2019 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

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

Highest Point

Crocus Hill 73 m

Lowest Point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

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

Agricultural Land

0% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

0% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

0% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

0% (2016 est.)

Forest

61.1% (2016 est.)

Other

38.9% (2016 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

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; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast

Terrain

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Age Structure

0 14 Years

22.01% (male 1,954 /female 1,880)

15 24 Years

14.06% (male 1,231 /female 1,219)

25 54 Years

43.27% (male 3,386 /female 4,152)

55 64 Years

11.54% (male 918 /female 1,092)

65 Years And Over

9.13% (male 786 /female 804) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

12.4 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

4.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Total

94.6% of population

Improved Urban

94.6% of population

Unimproved Total

5.4% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

5.4% of population

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.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

2.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

3.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

English (official)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

84.3 years

Male

79 years

Total Population

81.6 years (2018 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

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

Major Urban Areas Population

1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018)

Median Age

Female

37 years

Male

33.2 years

Total

35.1 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

Anguillan

Noun

Anguillan(s)

Net Migration Rate

11.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Population

17,422 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.92% (2018 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

Improved Total

97.9% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

97.9% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

2.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

2.1% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.04 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.01 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.82 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.84 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.98 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.04 male(s)/female

Total Population

0.9 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

1.74 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

0.9% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

100% of total population (2019)

Administrative Divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

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

Amendments

amended 1990 (2018)

History

several previous; latest 1 April 1982

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

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

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 Tim FOY (since August 2017)

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 Victor BANKS (since 23 April 2015)

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

Highest Courts

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

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; composition - men 8, women 3, percent of women 27.3%

Elections

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

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Alex RICHARDSON

Name

God Bless Anguilla

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] (alliance includes ADP, 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

Expenditures

80.32 million (2017 est.)

Revenues

81.92 million (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

31 December 2009

6.5%

31 December 2010

6.5%

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

9.01%

31 December 2017

9.48%

Current Account Balance

2016

-$25.3 million

2017

-$23.2 million

Debt External

1998

$8.8 million

31 December 2013

$41.04 million

Economy 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.

Exchange Rates

2013

2.7

2014

2.7

2015

2.7

2016

2.7

2017

2.7

Currency

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

Exports

2016

$3.9 million

2017

$7.9 million

Exports Commodities

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

Fiscal Year

1 April - 31 March

GDP Composition By End Use

Exports Of Goods And Services

48.2% (2017 est.)

Government Consumption

18.3% (2017 est.)

Household Consumption

74.1% (2017 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-67.4% (2017 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

26.8% (2017 est.)

Investment In Inventories

0% (2017 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

3% (2017 est.)

Industry

10.5% (2017 est.)

Services

86.4% (2017 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$175.4 million (2009 est.) (2009 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2008

$12,200

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2004

$108.9 million

2008

$191.7 million

2009

$175.4 million

GDP Real Growth Rate

2009

-8.5%

Imports

2016

$170.1 million

2017

$186.2 million

Imports Commodities

fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles

Industrial Production Growth Rate

4% (2017 est.)

Industries

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

-0.6%

2017

1.3%

Labor Force

6,049 (2001)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

74.1%

Agriculture Fishing Forestry Mining

4% (2000 est.)

Commerce

36% (2000 est.)

Construction

18% (2000 est.)

Industry

3%

Manufacturing

3% (2000 est.)

Services

18%

Transportation And Utilities

10% (2000 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

23% (2002 est.)

Public Debt

2014

20.8% of GDP

2015

20.1% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2015

$48.14 million

31 December 2017

$76.38 million

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2016

$23.74 million

31 December 2017

$25.37 million

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2016

$209.1 million

31 December 2017

$218.5 million

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2016

$23.74 million

31 December 2017

$25.37 million

Taxes And Other Revenues

46.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2002

8%

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 Country Code

.ai

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

81.6% (July 2016 est.)

Total

13,665

Telephone System

Domestic

fixed-line teledensity is about 37 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 158 per 100 persons

General Assessment

modern internal telephone system with fiber-optic trunk lines; telecom sector provides a realatively high contribution to overall GDP; numerous competitors licensed, but small and localized

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)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

37 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

6,000

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

158 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

26,000

Airports

2 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

1

Total

1 (2019)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

Total

1 (2013)

Under 914 M

1 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

VP-A (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type

other 1 (2018)

Total

1

National Air Transport System

Inventory Of Registered Aircraft Operated By Air Carriers

3 (2015)

Number Of Registered Air Carriers

2 (2015)

Ports And Terminals

Blowing Point, Road Bay

Roadways

Paved

82 km (2004)

Total

175 km (2004)

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