English settlers from Saint Kitts first colonized Anguilla in 1650. Great Britain administered the island until the early 19th century, when -- against the wishes of the inhabitants -- Anguilla 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, when Anguilla became a separate British dependency. In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused extensive damage on the island, particularly to communications and residential and business infrastructure.
Area: 91 km2
Climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
Natural resources: salt, fish, lobster
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.)note: data represent population by ethnic origin
Languages: English (official)
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%, Presbyterian 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.)
Capital: The Valley
Government type: parliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor Julia CROUCH (since 11 September 2023)
Head of government: Premier Cora RICHARDSON-HODGE (since 27 February 2025)cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assemblyelections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor
Description: legislature name: House of Assemblylegislative structure: unicameralnumber of seats: 11 (7 directly elected, 2 appointed, 2 ex-officio members)electoral system: plurality/majorityscope of elections: full renewalterm in office: 5 yearsmost recent election date: 6/29/2020parties elected and seats per party: APM (7); AUF (4)percentage of women in chamber: 27.3%
Information derived by "The World Factbook 2021. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2021. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/"