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Central America
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Anguilla
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Page last updated on December 17, 2019
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Central America ::
Anguilla
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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 a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength
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Anguilla
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A popular spot for snorkeling, Little Bay is a secluded cove only accessible by boat. Anguilla is home to many ecologically important coral reefs and beaches.
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Anguilla, one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean, is composed of scrub-covered coral and limestone, which can be seen in this photograph of Limestone Bay. The island's many bays and pristine beaches draw visitors from around the world, making tourism Anguilla's main industry.
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The village of Sandy Ground is Anguilla's main port and harbor. It contains a large salt pond that is part of Anguilla's salt industry. While Anguilla's salt resources are smaller than other area islands, it benefits from its more accessible location for shipping.
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Sailboats at Sandy Ground before the annual Carnival Boat Race. Every year Anguilla holds a two-week-long celebration of Emancipation Day (beginning of August). While the island hosts many boat races throughout the year, the Champion of Champions Race during this celebration is the culminating event. Boaters from many neighboring islands, as well as from Anguilla, start in Sandy Ground and end in Island Bay. Spectators, nicknamed landracers, gather on the beaches to watch and picnic.
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The land mass seen across Rendezvous Bay is the island St. Martin, which is separated from Anguilla by the Anguilla Channel. Rendezvous Bay houses the longest beach in Anguilla and is the site of the Battle of Anguilla. The engagement took place during the Napoleonic Wars; the French were dispatched from St. Martin and landed on the beach of Rendezvous Bay. The invaders destroyed Anguilla's plantations, which by 1821 had almost entirely disappeared from the island. Although, the French were eventually routed by the British, the island's plantations never recovered, forcing many Anguillans into maritime occupations.
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Soil on the island is of poor quality making it difficult to grow most crops locally. The CuisinArt Resort at Rendezvous Bay has a 1,670 sq m (18,000 sq ft) hydroponics farm, unique to the Caribbean. The greenhouses are built to withstand 177 kmph (110 mph) winds, common during hurricane season. The farm grows vegetables, lettuce, and a variety of herbs.
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Shoal Bay beach is a popular choice of tourists and is located on the northern coast of the island.
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A stingray in Shoal Bay. Snorkeling is a popular activity around the island due to the presence of many reefs teeming with wildlife.
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A variety of coral types beckon to snorkelers in Shoal Bay.
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A school of fish parades before a coral mount in Shoal Bay.
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Introduction :: Anguilla
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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. On 7 September 2017, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure. -
Geography :: Anguilla
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Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
18 15 N, 63 10 W
Central America and the Caribbean
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
0 km
61 km
territorial sea: 3 nmexclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Crocus Hill 73 m
salt, fish, lobster
agricultural land: 0% (2016 est.)arable land: 0% (2016 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2016 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2016 est.)forest: 61.1% (2016 est.)other: 38.9% (2016 est.)
0 sq km (2012)
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast
frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
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People and Society :: Anguilla
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17,422 (July 2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 220
noun: Anguillan(s)adjective: Anguillan
African/black 85.3%, hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, white 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)note: data represent population by ethnic origin
English (official)
Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbytarian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.)
0-14 years: 22.01% (male 1,954 /female 1,880)15-24 years: 14.06% (male 1,231 /female 1,219)25-54 years: 43.27% (male 3,386 /female 4,152)55-64 years: 11.54% (male 918 /female 1,092)65 years and over: 9.13% (male 786 /female 804) (2018 est.)population pyramid:
The World Factbook Field Image ModalCentral America :: Anguilla Print
Image DescriptionThis is the population pyramid for Anguilla. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
1.92% (2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 51
12.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 156
4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 202
11.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 7
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast
urban population: 100% of total population (2019)rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2018 est.)
total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)male: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 206
total population: 81.6 years (2018 est.)male: 79 yearsfemale: 84.3 yearscountry comparison to the world: 25
1.74 children born/woman (2018 est.)country comparison to the world: 162
improved: urban: 94.6% of populationtotal: 94.6% of populationunimproved: urban: 5.4% of populationtotal: 5.4% of population (2015 est.)
improved: urban: 97.9% of population (2015 est.)total: 97.9% of population (2015 est.)unimproved: urban: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)
NA
NA
NA
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus
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Government :: Anguilla
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conventional long form: noneconventional short form: Anguillaetymology: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape
overseas territory of the UK
parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
name: The Valleygeographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 Wtime difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)etymology: name derives from the capital's location between several hills
none (overseas territory of the UK)
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
history: several previous; latest 1 April 1982amendments: amended 1990 (2018)
common law based on the English model
see United Kingdom
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Tim FOY (since August 2017)head of government: Chief Minister Victor BANKS (since 23 April 2015)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assemblyelections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed chief minister by the governor
description: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 2 appointed by the governor, and 2 ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms)elections: last held on 22 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020)election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 54.4%, AUM 38.3%, DOVE 1.4%, independent 5.9%; seats by party - AUF 6, independent 1; composition - men 8, women 3, percent of women 27.3%
highest courts: the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, though none on Anguillajudge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court
Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP
Anguilla National Alliance or ANA
Anguilla United Front or AUF [Victor BANKS] (alliance includes ADP, ANA)
Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER]
Democracy, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment Party or DOVE [Sutcliffe HODGE]
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU
none (overseas territory of the UK)
none (overseas territory of the UK)
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 a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength
dolphin
name: God Bless Anguillalyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSONnote: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
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Economy :: Anguilla
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Anguilla has few natural resources, is unsuited for agriculture, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing 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 recovery of the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.
$175.4 million (2009 est.)$191.7 million (2008 est.)$108.9 million (2004 est.)country comparison to the world: 222
$175.4 million (2009 est.) (2009 est.)
-8.5% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 220
$12,200 (2008 est.)country comparison to the world: 130
household consumption: 74.1% (2017 est.)government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.)investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2017 est.)investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)exports of goods and services: 48.2% (2017 est.)imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 3% (2017 est.)industry: 10.5% (2017 est.)services: 86.4% (2017 est.)
small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
4% (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 75
6,049 (2001)country comparison to the world: 219
agriculture: 74.1%industry: 3%services: 18%agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4% (2000 est.)manufacturing: 3% (2000 est.)construction: 18% (2000 est.)transportation and utilities: 10% (2000 est.)commerce: 36% (2000 est.)
8% (2002)country comparison to the world: 115
23% (2002 est.)
revenues: 81.92 million (2017 est.)expenditures: 80.32 million (2017 est.)
46.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 19
0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)country comparison to the world: 34
1 April - 31 March
$25.37 million (31 December 2017 est.)$23.74 million (31 December 2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 193
$25.37 million (31 December 2017 est.)$23.74 million (31 December 2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 196
$218.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)$209.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 183
lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
$76.38 million (31 December 2017 est.)$48.14 million (31 December 2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 183
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -2.7 (2017 est.)2.7 (2016 est.)2.7 (2015 est.)2.7 (2014 est.)2.7 (2013 est.)
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Communications :: Anguilla
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total subscriptions: 6,000subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (July 2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 203
total subscriptions: 26,000subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 158 (July 2016 est.)country comparison to the world: 207
general assessment: modern internal telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines; telecom sector provides a realatively high contribution to overall GDP; numerous competitors licensed, but small and localizeddomestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 37 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 158 per 100 personsinternational: country code - 1-264; landing points for the SSCS, ECFS, GCN and Southern Caribbean Fiber with submarine cable links to Caribbean islands and to the US; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (2019)
1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned
.ai
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Military and Security :: Anguilla
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defense is the responsibility of the UK
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Transportation :: Anguilla
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number of registered air carriers: 2 (2015)inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (2015)
VP-A (2016)
2 (2013)country comparison to the world: 197
total: 1 (2019)1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
total: 1 (2013)under 914 m: 1 (2013)
major seaport(s): Blowing Point, Road Bay
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Transnational Issues :: Anguilla
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none
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe