There is an estimated population of 12,000 and a land area of 36 square miles. The Island is a British Dependent Territory with a legal system based upon English Common Law with local modifications. The Island is governed by an Executive Council of Ministers appointed the House of Assembly, the locally elected Parliament. Executive Council is chaired by the British appointed Governor. The British government maintains responsibility for defence and foreign affairs.
Communications are excellent.
Currency is the EC dollar but the US dollar circulates freely and there are no foreign exchange controls. The Companies Act was first introduced in 1994 as the Companies Ordinance. It is a comprehensive piece of legislation based on traditional company law and covering, inter alia, incorporation, corporate capacity, share capital, management of companies, shareholder issues and financial disclosure. It provides for several corporate vehicles including public companies, ordinary private companies, companies limited by guarantee and the registration of foreign companies. The Act duly makes provision for the redomiciliation of companies from other jurisdictions into Anguilla.