ANGUILLA
Anguilla means ‘eel’ and the name to the island was given by the Spanish, since the island is shaped like an eel.
Located in the Caribbean, Anguilla is a dependence of the United Kingdom. It is a flat coral island, 8 km (5 mi) north of St Martin in the eastern Caribbean Sea. Despite its small size, the country remains largely undeveloped along most of its coastline.
The country was colonized in 1650 by the English settlers and ever since the island has remained a British dependency.
Most of the people on Anguilla are descendants of the black Africans who were brought to the island in the 18th century as slaves.
The Anguillans appealed to Britain for independent status in the 19th century but the request was refused, and despite protest, the island was joined with St Kitts and Nevis to form a single British colony.
However Anguilla achieved independence from St. Kitts and Nevis in 1980 and the island became its own dependent territory of the United Kingdom.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The country covers a small area of 96 sq. km. lying between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, some five miles north of St. Maarten/St. Martin and one hundred fifty miles east of Puerto Rico, the territory of Anguilla comprises several offshore islets, or cays.
Anguilla is a hot country and it is hot throughout the year, so that visitors will need to travel with light clothing. Since summer months bring higher temperatures and hurricanes, its best to visit the country during its winter months between mid- Dec to mid-April.
CURRENCY AND ECONOMY
The East Caribbean Dollar (XCD) is the currency employed by Anguilla.
Anguilla has few natural resources on land as the land is arid and dry with little forest therefore the economy of Anguilla depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, And remittances from emigrants. The offshore financial sector is small, but growing steadily.
PEOPLE, CULTURE AND LANGUAGES
The population of the country as estimated in 2008 is 14,100.
The Anguillian culture is imbued with signs of its complex history and is a mix of British and African cultures. Legends, stories and celebrations revolving around the early Amerindian settlements, European settlers, and the African slaves imported to work on plantations, are woven into everyday life and passed on through the generations.
The most important such tradition is the Summer Carnival, which takes place in August, celebrates the emancipation of African slaves on Anguilla.
English is the official language, which is spoken by the majority with a strong West Indian inflection.
CAPITAL
Not only The Valley, the capital of Anguilla but it is also the only major city of the country.
HOW TO REACH
Charter planes between Anguilla and neighboring Caribbean islands by Trans Anguilla Airways. However, most of the visitors prefer to fly to St Maarten and then take the boat across to the islands.
Wallblake Airport (AXA) in the capital city, The Valley, is only five minutes away from the city center by taxi.
TOURIST DESTINATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
Anguilla is famous among tourists for its idyllic, white coral beaches, some of which include some of the best beaches are Rendezvous Bay, Shoal Bay, Road Bay, Maundays Bay, Cove Bay, Meads Bay and Crocus Bay.
Visit Wallblake House, a restored plantation house whose foundations date back to 1787 and get a whiff of the island’s history.
Explore the grotto-like rock areas and hidden coves, which are dotted all around the island's 30-odd beaches. Don’t miss out on is the historic landmark The Fountain, which is a huge underground cave at Shoal Bay, with a constant supply of fresh water.
At Sandy Hill discover the ruins of the Dutch Fort, built in the 1700s, famous as the scene of fierce fighting during the second French invasion of Anguilla in 1796, and once at Sandy Hill see the well-preserved Tomb of Governor Richardson (1679-1742).
At Sandy Ground and see the Salt Ponds at Sandy Ground and West End and also visit the Old Salt Mine and Pump-house there.
Visit Sombrero Island, 48km (30 miles) northwest of Anguilla, which has a picturesque lighthouse, a great relaxing solitude and you might also like to visit Sandy Island, 15 minutes from Sandy Ground Harbor.
The sandy cays, such as Scrub, Dog and Prickly Pear Islands, are within reach of Anguilla by powerboat.
Take a day trip to nearby St Maarten and St Barthelémy by ferry, cruise boat or aero plane, to explore some more of the Caribbean.
There are scores of deliberately sunken wrecks and award-winning underwater parks that attract schools of fish by diving in one of the seven marine parks in the country: Prickly Pear, Little Bay, Shoal Bay Harbour Reef System; Stoney Bay, Dog Island, Seal Island Reef System and Sandy Island.
At Anguilla's annual music festival, Moonsplash, under a luminous full moon, lose yourself in the traditional reggae music and cocktails.
The variety of water sports offered by this small country is second to none in the world: parasailing, windsurfing and waterskiing, easily organized through Shoal Bay or individual hotels.
There are some things you can do in Anguilla which you may never have done before: penetrate Anguilla's waters and swim with friendly dolphins or go shore- or deep-sea fishing and discover an abundance of marlin, tuna, swordfish and Wahoo.
At Anguilla's annual summer festival of fun, and expect to experience everything from calypso and pageants to street jams, fireworks and boat races (Anguilla's national sport).
Every Tuesday and Thursday, there is a historic tour of The Valley that one can take.
For a bite of culture stroll through any of Anguilla's 15 galleries and studios and you can even consider buying a water-color for a permanent reminder of your holiday.
Pamper yourself in one of Anguilla’s attractively priced spas.
Food and drink
Anguilla boasts an exciting array of gourmet, gastronomic dining experiences; from Continental to US and Anguillan dishes including seafood includes lobster, conch and a variety of fish, are offered by the restaurants.
The national delicacies include:
-A traditional breakfast dish consisting of Salt fish, usually served shredded and tossed with finely chopped onions, sweet peppers, some oil and a bit of hot pepper.
- On special occasions you will be served spiny lobster bisque.
- Instead of dinner rolls you will find Johnny cakes, which taste somewhere between bread and cake.
- A sweet and sour treat consists of Tamarind balls.
- Another popular side dish would be Pigeon peas and rice.
And all this can be washed down with Mawby (a soft drink made from tree bark) is popular in bars.
Nightlife
Hotels and small local bars offer live music and several restaurants and dance bars at Sandy Ground are the 'hotspots' on Fridays and Saturdays and the touristier Shoal Bay East on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Shopping
Get your souvenirs including shells and small models of the islands archipelago, at the Arts and Crafts Centre? Resort clothing and accessories, swimwear can be got at small boutiques. At a gift shop there are international name brands in bone china, crystal and jewelry.
HOW TO GET AROUND
The country has a very basic but good network of roads with the main road being asphalt and stretching throughout the 25km (16 miles) length of Anguilla. The airport and seaports are serviced by taxis with fixed prices to the various hotels and even island tours can be arranged on an individual basis. Alternatively for some more adventure, you can even hire mopeds and bicycles.
Numerous car hire agencies, both local and international are available too.
WHERE TO STAY
There is a wide range of hotel types in the country, ranging from small, boutique properties and beachside cabins to luxury 5-star resorts. Most of the accommodation is around Shoal Bay with a few cheaper hotels in the Sandy Ground area, form where St Maarten is only a 15 minute boat ride away.
Numerous small inns, guest houses and guest houses are available at cheap rates and additionally there are Villas, houses, apartments and cottages with self catering facilities.
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