Anguilla
See anguilla for the zoological genus.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.
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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 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.
}}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:
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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}}
The island's main industries are fishing and tourism, with the formation of
offshore companies is playing an increasingly important role in the economy.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Communications in *
Transportation in *
Music of Anguilla*
Free Anguilla - A Network of Anguilla Forums (non partisan discussion)*
Anguilla News (News, People profiles, Talk, Carnival and more)
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Government of Anguilla (Official web site)
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Library of Congress Portals on the World - Anguilla*
Anguilla Resources
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Anguilla Resources*
Map of Anguilla*
Sailing Guide for Anguilla |
Overlooking Sandy Ground, Anguilla |
