THE GEOGRAPHY (Foreign Office UK)
Status: British Overseas Territory
Area: 90 sq km
Population: 11,560 (2001 estimate)
Capital City: The Valley
Languages: English
Religion(s): Christianity
Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar
(EC$)
Major political parties: Anguilla National
Alliance (ANA); Anguilla Democratic
Party (ADP); Anguilla United Party
(AUP)
Governor: His Excellency MR Peter
Johnstone
Chief Minister: The Honourable
Osbourne Fleming
GEOGRAPHY
Anguilla is the most northerly of the
Leeward Islands in the eastern
Caribbean. The island is sixteen miles
long and a maximum of three miles
wide. It enjoys clear seas and some of
the best beaches in the region. The
island itself is predominantly flat and
covered with low scrub. Anguilla's
capital and administrative centre is the
Valley (population 1,400). Its primary
ports of entry are Wallblake Airport
and Blowing Point Ferry Terminal. The
nearest neighbouring islands are St
Martin/Sint Maarten 5 miles to the
south and the British Virgin Islands 25
miles to the west.
THE HISTORY (Foreign Office UK)
Colonised by British and Irish settlers
in 1650, Anguilla was administered as a
single federation with St Kitts and
Nevis from 1958 to 1962. The islanders,
believing their interests were being
ignored and wishing to retain their
direct links with Britain, sought
separation from the federation in the
1960s. This disquiet culminated in the
revolution of 1967. Anguilla came under
direct British rule in the 1970s and
eventually became a separate British
Dependent Territory in 1980.
POLITICS
Constitutional Status
Anguilla is an internally self-governing
UK Overseas Territory with a
ministerial system of government. The
1982 Constitution (amended in 1990)
provides for a Governor, an Executive
Council and a House of Assembly. The
Governor, appointed by HM The Queen,
has reserved powers in respect of
legislation, and is responsible for
external affairs, offshore finance,
defence and internal security (including
the police force).
The Executive Council comprises the
elected government plus two
Ex-Officio Members (Attorney General
and Deputy Governor). The House of
Assembly comprises twelve members:
Speaker, seven elected Members, two
Nominated and the two ex-officio
Members. Elections are held at least
every five years.
Government
Governor's Office:
Governor: His Excellency Mr Peter
Johnstone
Deputy Governor: Mr Mark Copes
Staff Officer: Miss Jackie Barlow
Executive Assistant: Mrs Sarah Bell
Government House
Old Ta
Anguilla
Tel: (00) (1) (264) 497 2621/2622
Fax: (00) (1) (264) 497 3314
Government Ministers:
Chief Minister and Minister for Home
Affairs, Tourism and Lands: The Hon
Osbourne Fleming
Minister of Finance, Planning and
Economic Development: The Hon Victor
Banks
Minister of Social Services: The Hon.
Eric Reid
Minister of Infrastructure,
Communications and Utilities: The Hon
Kenneth Harrigan
Recent Political Development
The last general election was held on 3
March 2000. The election saw a 64%
turnout of the 7,500 strong electorate
and narrow margins in two of the
seven constituencies. All seven existing
members of the House of Assembly
were re-elected. However, a
pre-election United Front agreement
between the leaders of the then two
opposition parties resulted in a straight
swap between the government and
opposition. The government is made up
of a United Front coalition of three
members of the Anguilla National
Alliance (ANA) and one member of the
Anguilla Democratic Party (ADP). The
Opposition is made up of former Chief
Minister Hubert Hughes and Albert
Hughes of the Anguilla United Party
(AUP). Former Social Services
Minister Edison Baird was elected as an
independent candidate.
THE ECONOMY (Foreign Office UK)
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: US$ 104.01 million (1999)
GDP per head: US$ 7,900 (1998 Est.)
Annual Growth: 9.2% (1997)
Major Industries: Tourism, International
Financial Services, Fishing
Major trading partners: USA, Eastern
Caribbean region
Exchange rate: US$ = EC$ 2.682
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Anguilla’s Relations with Neighbours
Anguilla is an associate member of the
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and
of the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS).
Anguilla’s Relations with the
International Community
HMG is responsible for Anguilla’s
external relations.
ANGUILLA’S RELATIONS WITH THE
UK
Diplomatic Representation
HMG are responsible for Anguilla’s
external relations, defence and internal
security. The principal point of contact
is Overseas Territories Department,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office and
Governor’s Office, Government
House, Anguilla.
Flags Of The World: Anguilla
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