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Anguilla (pronounced /?#331;ˈɡwɪlə/ ang-GWIL-ə) is a British overseas
territory in the Caribbean, one of the most northerly of the Leeward Islands
in the Lesser Antilles. It consists of the main island of Anguilla itself,
approximately 26 km (16 miles) long by 5 km (3 miles) wide at its widest
point, together with a number of much smaller islands and cays with no
permanent population. The island's capital is The Valley. The total land
area of the territory is 102 km? (39.4 square miles), with a population of
approximately 13,500 (2006 estimate).
Anguilla is a flat, low-lying island of coral and
limestone in the Caribbean Sea, east of Puerto Rico. The soil is
generally thin and poor, supporting only scrub vegetation.
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 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, or Jamaica
and a very few Nigerians ranging from 7-15.[clarification needed]
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.
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Anguilla flag Square key ring
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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.
The island has produced a number of popular reggae, calypso, soca and
country musicians. Of these, the last is especially characteristic, as
country is not otherwise a part of much Caribbean popular music.
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