Anguilla

**Anguilla** is a group of five islands in the Caribbean Sea.  The islands are ruled by the United Kingdom.

Anguilla was colonized by the British Empire and used to be part of what is now Saint Kitts and Nevis, but broke away in 1980 so it could stay part of Great Britain. Saint Kitts and Nevis wanted to be independent.

It is named after the Spanish word for "eel", because it has such a shape.

Anguilla was first settled by Arawakan-speaking Indians who called it Malliouhana.

## Politics

The King or Queen of the United Kingdom is the ruler of Anguilla, but she works through a governor.  He or she names, or _appoints_ the governor, and he is just working there in place of the monarch.  The legislature is elected by the people, has 11 members, and is called the House of Assembly.

## Economy

Anguilla has mostly been part of the British Empire since the 17th century. The British brought thousands of slaves from Africa and forced them to work, like they did all over the Caribbean and North America. Many of the slaves decided to run away rather than be forced to work. When the British decided to abolish slavery they paid all the slave owners a lot of money, but didn't give anything to the slaves. Now Anguilla gets most of its money from fishing and tourism.

## Culture

Most people in Anguilla are Protestants, and speak English.

## Infobox (country)

- **conventional long name**: Anguilla
- **common name**: Anguilla
- **image flag**: Flag of Anguilla.svg
- **image coat**: Coat of Arms of Anguilla.svg
- **symbol width**: 60px
- **symbol type**: Coat of arms of Anguilla, Coat of arms
- **national motto**: "Unity, Strength and Endurance"
- **image map**: Anguilla in United Kingdom.svg
- **image map2**: Anguilla - Location Map (2013) - AIA - UNOCHA.svg
- **map2 width**: 250px
- **capital**: The Valley, Anguilla, The Valley
- **largest city**: capital
- **official languages**: English
- **demonym**: Anguillian
- **government type**: Parliamentary system, Parliamentary Dependent territory, dependency under a constitutional monarchy
- **leader title1**: Monarchy of the United Kingdom, Monarch
- **leader name1**: Charles III
- **leader title2**: Governor of Anguilla, Governor
- **leader name2**: Tim Foy
- **leader title3**: Deputy Governor
- **leader name3**: Perin A. Bradley
- **leader title4**: Chief Minister of Anguilla, Chief Minister
- **leader name4**: Victor Banks
- **leader title5**: Responsible Minister<sup>b</sup> (UK government, UK)
- **legislature**: Anguilla House of Assembly, House of Assembly
- **established event1**: British overseas territory, Overseas territory
- **established date1**: 1980
- **area km2**: 91
- **percent water**: negligible
- **population census**: 13,452
- **population census year**: 2011
- **population density km2**: 132
- **population density sq mi**: 342
- **population density rank**: n/a
- **gdp ppp**: $311 million
- **gdp ppp year**: 2014
- **gdp ppp per capita**: $29,493.3
- **religion**: 90.3 % Christian
 9.7 % Others
- **currency**: East Caribbean dollar
- **currency code**: XCD
- **utc offset**: -4
- **drives on**: Right- and left-hand traffic, left
- **calling code**: +1-264
- **cctld**: .ai
- **footnote b**: For the British Overseas Territories, Overseas Territories.

Postcodes in the United Kingdom#Overseas territories, UK Postcode: AI-2640