Anguilla

Broadcast media

1 private TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; about 10 radio stations, one of which is government-owned (2007)

Internet country code

.ai

Internet users

total: 12,000 | percent of population: 76% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Telephone system

general assessment: modern internal telephone system | domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 35 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 160 per 100 persons | international: country code - 1-264; landing point for the East Caribbean Fiber System submarine cable with links to 13 other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 6,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 26,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 158 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 209

Agriculture - products

small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising

Budget

revenues: $84.15 billion | expenditures: $75.33 billion (2015 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

5,025.4% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 1

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010) | 6.5% (31 December 2009) | country comparison to the world: 52

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.1% (31 December 2015 est.) | 9.09% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Current account balance

-$50.1 million (2015 est.) | -$46.9 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Debt - external

$8.8 million (1998) | $41.04 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 201

Economy - overview

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.

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - | 2.7 (2015 est.) | 2.7 (2014 est.) | 2.7 (2013 est.) | 2.7 (2012 est.) | 2.7 (2011 est.)

Exports

$6 million (2015 est.) | $6.3 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 218

Exports - commodities

lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP (official exchange rate)

$175.4 million (2009 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$175.4 million (2009 est.) | $191.7 million (2008 est.) | $108.9 million (2004 est.) | country comparison to the world: 221

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 71.9% | government consumption: 14.7% | investment in fixed capital: 20.3% | investment in inventories: 0% | exports of goods and services: 44.1% | imports of goods and services: -51% (2015 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 2.3% | industry: 21.1% | services: 76.5% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$12,200 (2008 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124

GDP - real growth rate

-8.5% (2009 est.) | country comparison to the world: 219

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$128.6 million (2015 est.) | $128.7 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 214

Imports - commodities

fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Industries

tourism, boat building, offshore financial services

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-1% (2015 est.) | -0.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 17

Labor force

6,049 (2001) | country comparison to the world: 219

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 4% | manufacturing: 3% | construction: 18% | transportation and utilities: 10% | commerce: 36% | services: 29% (2000 est.)

Population below poverty line

23% (2002 est.)

Public debt

20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | 20.8% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 157

Stock of broad money

$393 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $385.3 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Stock of domestic credit

$422.5 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $435.6 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178

Stock of narrow money

$25.98 million (31 December 2015 est.) | $19.08 million (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 190

Taxes and other revenues

47,973.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 1

Unemployment rate

8% (2002) | country comparison to the world: 91

Area

total: 91 sq km | land: 91 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 227

Area - comparative

about one-half the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds

Coastline

61 km

Elevation

mean elevation: NA | elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m | highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m

Environment - current issues

supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system

Geographic coordinates

18 15 N, 63 10 W

Geography - note

the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles

Irrigated land

0 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 0% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0% | forest: 61.1% | other: 38.9% (mostly rock with some commercial salt ponds) (2011 est.)

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)

Natural resources

salt, fish, lobster

Population - distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast

Terrain

flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone

Administrative divisions

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Capital

name: The Valley | geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W | time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see United Kingdom

Constitution

several previous; latest 1 April 1982; amended 1990 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Anguilla | etymology: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape

Dependency status

overseas territory of the UK

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (overseas territory of the UK)

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Christina SCOTT (since 23 July 2013) | head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 February 2010) | cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed chief minister by the governor

Flag description

blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength

Government type

parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK

Independence

none (overseas territory of the UK)

International organization participation

Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Judicial branch

highest court(s): the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the itinerant superior court of record for the 9-member Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to include Anguilla; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - is headed by the chief justice and is comprised of the Court of Appeal with 3 justices and the High Court with 16 judges; sittings of the Court of Appeal and High Court rotate among the 9 member states; High Court judges reside in 7 member states, though none resides on Anguilla | judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62 | subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court

Legal system

common law based on the English model

Legislative branch

description: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; seven members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, two appointed by the governor, and two ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms) | elections: last held on 22 April 2015 (next to be held in 2015) | election results: percent of vote by party - AUF 54.4%, AUM 38.3%, DOVE 1.4%, independent 5.9%; seats by party - AUF 6, independent 1

National anthem

name: "God Bless Anguilla" | lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON | note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967)

National symbol(s)

dolphin

Political parties and leaders

Anguilla United Front or AUF [Victor BANKS] (an alliance of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA) | Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER] | Democracy, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment Party or DOVE [Sutcliffe HODGE]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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.

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Age structure

0-14 years: 22.48% (male 1,924/female 1,842) | 15-24 years: 14.05% (male 1,176/female 1,178) | 25-54 years: 44.32% (male 3,340/female 4,084) | 55-64 years: 10.51% (male 834/female 926) | 65 years and over: 8.64% (male 719/female 729) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

12.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Contraceptive prevalence rate

43% | note: percent of women aged 15-45 (2003)

Death rate

4.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 202

Drinking water source

urban: 94.6% of population | rural: NA | total: 94.6% of population | urban: 5.4% of population | rural: NA | total: 5.4% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2008) | country comparison to the world: 146

Ethnic groups

African/black 85.3%, hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, white 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Languages

English (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.4 years | male: 78.8 years | female: 84.1 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Major infectious diseases

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

THE VALLEY (capital) 1,000 (2014)

Median age

total: 34.6 years | male: 32.7 years | female: 36.4 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80

Nationality

noun: Anguillan(s) | adjective: Anguillan

Net migration rate

11.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 7

Population

16,752 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 221

Population distribution

most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast

Population growth rate

2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 48

Religions

Protestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbytarian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.9% of population | rural: NA | total: 97.9% of population | urban: 2.1% of population | rural: NA | total: 2.1% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.82 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.98 male(s)/female | total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 163

Urbanization

urban population: 100% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 1.19% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe

Airports

2 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 197

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 1 | under 914 m: 1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VP-A (2016)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 2 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (2015)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Blowing Point, Road Bay

Roadways

total: 175 km | paved: 82 km | unpaved: 93 km (2004) | country comparison to the world: 211