Anguilla
Encyclopedia : A : AN : ANG : Anguilla
- See anguilla for the zoological genus.
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| National motto: Each Endeavouring, All Achieving | |||||
| National anthems: God Bless Anguilla (unofficial); God Save the Queen (official) | |||||
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| Official language | English | ||||
| Political status
| Non-sovereign, Overseas territory of the U.K. | ||||
| Capital | The Valley | ||||
| Governor | Alan Huckle | ||||
| Chief Minister | Osbourne Fleming | ||||
| Area - Total - % water | Ranked 221st 91 km² 35 mi² Negligible | ||||
| Population - Total (2005) - Density | 12,205 140/km² 363/mi² | ||||
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar | ||||
| Time zone | UTC -4 | ||||
| National Song | |||||
| Internet TLD | .ai | ||||
| Calling Code | 1-264 | ||||
Anguilla is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean, the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of 5 islands, with the capital, The Valley situated on the main island of Anguilla. 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
- More information on politics and government of Anguilla can be found at the Politics and government of Anguilla series.
Geography
Anguilla is a collection of flat and low-lying islands and cays of coral and limestone in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico.
The islands and cays in the territory of Anguilla(besides the largest, Anguilla itself) include:
- Anguilla
- Anguillita
- Blowing Rock
- Cove Cay
- Crocus Cay
- Deadman's Cay
- Dog Island
- East Cay
- Hat Island
- Little Island
- Little Scrub Island
- Mid Cay
- North Cay
- Prickley Pear Cays
- Rabbit Island
- Sand Island
- Scilly Cay
- Scrub Island
- Seal Island
- Sombrero
- South Cay
- South Wager Island
- West Cay
Economy
The island's main industries are fishing and tourism, with the formation of offshore companies playing an increasing 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, 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
- Transportation in
Reference
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)
- [Anguilla Beaches] (One family's extensive adventures)
- [Library of Congress Portals on the World - Anguilla]
- CIA World Factbook entry on [Anguilla]
- [Anguilla] Resources
- [Anguilla Resources]
- [Map of Anguilla]
- [Sailing Guide for Anguilla]
| Countries in the Caribbean |
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| Independent nations: Antigua and Barbuda | Bahamas | Barbados | Cuba | Dominica | Dominican Republic | Grenada | Haiti | Jamaica | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Dependencies: -British: Anguilla | British Virgin Islands | Cayman Islands | Montserrat | Turks and Caicos Islands | -Dutch: Aruba & Netherlands Antilles | -French: Guadeloupe & Martinique | -U.S.: Navassa Island | Puerto Rico | U.S. Virgin Islands |
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| Antigua and Barbuda | Bahamas¹ | Barbados | Belize | Dominica | Grenada | Guyana | Haiti¹ | Jamaica | Montserrat² | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Suriname | Trinidad and Tobago | |
| Associate members: Anguilla | Bermuda | Cayman Islands | British Virgin Islands | Turks and Caicos Islands | |
| Observer status: Aruba | Colombia | Dominican Republic | Mexico | Netherlands Antilles | Puerto Rico | Venezuela | |
| ¹ member of the community but not the CARICOM (Caribbean) Single Market and Economy. ² territory of the United Kingdom just awaiting British instruments of entrustment to join the (CSME) | |
[[zh-min-nan:Anguilla]]
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