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.

Map reference: Central America and the Caribbean

Area
Total area total: 91 km²
Land: 91 km²

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 61 km

Maritime claims
Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 3 nm

Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Natural resources: negligible; salt, fish, lobster

Land use
Arable land: NA%
Permanent crops: NA%
Meadows and pastures: NA%
Forest and woodland: NA%
Other: NA% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds)

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Geography
Note: defense is the responsibility of the UK

Population: 7,052 (July 1994 est.)
Growth rate: 0.67% (1994 est.)

Nationality: noun:Anguillan(s)

Ethnic groups: black African

Languages: English (official)

Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%

Population growth rate: 0.67% (1994 est.)

Birth rate: 24.25 births/1000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate: 8.08 deaths/1000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate: -9.5 migrant(s)/1000 population (1994 est.)

Environment
Current issues: NA
International agreements: NA

Infant mortality rate: 17.5 deaths/1000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 73.99 years
Male: 71.21 years
Female: 76.8 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 3.07 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Literacy: age 12 and over can read and write (1984)
Total population: 95%
Male: 95%
Female: 95%

Government type: dependent territory of the UK

Capital: The Valley

Administrative divisions: none (dependent territory of the UK)

Independence: none (dependent territory of the UK)

National holiday: Anguilla Day, 30 May

Constitution: Anguilla Constitutional Orders 1 April 1982; amended 1990

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor Alan W. SHAVE (since 14 August 1992)
Head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March 1994)

Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be held March 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11 total, 7 elected) ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1

Judicial branch: High Court

International organization participation: CARICOM (observer), CDB, INTERPOL (subbureau)

Flag description: 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; a new flag may have been in use since 30 May 1990

Economy 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 and construction. Development plans center around the improvement of the infrastructure, particularly transport and tourist facilities, and also light industry.

Real gdp growth rate: 7.5% (1992 est.)

Real gdp per capita: $6,800 (1991 est.)

Agriculture products: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry, fishing (including lobster)

Industries: tourism, boat building, salt

Industrial production growth rate: NA%

Labor force: 2,780 (1984)
By occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: 5% (1988 est.)

Budget: revenues:$13.8 million

Fiscal year: NA

Exports: $556,000 (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodities: lobster and salt
Partners: NA

Imports: $33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)
Commodities: NA
Partners: NA

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)

Electricity
Capacity: 2,000 kW
Production: 6 million kWh
Consumption per capita: 862 kWh (1992)

Airports: 3
Usable: 2
With permanentsurface runways: 1 (1,000 m at Wallblake Airport)
With runways over 3659 m: 0
With runways 2440-3659 m: 0
With runways 1220-2439 m: 0

Disputes international: none