Anguilla (2004) | Virgin Islands (2004) | |
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Administrative divisions | none (overseas territory of the UK) | none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas |
Age structure | 0-14 years: 23.8% (male 1,569; female 1,523)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 4,641; female 4,385) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 396; female 494) (2004 est.) |
0-14 years: 23.8% (male 13,116; female 12,770)
15-64 years: 66% (male 33,944; female 37,870) 65 years and over: 10.2% (male 4,855; female 6,220) (2004 est.) |
Agriculture - products | small quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising | fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle |
Airports | 3 (2003 est.) | 2 (2003 est.) |
Airports - with paved runways | total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2004 est.) |
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2004 est.) |
Airports - with unpaved runways | total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.) |
- |
Area | total: 102 sq km
land: 102 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 352 sq km
land: 349 sq km water: 3 sq km |
Area - comparative | about half the size of Washington, DC | twice the size of Washington, DC |
Background | Colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts in 1650, Anguilla was administered by Great Britain until the early 19th century, when the island - against the wishes of the inhabitants - was incorporated into a single British dependency, along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. Several attempts at separation failed. In 1971, two years after a revolt, Anguilla was finally allowed to secede; this arrangement was formally recognized in 1980, with Anguilla becoming a separate British dependency. | During the 17th century, the archipelago was divided into two territorial units, one English and the other Danish. Sugarcane, produced by slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish portion, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. |
Birth rate | 14.45 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 14.49 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Budget | revenues: $22.8 million
expenditures: $22.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2000 est.) |
revenues: $560
expenditures: NA (2003) |
Capital | The Valley | Charlotte Amalie |
Climate | tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds | subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season May to November |
Coastline | 61 km | 188 km |
Constitution | Anguilla Constitutional Order 1 April 1982; amended 1990 | Revised Organic Act of 22 July 1954 |
Country name | conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Anguilla |
conventional long form: United States Virgin Islands
conventional short form: Virgin Islands former: Danish West Indies |
Currency | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) | US dollar (USD) |
Death rate | 5.46 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) | 6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Debt - external | $8.8 million (1998) | NA |
Dependency status | overseas territory of the UK | organized, unincorporated territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the US under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior |
Diplomatic representation from the US | none (overseas territory of the UK) | none (territory of the US) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | none (overseas territory of the UK) | none (territory of the US) |
Disputes - international | none | none |
Economic aid - recipient | $3.5 million (1995) | NA |
Economy - overview | Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry, which has spurred the growth of the construction sector, has contributed to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small, but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. | Tourism is the primary economic activity, accounting for 80% of GDP and employment. The islands normally host 2 million visitors a year. The manufacturing sector consists of petroleum refining, textiles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and watch assembly. The agricultural sector is small, with most food being imported. International business and financial services are a small but growing component of the economy. One of the world's largest petroleum refineries is at Saint Croix. The islands are subject to substantial damage from storms. The government is working to improve fiscal discipline, to support construction projects in the private sector, to expand tourist facilities, to reduce crime, and to protect the environment. |
Electricity - consumption | 42.6 million kWh | 957.9 million kWh (2001) |
Electricity - exports | - | 0 kWh (2001) |
Electricity - imports | - | 0 kWh (2001) |
Electricity - production | NA | 1.03 billion kWh (2001) |
Elevation extremes | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crocus Hill 65 m |
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m |
Environment - current issues | supplies of potable water sometimes cannot meet increasing demand largely because of poor distribution system | lack of natural freshwater resources |
Ethnic groups | black (predominant), mulatto, white | black 78%, white 10%, other 12%
note: West Indian 81% (49% born in the Virgin Islands and 32% born elsewhere in the West Indies), US mainland 13%, Puerto Rican 4%, other 2% |
Exchange rates | East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976) | the US dollar is used |
Executive branch | chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Alan Eden HUCKLE (since 28 May 2004)
head of government: Chief Minister Osbourne FLEMING (since 3 March 2000) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among the elected members of the House of Assembly elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed chief minister by the governor |
chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001)
head of government: Governor Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (since 5 January 1999) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 5 November 2002 (next to be held NA November 2006) election results: Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL reelected governor; percent of vote - Dr. Charles Wesley TURNBULL (Democrat) 50.5%, John de JONGH 24.4% |
Exports | $2.6 million (1999) | NA (2001) |
Exports - commodities | lobster, fish, livestock, salt, concrete blocks, rum | refined petroleum products |
Exports - partners | UK, US, Puerto Rico, Saint-Martin (2000) | US, Puerto Rico |
Fiscal year | 1 April - 31 March | 1 October - 30 September |
Flag description | blue, with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Anguillan coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag; the coat of arms depicts three orange dolphins in an interlocking circular design on a white background with blue wavy water below | white, with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in one talon and three arrows in the other with a superimposed shield of vertical red and white stripes below a blue panel |
GDP | purchasing power parity - $104 million (2001 est.) | purchasing power parity - $2.5 billion (2002 est.) |
GDP - composition by sector | agriculture: 4%
industry: 18% services: 78% (1997 est.) |
agriculture: 1%
industry: 19% services: 80% (2003 est.) |
GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $8,600 (2001 est.) | purchasing power parity - $17,200 (2002 est.) |
GDP - real growth rate | 2.8% (2001 est.) | 2% (2002 est.) |
Geographic coordinates | 18 15 N, 63 10 W | 18 20 N, 64 50 W |
Geography - note | the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles | important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean |
Highways | total: 105 km
paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1997) |
total: 856 km
paved: NA km unpaved: NA km note: the only US possession where driving on the left side of the road is practiced (2000) |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA |
Illicit drugs | transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe | - |
Imports | $80.9 million (1999) | NA (2001) |
Imports - commodities | fuels, foodstuffs, manufactures, chemicals, trucks, textiles | crude oil, foodstuffs, consumer goods, building materials |
Imports - partners | US, Puerto Rico, UK (2000) | US, Puerto Rico |
Independence | none (overseas territory of the UK) | - |
Industrial production growth rate | 3.1% (1997 est.) | NA |
Industries | tourism, boat building, offshore financial services | tourism, petroleum refining, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, textiles, electronics |
Infant mortality rate | total: 21.91 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 28.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) |
total: 8.21 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) |
Inflation rate (consumer prices) | 2.3% | 2.2% (2003) |
International organization participation | Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate), UPU | Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU |
Irrigated land | NA sq km | NA sq km |
Judicial branch | High Court (judge provided by Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court) | US District Court of the Virgin Islands (under Third Circuit jurisdiction); Territorial Court (judges appointed by the governor for 10-year terms) |
Labor force | 6,049 (2001) | 48,900 (2003 est.) |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%, manufacturing 3%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, commerce 36%, services 29% (2000 est.) | agriculture 1%, industry 19%, services 80% (2003 est.) |
Land boundaries | 0 km | 0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (mostly rock with sparse scrub oak, few trees, some commercial salt ponds) (2001) |
arable land: 11.76%
permanent crops: 2.94% other: 85.29% (2001) |
Languages | English (official) | English (official), Spanish, Creole |
Legal system | based on English common law | based on US laws |
Legislative branch | unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats total, 7 elected by direct popular vote, 2 ex officio members, and 2 appointed; members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 3 March 2000 (next to be held NA June 2005) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANA 3, AUM 2, ADP 1, independent 1 |
unicameral Senate (15 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms)
elections: last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November 2004) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 10, ICM 2, independent 3 note: the Virgin Islands elects one non-voting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held 6 November 2002 (next to be held 2 November 2004); results - Donna M. CHRISTIAN-CHRISTENSON (Democrat) reelected |
Life expectancy at birth | total population: 76.9 years
male: 73.99 years female: 79.91 years (2004 est.) |
total population: 78.75 years
male: 74.91 years female: 82.82 years (2004 est.) |
Literacy | definition: age 12 and over can read and write
total population: 95% male: 95% female: 95% (1984 est.) |
definition: NA
total population: NA male: NA female: NA |
Location | Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico | Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico |
Map references | Central America and the Caribbean | Central America and the Caribbean |
Maritime claims | territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Merchant marine | none | none |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of the UK | defense is the responsibility of the US |
National holiday | Anguilla Day, 30 May | Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) |
Nationality | noun: Anguillan(s)
adjective: Anguillan |
noun: Virgin Islander(s)
adjective: Virgin Islander |
Natural hazards | frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) | several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes |
Natural resources | salt, fish, lobster | sun, sand, sea, surf |
Net migration rate | 10.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) | -8.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
Political parties and leaders | Anguilla United Movement or AUM [Hubert HUGHES]; The United Front or UF [Osbourne FLEMING, Victor BANKS], a coalition of the Anguilla Democratic Party or ADP and the Anguilla National Alliance or ANA; Anguilla Patriotic Movement or APM [Quincy GUMBS]; Movement for Grassroots Democracy or MFGD [Joyce KENTISH, John BENJAMIN] | Democratic Party [Arturo WATLINGTON]; Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Usie RICHARDS]; Republican Party [Gary SPRAUVE] |
Political pressure groups and leaders | NA | NA |
Population | 13,008 (July 2004 est.) | 108,775 (July 2004 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA | NA |
Population growth rate | 1.98% (2004 est.) | -0.05% (2004 est.) |
Ports and harbors | Blowing Point, Road Bay | Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Port Alucroix |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 1 (1998) | AM 5, FM 11, shortwave 0 (2002) |
Religions | Anglican 40%, Methodist 33%, Seventh-Day Adventist 7%, Baptist 5%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 12% | Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% |
Sex ratio | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal | 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections |
Telephone system | general assessment: NA
domestic: modern internal telephone system international: country code - 1-264; microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin (Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles) |
general assessment: NA
domestic: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay international: country code - 1-340; submarine cable and satellite communications; satellite earth stations - NA |
Telephones - main lines in use | 6,200 (2002) | 69,400 (2002) |
Telephones - mobile cellular | 1,800 (2002) | 41,000 (2002) |
Television broadcast stations | 1 (1997) | 2 (2002) |
Terrain | flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone | mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little level land |
Total fertility rate | 1.74 children born/woman (2004 est.) | 2.21 children born/woman (2004 est.) |
Unemployment rate | 6.7% (2001) | 9.3% (2003 est.) |