Anguilla

Map of Anguilla

Status: Overseas territory

Governor: Andrew George (2006)

Chief Minister: Osbourne Fleming (2000)

Total area: 35 sq mi (91 sq km)

Population (2008 est.): 13,854 (growth rate: 1.1%); birth rate: 13.8/1000; infant mortality rate: 18.9/1000; life expectancy: 77.6; density per sq mi: 389

Capital (2003 est.): The Valley, 830

Monetary unit: East Caribbean dollar

Ethnicity/race: black African

Literacy: 95% (1984 est.)

Economic summary: 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. Imports: $80.9 million (1999); fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles. Major trading partners: UK, U.S., Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 4,974 (2000); mobile cellular: 1,629 (2000). Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998). Radios: 3,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 1 (1997). Televisions: 1,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000). Internet users: 919 (2000).

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).

International disputes: none.

Major sources and definitions

Anguilla was first colonized in 1650 by English settlers from St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and has since remained a British territory. It was originally part of the West Indies Associated States as a component of the St. Kitts–Nevis-Anguilla Federation. In 1967, Anguilla declared its independence from the federation but Britain did not recognize this action. In Feb. 1969, Anguilla voted to cut all ties with Britain and become an independent republic. In March, Britain landed troops on the island and, on March 30, a truce was signed. In July 1971, Anguilla became a dependency of Britain and two months later Britain ordered the withdrawal of all its troops. A new constitution for Anguilla, effective in Feb. 1976, provided for separate administration and a government of elected representatives. The Associated State of St. Kitts–Nevis-Anguilla ended in 1980, and in 1982 a new Anguillan constitution took effect.

See also Encyclopedia: Anguilla.
Statistics Unit www.gov.ai/statistics/

Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies of the United Kingdom

Bermuda

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Anguilla

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