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The Caribbean Island Of Anguilla
The island of Anguilla is a British owned territory in the eastern Caribbean. It is located in the northern regions of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. It contains only the island of Anguilla, around 26km (16mi) long by 5 km (3.1mi) wide at its widest area, along with a number of other small islands and cays with no permanent population. The capital city is The Valley. HISTORY
Anguilla was first settled by Amerindian tribes who migrated from South America. The earliest Amerindian artifacts found on Anguilla have been dated to around 1300 BC, and remains of settlements date from 600 AD. The date of European discovery is uncertain: some sources claim that Columbus sighted the island in 1493, while others state that the island was first discovered by the French in 1564 or 1565. The name Anguilla derives from the word for "eel" in any of various Romance languages (modern Spanish: anguilla; French: Anguilla; Italian: Anguilla), probably chosen because of the island's eel-like shape. Anguilla was first colonized by English settlers from Saint Kitts, beginning in 1650.The French temporarily overtook the island in 1666 but under the Treaty of Breda it was returned to English control. Other early arrivals included Europeans from Antigua and Barbados. It is likely that some of these early Europeans brought enslaved Africans with them. Historians confirm that African slaves lived in the region in the early seventeenth century. For example, Africans from Senegal lived in St. Christopher (today St. Kitts) in 1626. By 1672 a slave depot existed on the island of Nevis, serving the Leeward Islands. While the time of African arrival in Anguilla is difficult to place precisely, archive evidence indicates a substantial African presence (at least 100) on the island by 1683.
The island was administered by England, and later the United Kingdom, until the
early nineteenth century when – against the wishes of the inhabitants – it was incorporated into a single British
dependency along with Saint Kitts and Nevis. After two rebellions in 1967 and 1969 and a brief period as a
self-declared independent republic headed by Ronald Webster, British rule was fully restored in July, 1971.
Anguilla became a separate British dependency (now termed a British overseas territory) in 1980. CULTURE The ANT (Anguillian National Trust) started in 1988 but its offices opened in 1993 with the responsibility of preserving the nation’s heritage. The programmes of the Trust encourage Anguillans writers and preserves the heritage of the island, including it cultural heritage. The Taino Indians start the nation’s history, proof of this are the artifacts found around the island telling of life there before the Europeans. As practiced throughout the Caribbean, Holidays are based mostly off the cultures. The most important holidays are of historic as well as cultural importance- in particular the emancipation which is celebrated as a summer festival. British holidays are also celebrated for example the Queens birthday. HEROES The island of Anguilla has six icons these people have contributed a great deal to what the island is now; they have all play their separate rolls in Anguilla’s entertainment. Smitty
Smitty is best known for pioneering the beach bar concept
on Anguilla. He proudly operates Smitty’s Bar and Grill, which is located at Island Harbor. Colville Petty Obe
Johnno
Fitzroy Edwards, or Johnno as he is known across our island, is the owner of Johnno’s Bar and Grill, a lively and casual beach bar at Sandy Ground. Among his many accomplishments, Johnno was instrumental in bringing jazz to our island. Eudoxie Wallace
Things to do in Anguila
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