History of Anguilla:
Anguilla was first settled by Native American tribes. It was first colonized in 1650 by English settlers from Saint Christopher. The area remained under British rule until her early 19th century, when it became a British dependency along with St. Christopher and the other islands of Nevis.
The islanders wanted independence from Britain. Over the years, indigenous peoples have tried unsuccessfully for independence. In 1971, several years after the rebellion, Anguilla was separated from the rest of the island and became an independent British colony. It became an official British territory in 1980.
Information about Anguilla:
| Capital | The Valley |
| Population | 15,904 (Source: 2023 worldometer) |
| Major Cities | THE VALLEY (capital) |
| Borders | Antigua and Barbuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands. |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $175,400,000 |
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
Flag of Anguilla:
Anguilla Economy Key Industries:
Anguilla Major Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Anguilla Agricultural Products: small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Anguilla Natural Resources: salt, fish, lobster
Anguilla Major Exports: lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum
Anguilla Major Imports: fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles
The Geography of Anguilla:
Total Size of Anguilla: 102 square km
Geographical Low Point of Anguilla: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Geographical High Point of Anguilla: Crocus Hill 65 m
Climate of Anguilla: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
General Terrain of Anguilla: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
World Region or Continent of Anguilla: Central America
Geographical Coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W
The People of Anguilla & Culture
Anguilla Government Type: NA
Anguilla Nationality: Anguillan(s)
Anguilla National Holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May
Anguilla Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Anguilla National Symbol: dolphin
Anguilla National Anthem or Song: God Bless Anguilla
Anguilla Languages Spoken: English (official)
Anguilla Religions: 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% (2001 Census)
Interesting Facts about Anguilla:
Anguilla is only 26 kilometers (16 miles) long and 5 kilometers (3 miles) wide.
Anguilla is a popular tax haven because it has no capital gains, wealth, profits or other forms of direct taxation.
Over 90% of the population are descendants of slaves abducted from West Africa. They are friendly and happy people.
They eat a lot of seafood, but goat is the most popular meat. The average annual temperature in Anguilla is 27°C (80°F).
US Dollars are also accepted, but the official currency is East Caribbean Dollars, which are pegged to US Dollars, where US$1 = EC$2.68.
It’s insanely expensive. Many of the products in the supermarket are imported, so the prices are high. Restaurants can be quite expensive and so can lodging.
It has ultra-luxury accommodations. We discovered a beautiful property on a cliff while snorkeling. My guide said this is a vacation rental and the price is about $10,000 to $35,000 per week.
Ultra-luxury hotels are easy to find, but you can also book affordable accommodation. Budgets range from about $100 to $150 per night for a couple.
For $10 round trip (on a boat shuttle called ‘Happiness’) you can reach Sandy Island, a secluded paradise in paradise, a tiny island off the coast of Anguilla.
There is a heritage trail that takes you to beautiful old churches and interesting historical sites on the island.
You can charter a plane, but you don’t have to fly to catch the waves.
You can get there by ferry from Sint Maarten. In just 20 minutes you’ll be on the sandy beaches of Anguilla. I have a goat. many of them.
Goats, the main source of meat for the local population, can be found throughout the island.
As in most parts of Central America, there are plenty of stray (or ultra-free range) chickens.
All locals know each other. With a population of about 13,500 (2006 estimate), guides seemed to greet friends and neighbors wherever we went.
No cinema. It may not matter to some people, but I love movies. If you want to see the latest blockbuster, Sint he must go to Maarten. It’s not far, but it’s a completely different country.