Main article: Geography of Anguilla Anguilla is a flat, low-lying island of coral and limestone in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It is directly north of Saint Martin, separated from that island by the Anguilla Channel. The soil is generally thin and poor, supporting only scrub vegetation. Anguilla is noted for its spectacular and ecologically important coral reefs and beaches. Apart from the main island of Anguilla itself, the territory includes a number of other smaller islands and cays, mostly tiny and uninhabited. Some of these are: Anguillita Dog Island Prickly Pear Cays Sandy Island Scrub Island Seal Island Sombrero, also known as Hat Island Climate Main article: Climate of Anguilla Temperature Northeastern trade winds keep this tropical island cool and dry. Average annual temperature is 27 °C (80.6 °F). July–October is its hottest period, December–February, its coolest. Rainfall Rainfall averages 900 mm (35.4 in) annually, although the figures vary from season to season and year to year. The island is subject to both sudden tropical storms and hurricanes, which occur in the period from July to October. The island suffered damage in 1995 from Hurricane Luis. Economy Overlooking Sandy Ground, Anguilla. Main article: Economy of Anguilla Anguilla's thin arid soil is largely unsuitable for agriculture, and the island has few land-based natural resources. Its main industries are tourism, offshore incorporation and management, offshore banking, and fishing. Many insurance and financial business are headquartered in Anguilla. The economy of Anguilla is expanding rapidly, especially the tourism sector which is driving major new developments in partnerships with multi-national companies. This boom, beginning gently during 2005-2006, is accelerating through 2007 and is expected to continue for years. Anguilla's currency is the East Caribbean dollar, though the US dollar is also widely accepted. The exchange rate is fixed to the US dollar at US$1 = EC$2.68. The economy, and especially the tourism sector, suffered a setback in late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September but recovered in 1996. Hotels were hit particularly hard during this time. Another economic setback occurred during the aftermath of Hurricane Lenny in 2000.[7] Transportation Main article: Transport in Anguilla Anguilla is served by Clayton J Lloyd International Airport. The airport was previously known as Wallblake Airport, the name changed on 4th July 2010. The primary runway at the airport is 5,462 feet (1,665 m) in length and can accommodate moderate-sized aircraft. Services connect to various other Caribbean islands, but the airport can receive large jets such as Boeing 757 and there are no direct flights to or from continental America or Europe. Regular ferries link Anguilla and the neighboring island of Saint Martin, with a journey time of about twenty minutes. Aside from taxis, there is no public transport on the island. Cars drive on the left. Demographics Main article: Demographics of Anguilla The majority of residents (90.08%) are black, the descendants of slaves transported from Africa. Growing minorities include whites at 3.74% and people of mixed race at 4.65% (figures from 2001 census). 72% of the population is Anguillian while 28% is non-Anguillian (2001 census). Of the non-Anguillian population, many are citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, St Kitts & Nevis, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Nigeria. 2006 and 2007 saw an influx of large numbers of Chinese, Indian, and Mexican workers, brought in as labour for major tourist developments due to the local population not being large enough to support the labour requirements. Culture The beach at the Cap Juluca resort on Maundays Bay. Island Harbour The Anguilla National Trust (ANT) was established in 1988 and opened its offices in 1993 charged with the responsibility of preserving the heritage of the island, including its cultural heritage. The Trust has programmes encouraging Anguillian writers and the preservation of the island's history. The island's cultural history begins with the Taino Indians. Artifacts have been found around the island, telling of life before European settlers arrived. As throughout the Caribbean, holidays are a cultural fixture. Anguilla's most important holidays are of historic as much as cultural importance – particularly the anniversary of the emancipation (previously August Monday in the Park), celebrated as the Summer Festival. British holidays, such as the Queen's birthday, are also celebrated. Religion According to the 2001 census Christianity is Anguilla's predominant religion, with 29 percent of the population practising Anglicanism. Another 23.9 percent are Methodist. Other churches on the island include Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, Roman Catholic, and Jehovah's Witnesses (0.7%).[8] Between 1992 and 2001 the number of followers of the Church of God[disambiguation needed] and Pentecostal Churches increased considerably. There are at least fifteen churches on the island, several of architectural interest. Although a minority on the island, it is an important location to followers of Rastafarian religion – Anguilla is the birthplace of Robert Athlyi Rogers, author of The Holy Piby which has had a strong influence on Rastafarian beliefs. Various other religions are practised as well.[8] Religions in Anguilla[8] in percent Religion 1992 2001 Anglican 40.4 29.0 Methodist 33.2 23.9 Seventh-day Adventist 7.0 7.6 Baptist 4.7 7.3 Roman Catholic 3.2 5.7 Episcopalian - 7.6 Pentecostal - 7.7 Jehovah Witnesses - 0.7 Rastafarian - 0.7 Evangelical - 0.5 Plymouth Brethren - 0.3 Muslim - 0.3 Presbyterian - 0.2 Hindu - 0.4 Jewish - 0.1 None - 4.0 Other 10.7 3.5 Not stated 0.7 0.3 Language Main article: Anguillan Creole Today most people in Anguilla speak a British-influenced variety of "Standard" English. Other languages are also spoken on the island, including varieties of Spanish, Chinese and the languages of other immigrants. However, the most common language other than Standard English is the island's own English-lexifier Creole language (not to be confused with French Creole spoken in islands such as Haiti, Martinique, and Guadeloupe). It is referred to locally by terms such as "dialect" (pronounced "dialec"), or "Anguillian". It has its main roots in early varieties of English and West African languages, and is similar to the dialects spoken in English-speaking islands throughout the Eastern Caribbean. Music Main article: Music of Anguilla Sport A modern square rigger viewed from Long Bay See also: Sailing in Anguilla, Cricket in the West Indies, and Rugby union in Anguilla Boat racing has deep roots in Anguillian culture, and is the national sport. There are regular sailing regattas on national holidays, such as Carnival, which are contested by locally built and designed boats. These boats have names and have sponsors that print their logo on their sails. As in many other former British Colonies, cricket is also a popular sport. Anguilla is the home of Omari Banks, who played for the West Indies Cricket Team, while Cardigan Connor played first-class cricket for English county side Hampshire and was 'chef de mission' (team manager) for Anguilla's Commonwealth Games team in 2002. Rugby union is represented in Anguilla by the Anguilla Eels RFC, who were formed in April 2006.[9] The Eels have been finalists in the St. Martin tournament in November 2006 and semi finalists in 2007, 2008, and 2009. The Eels were formed in 2006 by Scottish club national second row Martin Welsh, Club Sponsor and madame President of the AERFC Ms Jacquie Ruan, and Canadian standout Scrumhalf Mark Harris (Toronto Scottish RFC). The club was lucky enough to host the HMS Iron Duke in September 2008 which saw a very spirited game going to the visitors 18-13. The St Barts Barracudas have also been to Anguilla to play the Eels also prevailing 11 tries to 6. See also Caribbean portal United Kingdom portal Main article: Outline of Anguilla Index of Anguilla-related articles References ^ Anguilla World Fact Book ^ Country Profile: Anguilla, Travel & Living Abroad, Foreign & Commonwealth Office ^ http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/wofact92/wf930012.txt ^ Caribbean Islands, Sarah Cameron (Footprint Travel Guides), p. 466 (Google Books) ^ Anguilla's History, Government of Anguilla website ^ Charles Prestwood Lucas (2009). A Historical Geography of the British Colonies: The West Indies. General Books LLC. pp. 143. ISBN 978-1459008687.  ^ South America, Central America and the Caribbean 2003 (11 ed.). Routledge. 2002. pp. 52. ISBN 978-1857431384.  ^ a b c "Persons by Religion, Census 1992 and 2001 (Table 14)". Statistics Department of Anguilla. http://gov.ai/statistics/census/Demography%20&%20Culture%20tables.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-16.  ^ Rugby in Anguilla!, Anguilla News External links Find more about Anguilla on Wikipedia's sister projects: Definitions from Wiktionary Textbooks from Wikibooks Quotations from Wikiquote Source texts from Wikisource Images and media from Commons News stories from Wikinews Learning resources from Wikiversity Government Government of Anguilla official government website General information Anguilla entry at The World Factbook Anguilla from UCB Libraries GovPubs Portals on the World: Anguilla from the Library of Congress of the United States Anguilla at the Open Directory Project Wikimedia Atlas of Anguilla Travel Anguilla travel guide from Wikitravel   Articles Related to Anguilla    Geographic locale Lat. and Long. 18°13'14?N 63°4'7?W? / ?18.22056°N 63.06861°W? / 18.22056; -63.06861 v • d • e Countries and dependencies of North America Several nations listed here straddle both North and South America or can also be considered Caribbean. Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Belize · Canada · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominica · Dominican Republic · El Salvador · France (Guadeloupe · Martinique) · Grenada · Guatemala · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Mexico · Nicaragua · Panama · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Trinidad and Tobago · United States Dependencies Denmark Greenland France St. Barthélemy · St. Martin · St. Pierre and Miquelon · Clipperton Netherlands Aruba · Netherlands Antilles United Kingdom Anguilla · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Montserrat · Turks and Caicos Islands United States Bajo Nuevo Bank · Navassa Island · Puerto Rico · Serranilla Bank · U.S. Virgin Islands v • d • e Countries and territories of the Caribbean   Sovereign states Commonwealth Realms Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas · Barbados · Grenada · Jamaica · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines Commonwealth republics Dominica · Trinidad and Tobago Other republics Cuba · Dominican Republic · Haiti   Dependencies and other areas by parent state United Kingdom Anguilla · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Montserrat · Turks and Caicos Islands Netherlands Aruba · Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire · Curaçao · Saba · Sint Maarten · Sint Eustatius) France Guadeloupe · Martinique · St. Barthélemy · St. Martin United States Navassa Island · Petrel Islands · Puerto Rico · Serranilla Bank · U.S. Virgin Islands   International membership v • d • e Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat (Secretary-General) Nations Members Antigua and Barbuda · Bahamas1 · Barbados · Belize · Dominica · Grenada · Guyana · Haiti1 · Jamaica · Montserrat2 · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Suriname · Trinidad and Tobago Associate members Anguilla · Bermuda · Cayman Islands · British Virgin Islands · Turks and Caicos Islands Observers Aruba · Colombia · Dominican Republic · Mexico · Netherlands Antilles · Puerto Rico · Venezuela Institutions CSME · CDEMA · CMO · CMO · CXC · CCJ · CFC · CEHI · CARDI · REPAHA · ACCP · CARICAD · CFNI · CCC · CRITI · Related organizations Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States 1 Member of the Community but not of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).   2 British overseas territory awaiting entrustment to join the CSME. v • d • e Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Members Antigua and Barbuda · Dominica · Grenada · Montserrat · St. Kitts and Nevis · St. Lucia · St. Vincent and the Grenadines Associate members Anguilla · British Virgin Islands Financial institutions Eastern Caribbean Central Securities Registry · Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange · East Caribbean dollar · Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Other institutions Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court v • d • e British overseas territories and Crown dependencies Overseas territories Anguilla · Bermuda · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · British Virgin Islands · Cayman 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Saint-Paul · Crozet Islands · Kerguelen Islands · Adélie Land Italy Pantelleria · Pelagie Islands (Lampedusa • Lampione • Linosa) Netherlands Aruba · Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire • Curaçao • Saba • Sint Maarten • Sint Eustatius) Norway Bouvet Island · Peter I Island · Queen Maud Land Portugal Azores · Madeira Russia Russian Far East · Khabomai Rocks · Kuril Islands · Kunashir · Ratmanov Island · Sakhalin · Shikotan  · Siberia Spain Canary Islands · Ceuta · Melilla · Plazas de soberanía (Islas Chafarinas • Peñón de Alhucemas • Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera) United Kingdom Anguilla · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Falkland Islands · Montserrat · Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha · Turks and Caicos Islands · British Antarctic Territory · British Indian Ocean Territory · Pitcairn Islands · South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands v • d • e British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations Legend Current territory  ·   Former territory * now a Commonwealth Realm  ·   now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations Europe  18th century 1708–1757  Minorca since 1713  Gibraltar 1763–1782  Minorca 1798–1802  Minorca 19th century 1800–1964  Malta 1801-1921  Ireland 1807–1890  Heligoland 1809–1864  Ionian Islands 20th century 1921-1937  Irish Free State North America  17th century 1607–1776  Virginia 1610–1907  Newfoundland since 1619  Bermuda 1620–1691  Plymouth Colony 1629–1691  Massachusetts Bay Colony 1632–1776  Maryland 1636–1776  Connecticut 1636–1776  Rhode Island 1637–1662  New Haven Colony 1663–1712  Carolina 1664–1776  New York 1665–1674 and 1702-1776  New Jersey 1670–1870  Rupert's Land 1674–1702  East Jersey 1674–1702  West Jersey 1680–1776  New Hampshire 1681–1776  Pennsylvania 1686–1689  Dominion of New England 1691–1776  Massachusetts 18th century 1701–1776  Delaware 1712–1776  North Carolina 1712–1776  South Carolina 1713–1867  Nova Scotia 1733–1776  Georgia 1763–1873  Prince Edward Island 1763–1791  Quebec 1763–1783  East Florida 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