2017 Edition

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.

Area

91 sq km 91 sq km 0 sq km

land

91 sq km

total

91 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Coastline

61 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Crocus Hill 73 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Crocus Hill 73 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Geography - note

the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

0% arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% 61.1% 38.9% (mostly rock with some commercial salt ponds) (2011 est.)

agricultural land

0%

forest

61.1%

other

38.9% (mostly rock with some commercial salt ponds) (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

3 nm 200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Natural resources

salt, fish, lobster

Population - distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparse in the northeast

Terrain

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Age structure

22.21% (male 1,936/female 1,859) 14.08% (male 1,205/female 1,200) 43.82% (male 3,363/female 4,124) 11.06% (male 880/female 1,010) 8.84% (male 750/female 760) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

22.21% (male 1,936/female 1,859)

15-24 years

14.08% (male 1,205/female 1,200)

25-54 years

43.82% (male 3,363/female 4,124)

55-64 years

11.06% (male 880/female 1,010)

65 years and over

8.84% (male 750/female 760) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

12.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 94.6% of population rural: NA total: 94.6% of population urban: 5.4% of population rural: NA total: 5.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

NA

total

5.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

5.4% of population

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2008)

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

2.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

81.5 years 78.9 years 84.2 years (2017 est.)

female

84.2 years (2017 est.)

male

78.9 years

total population

81.5 years

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

THE VALLEY (capital) 1,000 (2014)

Median age

34.8 years 32.9 years 36.7 years (2017 est.)

female

36.7 years (2017 est.)

male

32.9 years

total

34.8 years

Nationality

Anguillan(s) Anguillan

adjective

Anguillan

noun

Anguillan(s)

Net migration rate

11.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

17,087 (July 2017 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

Population growth rate

1.97% (2017 est.)

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%, Presbytarian 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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.9% of population rural: NA total: 97.9% of population urban: 2.1% of population rural: NA total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

NA

total

2.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.1% of population

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.82 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.82 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.98 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.74 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

100% of total population (2017) 0.88% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.88% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

100% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

The Valley 18 13 N, 63 03 W UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

18 13 N, 63 03 W

name

The Valley

time difference

UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

several previous; latest 1 April 1982; amended 1990 (2016)

Country name

none Anguilla the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape

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

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Christina SCOTT (since 23 July 2013) Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 February 2010) Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed chief minister by the governor

cabinet

Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly

chief of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Christina SCOTT (since 23 July 2013)

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 chief minister by the governor

head of government

Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 February 2010)

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

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 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 Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court

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

Legal system

common law based on the English model

Legislative branch

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) last held on 22 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote by party - AUF 54.4%, AUM 38.3%, DOVE 1.4%, independent 5.9%; seats by party - AUF 6, independent 1

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - AUF 54.4%, AUM 38.3%, DOVE 1.4%, independent 5.9%; seats by party - AUF 6, independent 1

elections

last held on 22 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

"God Bless Anguilla" Alex RICHARDSON local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Alex RICHARDSON

name

"God Bless Anguilla"

note

local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)

National symbol(s)

dolphin

Political parties and leaders

Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP Anguilla National Alliance or ANA Anguilla United Front or AUF [Victor BANKS] (an alliance ADP and ANA) Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER] Democracy, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment Party or DOVE [Sutcliffe HODGE]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising

Budget

$84.41 million $82.7 million (2016 est.)

expenditures

$82.7 million (2016 est.)

revenues

$84.41 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010) 6.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.2% (31 December 2016 est.) 9.05% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-25.3 million (2016 est.) $-28.8 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$41.04 million (31 December 2013) $8.8 million (1998)

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.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2016 est.) 2.7 (2015 est.) 2.7 (2014 est.) 2.7 (2013 est.) 2.7 (2012 est.)

Exports

$3.9 million (2016 est.) $4 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

71.8% 14.5% 19.4% 0% 40.8% -46.6% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

40.8%

government consumption

14.5%

household consumption

71.8%

imports of goods and services

-46.6% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

19.4%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.4% 21.3% 76.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.4%

industry

21.3%

services

76.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,200 (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-8.5% (2009 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$175.4 million (2009 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$175.4 million (2009 est.) $191.7 million (2008 est.) $108.9 million (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$104 million (2016 est.) $108 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.6% (2016 est.) -0.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

6,049 (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

4% 3% 18% 10% 36% 29% (2000 est.)

agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining

4%

commerce

36%

construction

18%

manufacturing

3%

services

29% (2000 est.)

transportation and utilities

10%

Population below poverty line

23% (2002 est.)

Public debt

20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$374.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) $397.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$209.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $422.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$23.74 million (31 December 2016 est.) $25.98 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

48.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2002)

Broadcast media

1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned (2009)

Internet country code

.ai

Internet users

13,665 81.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

81.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

13,665

Telephone system

modern internal telephone system fixed-line teledensity is about 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 160 per 100 persons country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System 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 (2015)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 160 per 100 persons

general assessment

modern internal telephone system

international

country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System 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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

6,000 37 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

37 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

6,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

26,000 158 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

158 (July 2016 est.)

total

26,000

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

total

1

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-A (2016)

National air transport system

3 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

3 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

2

Ports and terminals

Blowing Point, Road Bay

major seaport(s)

Blowing Point, Road Bay

Roadways

175 km 82 km 93 km (2004)

paved

82 km

total

175 km

unpaved

93 km (2004)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe