the island.

Black 90.1%

Mixed and mulatto 4.6%

White 3.7%

Other 1.5%

While Anguillian is 72% and non Anguillan is 28%. (2001)

 

RELIGION:-

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)

 

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 13.11 births/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 4.39 deaths/ 1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 3.54 deaths/ 1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.53 years

Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

 

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: 0 km.

Highways: total: 105 km; paved: 65 km; unpaved: 40 km (1997).

Ports and harbors: Blowing Point, Road Bay.

Airports: 3 (2002).

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