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National Flag
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Airport
Wallblake Airport (AXA) | Annual Rainfall
35 inches | Area
35 sq miles | Area Code
264 | Banks
8am-3pm Mon-Thurs, 8am-5pm Fri | Capital City
The Valley | Co-ordinates
18 15'N, 63 10'W | Currency
Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) | Departure Tax
EC$52 airport/EC$8 ferry | Dress
Swimwear on the beach (nudity illegal), shorts/summer wear during the day, nights can be cool
| Driving
On the left, 30 mph, permit US$20 | Electricity
120/240 volts, 60 cycle | Exchange Rate
EC$2.70 - US$1.00 | Highest Point
Crocus Hill (213 feet) | Language
English | Medical
911 for emergency and ambulance, private medical services at Hughes Medical Centre | Population
13 500 | Public Transport
Private mini-vans | Shopping
Mon-Sat 8am-5pm, grocery stores may open til 9pm | Taxis
Available throughout the island | Telecommunications
Phone cards, internet access, cellular rentals | Temperature
Average 80F | Time
Atlantic Standard | Tipping
Usually included | Water
Bottled is best for drinking |
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History
Anguilla (pronounced an-GWILL-ah) is a British overseas territory in the northern Caribbean, and is one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands. The name Anguilla is derived from the word for "eel" in Spanish - anguila, French - anguille and Italian - anguilla, most likely because of the island's eel-like shape. Natives of the island are "Anguillian". Like much of the Caribbean, Anguilla was first settled by Amerindians who migrated from South America. The earliest Amerindian artefacts found on the island are dated around 1300 BC, and there are settlement remains from 600 AD. There is some uncertainty regarding the date of European discovery, varying from Columbus in 1493 to the French in 1564 or 1565. Anguilla was first colonised by English settlers who came over from St Kitts in 1650. These settlers were closely followed by Europeans from Antigua and Barbados, and it is believed that these settlers brought the first slaves on the island with them. Anguilla was governed by the United Kingdom until the early nineteenth century when it was incorporated into a single British dependency with St Kitts (then known as St Christopher) and Nevis. After a rebellion in 1967 and and another in 1969, British rule was restored. Anguilla became a British Overseas Territory in 1980.
Geography
Anguilla is a flat coral island, located east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea, and receives an average annual rainfall of only 35 inches. The soil is thin and of poor quality, supporting mainly scrub vegetation. The island, however, boasts spectacular and ecologically important coral reefs. Small, uninhabited islands and cays that are considered to be within the territory of Anguilla are Anguillita, Blowing Rock, Cove Cay, Crocus Cay, Deadman's Cay, Dog Island, East Cay, Little Island, Little Scrub Island, Mid Cay, North Cay, Prickly Pear Cays, Rabbit Island, Sandy Island, Scilly Cay, Scrub Island, Seal Island, Sombrero, South Cay, South Wager Island and West Cay.
Economy
Anguilla's economy is driven by tourism, offshore incorporation and management, offshore banking, and fishing. Many insurance and financial business are headquartered on the island. The thin soil and dry conditions are unsuitable for agriculture. Tourism is expanding rapidly, and comes with the resulting new developments. To keep things in check on the island, there is presently a moratorium on foreigners buying land on the island. Stunning beaches surround this relatively flat island, and there are a host of superb dining experiences to be had. Eco-tourists will find myriad bird and reptile species to hold their interest at any of the island's salt ponds and offshore cays.
Religion
Christianity is the predominant religion on Anguilla, made up of 40 percent Anglican and 33 percent Methodist. Remaining Christian religions include Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventist and Baptist. There are at least fifteen churches on the island, several of which are very old and of significant architectural and historical interest. Anguilla is also the birthplace of Robert Athlyi Rogers, author of The Holy Piby, which has had a strong influence on the Rastafarian religion.
Language
English is the official language of Anguilla though locals also speak a creole dialect based on English and West African languages.
Sport
Sailing is the national sport of Anguilla , and sailing regattas are held on national holidays throughout the year. These regattas are contested by locally built and designed boats. Rugby is also growing in popularity, along with cricket - Anguilla is the home of Omari Banks, who played for the West Indies Cricket Team, and Cardigan Connor who played first-class cricket for the English county team of Hampshire.
Entry Requirements
Visitors arriving in Anguilla by private boat must clear Customs and Immigration at either Blowing Point or Road Bay (VHF Channel 16). A valid passport with at least 6 months before expiration, is required by all visitors to Anguilla. Visitors must also have a return ticket. Access to Anguilla from the USA is via Puerto Rico, from the UK and Europe via St Martin/Sint Maarten or Antigua, and from Canada and the Caribbean via Antigua. There is a regular ferry service from Marigot in St Martin to Blowing Point. The 20 minute crossing operates at half hour intervals from 7:30am - 6:15pm daily. |
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