Anguilla

{{about|the Caribbean British overseas territory|the zoological genus|Anguilla (genus)}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = Anguilla
|common_name = Anguilla
|image_flag = Flag of Anguilla.svg
|image_coat = Coat of Arms of Anguilla.svg
|image_map = LocationAnguilla.png
|national_motto = "Strength and Endurance"
|national_anthem = ''[[God Save the Queen]]''<br/>National song: ''[[God Bless Anguilla]]'' <sup>1</sup>
|official_languages = [[English language|English]]
|demonym = Anguillan
|capital = [[The Valley, Anguilla|The Valley]]
|latd= |latm= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longEW=
|largest_city =
|government_type = [[British Overseas Territory]]
|leader_title1 = [[British monarchy|Monarch]]
|leader_name1 = [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|HM Queen Elizabeth II]]
|leader_title2 = [[Governor of Anguilla|Governor]]
|leader_name2 = [[Andrew George (governor)|Andrew George]]
|leader_title3 = [[Chief Minister of Anguilla|Chief Minister]]
|leader_name3 = [[Osbourne Fleming]]
|established_event1 = [[British overseas territory|UK overseas territory]]
|established_date1 = 1980
|area_rank = 220th
|area_magnitude = 1 E7
|area_km2 = 102
|area_sq_mi = 39.4
|percent_water = negligible
|population_estimate = 13,477
|population_estimate_rank = 212th
|population_estimate_year = 2006
|population_census =
|population_census_year =
|population_density_km2 = 132
|population_density_sq_mi = 342
|population_density_rank = n/a
|GDP_PPP = $108.9 million 
|GDP_PPP_rank =
|GDP_PPP_year = 2004
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $8,800 
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank =
|HDI =
|HDI_rank =
|HDI_year =
|HDI_category =
|currency = [[East Caribbean dollar]]
|currency_code = XCD
|country_code =
|time_zone =
|utc_offset = -4
|time_zone_DST =
|utc_offset_DST =
|cctld = [[.ai]]
|calling_code = 1 264
|postal code = AI-2640
|footnote1 = {{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ai/national_song.htm |title=National Song of Anguilla |work=Official Website of the Government of Anguilla |accessmonthday=12 October |accessyear=2005}}
}}
{{coor title dms|18|13|14|N|63|4|7|W|type:landmark_scale:5000}}
'''Anguilla''' (English pronunciation ''ang-GWILL-ah'', {{IPAEng|æŋˈɡwɪlə}}) is a [[British overseas territories|British overseas territory]] in the [[Caribbean]], one of the most northerly of the [[Leeward Islands]] in the [[Lesser Antilles]]. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 [[kilometre|km]] (16 miles) long by 5 km (3 miles) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and [[cay]]s with no permanent population. The island's capital is [[The Valley, Anguilla|The Valley]]. The total land area of the territory is 102 [[square kilometre|km²]] (39.4 [[square mile]]s), with a population of approximately 13,500 (2006 estimate).

==History==
{{main|History of Anguilla}}
Anguilla was first settled by [[Amerindian]] tribes who migrated from [[South America]]. The date of European discovery is uncertain: some sources claim that [[Christopher Columbus|Columbus]] sighted the island in 1493, while others state that the island was first discovered by the French in 1564 or 1565.<ref>[http://www.gov.ai/elections/anguillahistory.htm Anguilla's History], Government of Anguilla website</ref> The name Anguilla derives from the word for "eel" in any of various [[Romance language]]s (modern Spanish: ''{{lang|es|anguila}}''; French: ''{{lang|fr|anguille}}''; Italian: ''{{lang|it|anguilla}}''), probably chosen because of the island's eel-like shape.

Anguilla was first colonised by [[England|English]] settlers from [[Saint Kitts]], beginning in 1650. Other early arrivals included [[Europe]]ans from [[Antigua]] and [[Barbados]]. It is likely that some of these early Europeans brought enslaved [[Africa]]ns with them. Historians confirm that [[atlantic slave trade|African slaves]] lived in the region in the early seventeenth century. For example, Africans from [[Senegal]] lived in St. Christopher (today St. Kitts) in 1626. By 1672 a slave depot existed on the island of Nevis, serving the [[Leeward Islands]]. While the time of African arrival in Anguilla is difficult to place precisely, archive evidence indicates a substantial African presence (at least 100) on the island by 1683.

The island was administered by England, and later the [[United Kingdom]], until the early nineteenth century when – against the wishes of the inhabitants – it was [[Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla|incorporated]] into a single British dependency along with [[Saint Kitts]] and [[Nevis]]. After two rebellions in 1967 and 1969 and brief period as a self-declared independent republic headed by [[Ronald Webster]], British rule was fully restored in 1969. Anguilla became a separate British dependency (now termed a [[British overseas territory]]) in 1980.

==Politics==
{{main|Politics of Anguilla}}
[[Image:Flag of the OECS.svg|thumb|left|Anguilla is an associated member of the [[Flag of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States|OECS]].]]
Anguilla is an internally self-governing [[British overseas territory|overseas territory]] of the [[United Kingdom]]. Its politics takes place in a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[Dependent territory|dependency]], whereby the [[Chief Minister]] is the [[head of government]], and of a [[wiktionary:pluriform|pluriform]] multi-party system.

The [[United Nations]] Committee on Decolonisation includes Anguilla on the [[United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories]]. The territory's 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 [[Anguilla House of Assembly|House of Assembly]]. The [[Judiciary]] is independent of the executive and the legislature. Military defence is the responsibility of the [[United Kingdom]].<br clear=left>

==Geography==
[[Image:Anguilla map.png|thumb|350px|Map of Anguilla]]
{{main|Geography of Anguilla}}
Anguilla is a flat, low-lying island of coral and limestone in the Caribbean Sea, east of [[Puerto Rico]]. The soil is generally thin and poor, supporting only scrub vegetation.

Anguilla is noted for its spectacular and ecologically important coral reefs. Apart from the main island of Anguilla itself, the territory includes a number of other smaller islands and cays, mostly tiny and uninhabited. Some of these are:
* [[Anguillita]]
* [[Dog Island, Anguilla|Dog Island]]
* [[Prickly Pear Cays]]
* [[Scrub Island]]
* [[Seal Island, Anguilla|Seal Island]]
* [[Sombrero, Anguilla|Sombrero]], also known as Hat Island
* [[Sandy Island, Anguilla|Sandy Island]]

==Climate==
Anguilla has a tropical though rather dry climate, moderated by northeast trade winds. Temperatures vary little throughout the year. Average daily maxima range from about 27 °C (80 °F) in December to 30 °C (86 °F) in July. Rainfall is erratic, averaging about 90 cm (35 in) per year, the wettest months being September and October, and the driest February and March. Anguilla is vulnerable to hurricanes from June to November, peak season August to mid-October.

==Economy==
[[Image:Sandy Ground Anguilla.jpg|thumb|375px|Overlooking [[Sandy Ground, Anguilla|Sandy Ground]], Anguilla]]
{{main|Economy of Anguilla}}
Anguilla's thin arid soil is largely unsuitable for agriculture, and the island has few land-based [[natural resources]]. Its main industries are tourism, [[offshore companies|offshore incorporation and management]], [[offshore bank]]ing, and fishing. Many insurance and financial business are headquartered in Anguilla.

The economy of Anguilla is expanding rapidly, especially the tourism sector which is driving major new developments in partnerships with multi-national companies. This boom, beginning gently during 2005-2006, is accelerating through 2007 and is expected to continue for years. In an effort to prevent overheating, there is currently a moratorium on "non-belongers" (foreigners) buying land in Anguilla.
Anguilla's currency is the [[East Caribbean dollar]], though the [[US dollar]] is also widely accepted. The exchange rate is fixed to the US dollar at US$1 = EC$2.65.

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Anguilla}}
The majority of residents (90.08%) are black, the descendants of slaves transported from Africa. Growing minorities include whites at 3.74% and people of mixed race at 4.65% (figures from 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, the Dominican Republic, or Jamaica and a very few Nigerians ranging from 7-15.

2006 and 2007 have seen an influx of large numbers of Chinese, Indian, and Mexican workers, brought in as labor for major tourist developments due to the local population not being large enough to support the labor requirements.

==Culture==
The [[Anguilla National Trust]] (ANT) was established in 1993 to preserve the heritage of the island, including its cultural heritage. The Trust has programmes 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 of life before European settlers arrived.

As throughout the [[Caribbean]], holidays are a cultural fixture. 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. [[United Kingdom|British]] holidays, such as the Queen's birthday, are also celebrated.

===Religion===
[[Christianity]] is Anguilla's predominant religion, with 40 percent of the population practising [[Anglicanism]]. Another 33 percent are [[Methodist]]. Other churches on the island include [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]],[[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]] and [[Baptist]]. There are at least fifteen churches on the island, several of architectural interest. [http://www.anguilla-beaches.com/anguilla-photos-churches.html] Although a minority on the island, it is an important location to followers of [[Rastafarian]] religion - Anguilla is the birthplace of [[Robert Athlyi Rogers]], author of [[Holy Piby|The Holy Piby]] which has had a strong influence on Rastafarian beliefs. Various other religions are practised as well.<ref>Statistics Department of Anguilla (2001). "Citizenship, Ethnicity and Religion". A Census 2001 Publication. Available online in [http://www.gov.ai/statistics/census/images/Vol%201%202005CE-%20Citizenship,%20Ethnicity%20and%20Religion.pdf pdf format]. Retrieved 25 December. 2006.</ref>

===Language===
Today most people in Anguilla speak a British-influenced variety of "Standard" English. Other languages are also spoken on the island, including varieties of Spanish, Chinese and the languages of other immigrants. However, the most common language other than Standard English is the island's own English-lexifier Creole language (not to be confused with French Creole spoken in islands such as Haiti and St. Lucia). It is referred to locally by terms such as "dialect" (pronounced "dialec"), or "Anguillian". It has its main roots in early varieties of English and West African languages, and is similar to the dialects spoken in English-speaking islands throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

===Music===
{{main|Music of Anguilla}}

===Sport===

{{seealso|Sailing in Anguilla}}

[[Sailing]] has deep roots in Anguillian culture, and is the [[national sport]]. There are regular sailing [[regattas]] on national holidays which are contested by locally built and designed boats.

As in many other former [[British Colony|British Colonies]], cricket is also a popular sport. Anguilla is the home of [[Omari Banks]], who played for the [[West Indies Cricket Team]].

== See also==
*[[Communications in Anguilla]]
*[[Transportation in Anguilla]]
: {{wikiatlas|Anguilla}}

==References==
{{reflist}}



==External links==
'''Official sites'''
* [http://www.gov.ai/ Government of Anguilla] - Official government web site
* [http://www.anguilla-vacation.com/ The Anguilla Experience] - Official publication of Anguilla Tourism Board
* [http://www.ahta.ai/ The Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association] - Official site of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association
* [http://www.anguillaguide.com/ Anguilla Guide] - Official publication of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association

'''News and media'''
* [http://www.anguillian.com/article/frontpage/6 The Anguillian] - Weekly newspaper of Anguilla
* [http://www.anguillanews.com/ Anguilla Life News Talk] - Online news source in Anguilla


'''Portals'''
* [http://www.loc.gov/rr/international/hispanic/anguilla/anguilla.html Anguilla] - Library of Congress Portals on the World
* {{CIA World Factbook link|av|Anguilla}}
* {{wikitravel|Anguilla}}

{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries and territories of Middle America}}
{{Countries and territories of the Caribbean}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership
|list =
{{Caribbean Community (CARICOM)|state=collapsed}}
{{Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)|state=collapsed}}
{{British dependencies}}
{{Outlying territories of European countries|state=collapsed}}
{{Territories of the British Empire}}
}}


[[Category:Anguilla| ]]
[[Category:Lesser Antilles]]
[[Category:Special territories of the European Union]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Former unrecognized countries]]



[[an:Anguila]]
[[zh-min-nan:Anguilla]]
[[be-x-old:Ангілья]]
[[bs:Angvila]]
[[bg:Ангуила]]
[[ca:Anguilla]]
[[cs:Anguilla]]
[[cy:Anguilla]]
[[da:Anguilla (land)]]
[[de:Anguilla]]
[[dv:އަންގީލާ]]
[[et:Anguilla]]
[[el:Ανγκουίλα]]
[[es:Anguila (dependencia)]]
[[eo:Angvilo]]
[[fr:Anguilla]]
[[gl:Anguila - Anguilla]]
[[ko:앵귈라]]
[[hi:ऐंगुइला]]
[[hr:Angvila]]
[[io:Anguila]]
[[id:Anguilla]]
[[is:Angvilla]]
[[it:Anguilla (isola)]]
[[he:אנגווילה]]
[[jv:Anguilla]]
[[kk:Аңгилия]]
[[kw:Angwilla]]
[[sw:Anguilla]]
[[lv:Angiļa]]
[[lij:Anguilla]]
[[lt:Angilija]]
[[hu:Anguilla]]
[[ms:Anguilla]]
[[nl:Anguilla (eiland)]]
[[ja:アンギラ]]
[[no:Anguilla]]
[[nn:Anguilla]]
[[nrm:Anguilla]]
[[nov:Angila]]
[[pms:Anguilla]]
[[nds:Anguilla]]
[[pl:Anguilla]]
[[pt:Anguilla]]
[[ro:Anguilla]]
[[ru:Ангилья]]
[[simple:Anguilla]]
[[sk:Anguilla]]
[[sl:Angvila]]
[[sr:Ангвила]]
[[sh:Angvila]]
[[fi:Anguilla]]
[[sv:Anguilla]]
[[ta:அங்கியுலா]]
[[vi:Anguilla]]
[[tr:Anguilla]]
[[uk:Ангілья]]
[[zh:安圭拉]]