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. On 7 September 2017, the island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Irma, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.
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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 - comparative
about one-half the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
61 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Terrain
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Elevation
highest point: Crocus Hill 73 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources
salt, fish, lobster
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 61.1% (2018 est.)
other: 38.9% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
0 sq km (2020)
Population distribution
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast
Natural hazards
frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
Geography - note
the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
People and Society
Nationality
noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan
Ethnic groups
African/Black 85.3%, Hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, White 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)
note: data represent population by ethnic origin
Languages
English (official)
Religions
Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbyterian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 21.63% (male 1,991/female 1,922)
15-24 years: 13.9% (male 1,269/female 1,246)
25-54 years: 42.27% (male 3,428/female 4,218)
55-64 years: 12.42% (male 993/female 1,254)
65 years and over: 9.78% (male 874/female 895) (2020 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 38.6
youth dependency ratio: 24.4
elderly dependency ratio: 14.1
potential support ratio: 7.1 (2021)
Median age
total: 35.7 years
male: 33.7 years
female: 37.6 years (2020 est.)
Population distribution
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.77 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 82.2 years
male: 79.59 years
female: 84.89 years (2022 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 97.5% of population
total: 97.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population
total: 2.5% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 99.1% of population
total: 99.1% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population
total: 0.9% of population (2017 est.)
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Environment
Environment - current issues
supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system
Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Land use
agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 61.1% (2018 est.)
other: 38.9% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 100% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla
etymology: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape
Government type
parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Dependency status
overseas territory of the UK
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)
etymology: name derives from the capital's location between several hills
Administrative divisions
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence
none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday
Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
Constitution
history: several previous; latest 1 April 1982
amendments: amended 1990, 2012, 2017, 2019
Legal system
common law based on the English model
Citizenship
see United Kingdom
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Dileeni DANIEL-SELVARATNAM
(since 18 January 2021)
head of government: Premier Dr. Ellis WEBSTER (since 30 June 2020); note - starting in 2019, the title of head of government was changed to premier from chief minister of Anguilla
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor
Legislative branch
description: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 2 appointed by the governor, and 2 ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 29 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APM 7, AUF 4; composition - men 8, women 3, percent of women 27.3%
Judicial branch
highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, though none on Anguilla
judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62
subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court
Political parties and leaders
Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER]; (formerly Anguilla United Movement or AUM)
Anguilla United Front or AUF [Cora RICHARDSON-HODGE]
International organization participation
Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000
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 symbol(s)
dolphin
National anthem
name: "God Bless Anguilla"
lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON
note: local anthem adopted 1981; as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the King" is official (see United Kingdom)
Economy
Economic overview
Anguilla has few natural resources, is unsuited for agriculture, 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 recovery of the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$175.4 million (2009 est.)
$191.7 million (2008 est.)
$108.9 million (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$175.4 million (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.3% (2017 est.)
-0.6% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 3% (2017 est.)
industry: 10.5% (2017 est.)
services: 86.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 74.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 48.2% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -67.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Industries
tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 74.1%
industry: 3%
services: 18%
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4% (2000 est.)
manufacturing: 3% (2000 est.)
construction: 18% (2000 est.)
transportation and utilities: 10% (2000 est.)
commerce: 36% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line
23% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget
revenues: 81.92 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 80.32 million (2017 est.)
Fiscal year
1 April - 31 March
Current account balance
-$23.2 million (2017 est.)
-$25.3 million (2016 est.)
Exports
$7.9 million (2017 est.)
$3.9 million (2016 est.)
note: Data are in current year dollars and do not include illicit exports or re-exports.
Exports - commodities
lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Imports - commodities
fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$76.38 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$48.14 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external
$41.04 million (31 December 2013)
$8.8 million (1998)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2017 est.)
2.7 (2016 est.)
2.7 (2015 est.)
2.7 (2014 est.)
2.7 (2013 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 6,000 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2018 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 26,000 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 182 (2018 est.)
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: in the telecom sector, with declines seen in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services — the mainstay of short-term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis to a small extent as employees and students have resorted to working from home, but their contribution to the sector has been insufficient to offset steep falls in other areas of the market; one area of the telecom market that does not yet appear poised for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have little appetite for investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage; until the economies and markets stabilize, and overseas visitors return there is unlikely to be much momentum towards implementing 5G capabilities anywhere in the region (2021)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 42 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 182 per 100 persons (2018)
international: country code - 1-264; landing points for the SSCS, ECFS, GCN and Southern Caribbean Fiber with submarine cable links to Caribbean islands and to the US; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media
1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned
Internet users
total: 12,489 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 82% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 5,000 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2018 est.)
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways
total: 175 km (2004)
paved: 82 km (2004)
unpaved: 93 km (2004)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Blowing Point, Road Bay
Military and Security
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the UK
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none identified
Illicit drugs
transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe