Anguilla

Related Topics:
Anguillara_Sabazia :: Anguilla

See anguilla for the zoological genus.

**Anguilla**

(Full Size)

(In Detail)

National motto:
Each Endeavouring, All Achieving National anthems:
God Bless Anguilla (unofficial); God Save the Queen (official) Official language English Political status Non-sovereign, Overseas territory of the U.K. Capital The Valley Governor Alan Huckle Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming Area
- Total

- % waterRanked 221st
91 km²
35 mi²
Negligible Population
- Total (2005)
- Density

12,205
140/km²
363/mi² Currency East Caribbean dollar Time zone UTC -4 National SongGod Bless Anguilla Internet TLD .ai Calling Code 1-264

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.

History

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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

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.

Geography

}} 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:

Economy

}} The island's main industries are fishing and tourism, with the formation of offshore companies playing an increasing role in the economy.

Demographics

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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.

Culture

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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, celebrated as the Summer Festival. British holidays like the Queen's birthday are also celebrated.

Connection to Rastafarianism

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.

Miscellaneous topics

Reference

External links

Free Anguilla - A Network of Anguilla Forums (non partisan discussion)
Anguilla News (News, People profiles, Talk, Carnival and more)
Government of Anguilla (Official web site)
Anguilla Beaches (One family's extensive adventures)
Library of Congress Portals on the World - Anguilla
Anguilla Resources
Anguilla Resources
Map of Anguilla
Sailing Guide for Anguilla

Anguilla | Caribbean islands | Special territories of the European Union

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