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Islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico. Equivalent in size to 10 by 10 kilometers, or roughly 6.3 by 6.3 miles. Capital: The Valley.
This island in the Caribbean Sea, 102 square kilometers and a population of 1,308 in July 2004, had been ruled by the British from 1650 to 1980, .when it became a British dependency - an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Originally the British called it Saint Kitts.
It's chief of state is Queen Elizabeth II who is represented in Anguilla by Governor Alan Eden Huncle. Local rule includes a House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, with two ex-officio members, and two members appointed, serving five-year terms. At the top of local government is the Chief Minister, elected by popular vote. The United Nations Committee on Decolonization lists Anguilla as one of the 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories of the world since 1945
Figures unless otherwise stated are from the CIA Factbook.
Estimated per capita GDP:
2004 $8,800
2002 $7,500
2001 $8,600
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, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Boasts the best beaches in the world and a tropical vacation for less.
Dry climate and thin soil hamper commercial agricultural development. No arable land.
For 2007, deaths 5.34, births: 13.97, down from 14.26 in 2005
Estimated for July 2007: 13,677, up from 13,254 in 2005. Density estimated for 2005: 130 per square kilometer, about twice that of French Polynesia.
More arriving than leaving. A net gain of 8.83 per 1,000 population (117 people).
Infant mortality: 19.61, down from 21.03 in 2005 (deaths before the age of one year, per 1,000 live births).
Average life expectancy at birth estimated for 2007: 77.46 years.
SOURCES:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
Copyright © 2008 by Frank E. Smitha. All rights reserved.