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Anguilla
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Anguilla is a
British West Indies 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 sq km,
with a population of approximately 14,000 in
2005.
History
Main articles: History of Anguilla,
First colonized 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
Main articles: Politics of Anguilla,
Executive authority is invested in The Queen,
who is represented in the territory by the
Governor. The Governor is appointed by the Queen
on the advice of the British Government. Defence
and Foreign Affairs remain the responsibility of
the United Kingdom.
The constitution of Anguilla came into force in
1982, amended in 1990. The head of the
government is the Chief Minister who is
appointed by the Governor. The legislative
branch consists of a unicameral parliament, the
House of Assembly, made up of 11 members.
Elections are held for 7 seats in the House of
Assembly, 2 members being ex-offcio and 2
appointed.
The current Governor is Alan Huckle, appointed
in May 2004. The current Chief Minister is
Osbourne Fleming following the victory of the
United Front in elections held during February
2005.
Geography
Main articles: Geography of Anguilla,
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:
Anguillita Island
Dog Island
Little Scrub Island
Prickly Pear Cays
Sandy Island
Scrub Island
Seal Island
Sombrero |
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Background:
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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.
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Location:
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Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of
Puerto Rico |
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Geographic coordinates:
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18 15
N, 63 10 W
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Map references:
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Central America and the Caribbean |
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Area:
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total: 102 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 102 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about
half the size of Washington, DC |
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Nationality:
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noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan |
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Ethnic groups:
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black
(predominant), mulatto, white |
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Religions:
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Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist
7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% |
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Languages:
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English (official) |
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Currency:
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East
Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
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Currency code:
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XCD
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Exchange rates:
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East
Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate
since 1976) |
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Internet country code:
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.ai
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