Anguilla

Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory in the northeastern Caribbean. Its capital is The Valley.

Find Anguilla

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: The Valley
Language guide: Languages spoken & official status
Currency: Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Population: 16,010December 2024 · Anguilla Statistics Department · estimate
Area: 91 km²35.14 square miles
Separate territory: 1980Separation from Saint Kitts and Nevis formalized.

Anguilla in context

North America and its surrounding regions. The dot marks The Valley; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & environment

Landscape

Anguilla is a low limestone island in the northeastern Caribbean, with smaller islands and cays nearby. It has little mountainous relief, and the sea is a constant influence on the landscape. Beaches, rocky shores and shallow coastal waters are prominent features.

Salt ponds and scrub-covered inland ground contrast with the sandy coast. Because the island is narrow and relatively flat, there are no large river valleys or extensive upland catchments. The surrounding reefs and offshore islands extend its geography beyond the main shoreline.

Climate & seasons

The tropical maritime climate is moderated by northeast trade winds. Temperatures remain warm throughout the year, with seasonal changes in rainfall.

Water & coasts

Rainfall is seasonal and fresh water is limited. Coastal habitats include salt ponds, reefs and seagrass areas. Hurricanes and storm waves can rapidly alter beaches and low-lying coastal ground.

Flag

Blue, with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered on the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms shows three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background, with a turquoise-blue field below

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Anguilla Statistics Department · UK National Archives · Anguilla history

Landscapes & nature

Languages

Public and official use

English is the official language and is used in administration, education and formal writing.

Community and regional languages

Anguillian Creole English is part of everyday local speech. Its vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar reflect the island’s Caribbean history, and speakers may shift between more local and more formal forms according to the setting.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

History & status

Anguilla has a long Indigenous history followed by English settlement in 1650. Residents rejected rule through Saint Kitts during the 1967 Anguilla Revolution. Separation was formalized in 1980. Anguilla remains a British Overseas Territory with internal self-government.

1650
English settlement begins
1967
Anguilla breaks with administration from Saint Kitts
1980
Separate British dependency status is formalized

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Anguilla Statistics Department · UK National Archives · Anguilla history

Economy

Main activities

Tourism, accommodation, restaurants and construction are central to the economy. Financial and business services also contribute. The small island depends heavily on imports and is exposed to hurricane damage and changes in visitor demand.

Industry and production

Visitor accommodation, restaurants, construction, fishing and business services support local employment.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Anguilla Statistics Department · UK National Archives · Anguilla history

Population

16,010 · December 2024 · Anguilla Statistics Department · estimate

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Anguilla Statistics Department · UK National Archives · Anguilla history

Government

A British Overseas Territory with an elected House of Assembly and a Premier leading the local government. A Governor represents the British monarch. The UK retains responsibilities including defence and external affairs.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Anguilla Statistics Department · UK National Archives · Anguilla history

Knowledge check

Three questions about Anguilla.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

What is Anguilla’s political status?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile · Anguilla Statistics Department · UK National Archives · Anguilla history

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.