Introduction

Background: |  |

`
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.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`18 15 N, 63 10 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 91 sq km country comparison to the world: 225 land: 91 sq km water: 0 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`about one-half the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`61 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm`
Climate: |  |
`tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds`
Terrain: |  |
`flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`salt, fish, lobster`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`NA`
Natural hazards: |  |
`frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system`
Geography - note: |  |
`the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles`

People

Population: |  |
`15,094 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 221`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 24% (male 1,861/female 1,764) 15-64 years: 68.1% (male 4,855/female 5,427) 65 years and over: 7.9% (male 577/female 610) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 33.3 years male: 31.9 years female: 34.7 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`2.173% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 39`
Birth rate: |  |
`12.92 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155`
Death rate: |  |
`4.44 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 201`
Net migration rate: |  |
`13.25 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 7`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 100% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`THE VALLEY (capital) 2,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.031 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 210 male: 3.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 80.87 years country comparison to the world: 19 male: 78.32 years female: 83.51 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.75 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 161`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 60% of population total: 60% of population unimproved: urban: 40% of population total: 40% of population (2000)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 99% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population total: 1% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Anguillan(s) adjective: Anguillan`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5% (2001 census)`
Religions: |  |
`Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3% (2001 census)`
Languages: |  |
`English (official)`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 12 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2008)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`3.5% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 120`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: none conventional short form: Anguilla`
Dependency status: |  |
`overseas territory of the UK`
Government type: |  |
`NA`
Capital: |  |
`name: The Valley geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
Independence: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)`
Constitution: |  |
`Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990`
Legal system: |  |
`common law based on the English model`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Alistair HARRISON (since 21 April 2009)
head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 February 2010)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed chief minister by the governor
`

Legislative branch: |  |
`unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 15 February 2010 (next to be held in 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - AUM 4, AUF 2, APP 1`
Judicial branch: |  |
`High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court)`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`Anguilla Progressive Party or APP [Roy ROGERS]; Anguilla Strategic Alternative or ANSA [Edison BAIRD]; Anguilla United Front or AUF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS] (a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA); Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`NA`
International organization participation: |  |
`Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UPU`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`none (overseas territory of the UK)`
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
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "God Bless Anguilla" lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Anguilla has few natural resources, 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 tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$175.4 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 $191.7 million (2008 est.) $108.9 million (2004 est.)`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$175.4 million (2009 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`-8.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 215`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$12,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 4% industry: 18% services: 78% (2002 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`6,049 (2001) country comparison to the world: 218`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4% manufacturing: 3% construction: 18% transportation and utilities: 10% commerce: 36% services: 29% (2000 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`8% (2002) country comparison to the world: 90`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`23% (2002)`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $22.8 million expenditures: $22.5 million (2000 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`5.3% (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 146`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 59 6.5% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`9.27% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94 9.51% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$19.03 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 186 $19.57 million (31 December 2008)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$458.9 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 172 $470.6 million (31 December 2008)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$529.6 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 163 $447.7 million (31 December 2007 est.)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, boat building, offshore financial services`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`NA kWh`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-42.87 million (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 70`
Exports: |  |
`$119.5 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 191`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum`
Imports: |  |
`$143 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 205`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles`
Debt - external: |  |
`$8.8 million (1998) country comparison to the world: 192`
Exchange rates: |  |
`East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2010) 2.7 (2009) 2.7 (2005) 2.7 (2004) 2.7 (2003)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`6,300 (2009) country comparison to the world: 209`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`27,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: modern internal telephone system
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is roughly 40 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 180 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (2009)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`1 private television station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.ai`
Internet hosts: |  |
`271 (2010) country comparison to the world: 186`
Internet users: |  |
`3,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 207`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 195`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 175 km country comparison to the world: 209 paved: 82 km unpaved: 93 km (2004)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Blowing Point, Road Bay`

Military

Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 3,641 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 3,009 females age 16-49: 3,397 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 111 female: 113 (2010 est.)`
Military - note: |  |
`defense is the responsibility of the UK`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Illicit drugs: |  |
`transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 25, 2011