Anguilla Location and Description
Anguilla is situated in the British West Indies, around 150
miles east of Puerto Rico and nine miles north of St Martin.
It is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the
Eastern Caribbean. The name Anguilla means eel, which is
a good description of a long, thin island measuring 16
miles by three miles.
The island has a flat landscape and, since rainfall levels are
low, vegetation is mainly small trees and bush. Its beaches
are considered to be among the best in the Caribbean and its
exclusive resorts and tranquility attract the most discerning
holidaymakers.
Six nearby islands belong to Anguilla: Scrub Island, Sombrero,
Dog Island, Sandy Island, Prickly Pear and Anguilliate.
The Valley is the capital of Anguilla, home to around 600 of
the island's residents and centre of commerce and government.
Anguilla History In A Nutshell
Inhabited from around 2,000BC by an Arawak-speaking Amerindian
people who originated from South America, Anguilla was first
known as Malliouhana, the sea serpent. The British colonised
Anguilla in 1650, but the stay was short lived as, in 1656,
Amerindians from a neighbouring island wiped out their settlement.
For around 150 years, the British and French fought each other
for control of the island, causing huge disruption to its people
and its economy.
In 1825, the British maneuvered Anguilla into a union with St
Kitts-Nevis. This resulted in great resentment among the Anguillans,
who were not dealt a fair hand under the new administration.
Tensions built up over the following 145 years, during which time
the Anguillans battled for direct administration from Britain.
In 1967, the situation came to a head when the islanders forcefully
expelled the police authorities from the island effectively bringing
to an end the formal relationship with the three islands. It took
until 19 December 1980 before Anguilla finally became a British
Dependent Territory.
Getting to Anguilla
Currently, there are no direct international flights to Anguilla.
However, American Airlines offers several daily flights from the
major U.S. gateways into Puerto Rico with connecting service on
American Eagle into Anguilla; Continental Airlines provides service
from Newark into St. Maarten & Antigua; US Airways, Delta and
American also provide service into St. Maarten and a short 20
minute ferry ride will take you from St. Martin into Anguilla. Air
Jamaica offers service into Antigua with connecting service on
Caribbean Star into Anguilla.
A ferry service also operates from Marigot Bay on St Martin to
Blowing Point in Anguilla, a trip which takes approximately 20 minutes.
More Anguilla Facts
Entry Requirements
A valid passport and onward or return ticket are required for entry
in to Anguilla.
A departure tax of US $20 is charged at the airport and US$3 at
the ferry port.
Language
English is the mother tongue.
Currency
The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the official currency,
although US dollars are also accepted. Anguilla is a tax-free
island and there are no foreign exchange restrictions.
Population
Greater than 13,000
Electricity
110 volts AC.
Climate
The island experiences average temperatures of around 80'F,
with the Trade Winds providing a constant warm breeze. With
no high mountains to block the sun's rays and, in the absence
of the type of vegetation which attracts rain clouds, Anguilla
is a sun-worshipper's paradise. The average rainfall measures
35 inches per year, much of it arriving in short cloud bursts.
Accommodation
Predominantly associated with its world-class hotels and luxury
resorts, Anguilla also offers accommodation in guest houses,
self-catering apartments, seaside villas and cottages to suit
a variety of different tastes and budgets. Families, couples
and groups are all welcome.
Cuisine
Caribbean flavours have been combined with those from Europe and
the Americas to create a wide range of dishes. Seafood features
heavily on Anguillan menus, with local crayfish and whole lobster
or grilled Snapper, Swordfish and Mahi Mahi prepared with blackened
garlic or mustard seed sauce among the specialties. Restaurants are
plentiful on the island and there is something to suit every palate.
Getting Around
There are more than sixty miles of roads on Anguilla, the majority
of them with a sealed surface. Car, bike, jeep and taxi hire are
available. Driving is on the left and the speed limit is 30 mph.
The Environment
The Anguilla National Trust was established in 1993 to protect
the island's natural environment and to preserve its archaeological,
historical and cultural resources. Among its current on-going
projects is the rehabilitation of the island's sand dunes, together
with a number of conservation programmes designed to ensure the
protection of Sea Turtles and Iguanas. There are six marine
parks within Anguillan waters.
Beaches
Anguilla is renowned for its unspoiled, tranquil, white-sand
beaches - arguably among the best in the world. There are 33
beaches on this small island, which measures just 35 square
miles. They range from Shoal Bay East with its one-mile stretch
of sand, watersports facilities and restaurants, to the secluded
Captain's Bay which is accessed along a dirt track.
Activities
-
Diving and snorkelling - Anguilla is also known as the 'Wreck
Diving Capital of the Caribbean' since, in addition to the
Spanish galleon the El Buen Consejo, there are nine shipwrecks
in its surrounding waters, which were sunk on purpose specifically
to be enjoyed by scuba divers. The wrecks are home to a wide
variety of corals and marine life including angelfish, barracudas,
margates, sharks, snappers and turtles. The island also features
a double reef system, rich in both soft and hard corals such as
the giant brain, bouquets of gorgonians which reach 15 to 20 feet
and sea fans in a spectacular array of colours. The lack of strong
currents makes Anguilla an ideal location in which to learn to
scuba dive or to snorkel the reefs.
-
Sport fishing - Whole and half-day trips are operated by charter
companies to catch fish such as wahoo, dorado, kingfish, sailfish,
marlin, barracuda and grouper.
-
Cruising - Luxury catamarans and power boats tour around the small
islands off the coast of Anguilla and across to neighbouring
St Martin and St Barthelemy.
-
Water sports - Sailing is one of the most popular pastimes on
Anguilla. In addition to yachts, windsurfers and kayaks are
available for hire and water skiing can also be arranged.
Walking - There are numerous tracks around the island from
the rocky coast line of Windward Point in the north to the
'rain forest' trail at Katouche and the award-winning nature
trail at Cap Juluca.
-
Ornithology - Anguilla boasts more than 100 species of bird
life. Its salt ponds attract many varieties from Herons to
Sandpipers.
-
Tennis
-
Horse riding
-
Cave treks
-
Art gallery hopping
-
Shopping on neighbouring St Martin
Sightseeing
Places of interest include: Natural attractions include:
-
The Old Fort at Sandy Hill
-
Copper Hole (large blow hole)
-
Heritage Collection
-
Pitch Apple Hole (prehistoric cave)
-
Wallblake House Plantation
-
Katouche Valley (natural mini rainforest)
-
The Olde Valley
-
The Pump House & Salt Factory at
-
Sandy Ground
-
The Dolphin Lagoon at Meads Bay
-
Sydney's Antique Museum in George Hill
Weddings:
A special license is required in order to get married
on Anguilla. This takes at least 48 hours to process and
costs US $284 (unless couples have been on the island for
fifteen days before their wedding, when the cost would be
US $40). The couple must provide proof of identity and,
if divorced, must have the original decree. If either
partner is widowed, a death certificate must be provided
for the deceased.
Special Events
Among the major events on the Anguillan calendar are:
-
Anguilla Cultural Festival (February) - events include live
music, sponsored by the National Trust;
-
The Moonsplash Music Festival at Rendezvous Bay (March) - a
showcase of Caribbean and international talent under the
first full moon of March;
-
Anguilla Day (May 30) - commemorating the Anguillan Revolution;
-
Summer Festival (August) - music, dancing, competitions,
fairs and street parades ;
Boat races are held throughout the year - boat racing is
the national sport!
-
Festival Del Mar - (May) yacht regatta, fish tournaments,
beachside fish fry everything to celebrate the sea
-
Tranquility Jazz Festival - a three day homage to Jazz at
historic Sandy Ground
Further information is available by visiting the official
website of the
Anguilla Tourist Board
Anguilla Travel Guide
Caribbean Travel Guide
Central America Travel Guide
South America Travel Guide
