1990 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1990 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Coastline
61 km
Comparative area
about half the size of Washington, DC
Continental shelf
200 meters or to depth of exploitation;
Environment
frequent hurricanes, other tropical storms (July to October)
Exclusive fishing zone
200 nm;
Land boundaries
none
Land use
NA% arable land; NA% permanent crops; NA% meadows and pastures; NA% forest and woodland; NA% other; mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds
Natural resources
negligible; salt, fish, lobsters
Note
located 270 km east of Puerto Rico
Terrain
flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
Territorial sea
3 nm
Total area
91 km2; land area: 91 km2
People and Society
Birth rate
24 births/1,000 population (1990)
Death rate
9 deaths/1,000 population (1990)
Ethnic divisions
mainly of black African descent
Infant mortality rate
18 deaths/1,000 live births (1990)
Labor force
2,780 (1984)
Language
English (official)
Life expectancy at birth
71 years male, 76 years female (1990)
Literacy
80%
Nationality
noun--Anguillan(s); adjective--Anguillan
Net migration rate
- 10 migrants/1,000 population (1990)
Organized labor
NA
Population
6,883 (July 1990), growth rate 0.6% (1990)
Religion
Anglican, Methodist, and Roman Catholic
Total fertility rate
3.1 children born/woman (1990)
Government
Administrative divisions
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Capital
The Valley
Communists
none
Constitution
1 April 1982
Diplomatic representation
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Elections
House of Assembly--last held 27 February 1989 (next to be held February 1994); results--percent of vote by party NA; seats--(11 total, 7 elected) ANA 3, AUP 2, ADP 1, independent 1
Executive branch
British monarch, governor, chief minister, Executive Council (cabinet)
Flag
two horizontal bands of white (top, almost triple width) and light blue with three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design centered in the white band
Independence
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Judicial branch
High Court
Leaders
Chief of State--Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Geoffrey O. WHITTAKER (since NA 1987); Head of Government--Chief Minister Emile GUMBS (since NA March 1984, served previously from February 1977 to May 1980)
Legal system
based on English common law
Legislative branch
unicameral House of Assembly
Long-form name
none
Member of
Commonwealth
National holiday
Anguilla Day, 30 May
Political parties and leaders
Anguilla National Alliance (ANA), Emile Gumbs; Anguilla United Party (AUP), Ronald Webster; Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP), Victor Banks
Suffrage
universal at age 18
Type
dependent territory of the UK
Economy
Agriculture
pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry
Aid
Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-87), $33 million
Budget
revenues $9.0 million; expenditures $8.8 million, including capital expenditures of NA (1988 est.)
Currency
East Caribbean dollar (plural--dollars); 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Electricity
3,000 kW capacity; 9 million kWh produced, 1,300 kWh per capita (1988)
Exchange rates
East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1--2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Exports
$NA; commodities--lobsters and salt; partners--NA
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
NA
GDP
$23 million, per capita $3,350 (1988 est.); real growth rate 8.2% (1988)
Imports
$NA; commodities--NA; partners --NA
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
tourism, boat building, salt, fishing (including lobster)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
4.5% (1988 est.)
Overview
Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on lobster fishing, offshore banking, tourism, and remittances from emigrants. In recent years the economy has benefited from a boom in tourism. Development is planned to improve the infrastructure, particularly transport and tourist facilities, and also light industry. Improvement in the economy has reduced unemployment from 40% in 1984 to about 5% in 1988.
Unemployment rate
5.0% (1988 est.)
Communications
Airports
3 total, 3 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways of 1,100 m
Civil air
no major transport aircraft
Highways
60 km surfaced
Ports
Road Bay, Blowing Point
Telecommunications
modern internal telephone system; 890 telephones; stations--3 AM, 1 FM, no TV; radio relay link to island of St. Martin
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the UK