macrohistory & world report

Anguilla

Map showing Anguilla's place in the Caribbean

Island of Anguilla in the Caribbean Sea

World Factbook as of November 2014: "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."

Estimated per capita GDP
2008: $12,200

Anguilla's budget is approved by Britain's government. (Britain has an overseas territory budget. Anguilla is a British territory and self-governing regarding other local matters.)

People

Population
July 2014: 16,086
July 2011: 15,094

Average life expectancy at birth
2014: 81.2
2011: 80.87 years
2010: 80.77
2007: 77.46

Infant mortality (deaths before the age of one year per 1,000 live births)
2014: 3.4
2011: 3.47 deaths, compared to 4.6 for the United Kingdom (Britain)
2010: 3.49

Living in an urban area
2010: 100%

Birth rate
2011: 12.92 per 1,000 population.

Density estimated for 2005: 130 per square kilometer, about twice that of French Polynesia.

Net migration rate
2014: More arriving than leaving. A net gain of 12.43 per 1,000 pop.
2010: More arriving than leaving. A net gain of 13.55 per 1,000 pop.

Ethnic groups

2001 census: black (predominant) 90.1%, mixed, mulatto 4.6%, white 3.7%, other 1.5%

Religions
2001 census: Anglican 29%, Methodist 23.9%, other Protestant 30.2%, Roman Catholic 5.7%, other Christian 1.7%, other 5.2%, none or unspecified 4.3%

Geography

Consists of the main island of Anguilla itself, approximately 26 km (16 mi) long by 5 km (3.1 mi) wide at its widest point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no permanent population. Islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. Equivalent in size to 10 by 10 kilometers, or roughly 6.3 by 6.3 miles. Dry climate and thin soil hamper commercial agricultural development. No arable land.

Government

Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II. She is represented in Anguilla by a British governor. Britain is responsible for its defense. Local rule includes a House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, with two ex-officio members, and two members appointed, serving five-year terms. At the top of local government is the Chief Minister, elected by popular vote.

Capital: The Valley

Recent History

Ruled by the British from 1650 to 1980 when it became a  British dependency – an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Originally the British called it Saint Kitts.

SOURCES:
The World Factbook

Copyright © 2009-2013 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.