Anguilla

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.
Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico Area: Total: 91 sq km. Area - comparative: About half the size of Washington, DC Coastline: 61 km.
Climate and Terrain: Tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds. Flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone. Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m, highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m. Natural resources: Salt, fish, lobster. Land use: Arable land: 0%, forests and woodland: 0%, other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds).
People: Population: 12,132. Ethnic groups: Black. Religions: Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12%. Languages: English.
Government: Overseas territory of the UK. Capital: The Valley.
Economy overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. 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. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector. A comprehensive package of financial services legislation was enacted in late 1994. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend on the tourism sector and, therefore, on continuing income growth in the industrialized nations as well as favorable weather conditions. Labor force - by occupation: Commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%. Industries: Tourism, boat building, offshore financial services. Agriculture - products: Small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 5,000. Radio broadcast stations: AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1. Radios: 3,000. Television broadcast stations: 1. Televisions: 1,000. Internet users: 919. Railways: 0 km. Airports - paved runways: 1, unpaved runways: 2.