common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952) is a
hereditary monarch; represented by Governor Alan HOOLE (since 1
November 1995)
head of government: Chief Minister Hubert HUGHES (since 16 March
1994) was appointed by the governor from members of the House of
Assembly
cabinet: Executive Council was appointed by the governor from among
the elected members of the House of Assembly
Legislative branch: unicameral
House of Assembly: elections last held 16 March 1994 (next to be
held March 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (11
total, 7 elected) ANA 2, AUP 2, ADP 2, independent 1
Judicial branch: High Court, judge provided by Eastern Caribbean
Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Anguilla National Alliance (ANA),
David CARFY; Anguilla United Party (AUP), Hubert HUGHES; Anguilla
Democratic Party (ADP), Victor BANKS
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CDB,
Interpol (subbureau), OECS (associate)
Diplomatic representation in US: none (dependent territory of the
UK)
US diplomatic representation: none (dependent territory of the UK)
Flag: 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
Economy———
Economic overview: Anguilla has few natural resources, and the economy depends heavily on tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Output growth has averaged about 7% in recent years, mainly as a result of boom in tourism thanks to economic expansion in North America and the UK. The economy, and especially the tourism sector, suffered a setback in late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September. Agricultural output had only just begun to recover from a drought in 1994 when Luis hit. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financing sector. A comprehensive package of financial services legislation was enacted in late 1994. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend on the tourism sector and, therefore, on continuing income growth in the industrialized nations.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $53 million (1994 est.)
GDP real growth rate: 6.5% (1994 est.)
GDP per capita: $7,600 (1994 est.)
GDP composition by sector: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (1994)
Labor force: 4,400 (1992) by occupation: commerce 36%, services 29%, construction 18%, transportation and utilities 10%, manufacturing 3%, agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining 4%
Unemployment rate: 7% (1992 est.)
Budget:
revenues: $13.5 million (1993)
expenditures: $17.6 million, including capital expenditures of
$740,000 (1995 est.)
Industries: tourism, boat building, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: NA%
Electricity: capacity: 2,000 kW production: 6 million kWh consumption per capita: 862 kWh (1992)
Agriculture: pigeon peas, corn, sweet potatoes; sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, poultry; fishing (including lobster)
Exports: $556,000 (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: lobster and salt
partners: NA
Imports: $33.5 million (f.o.b., 1992)
commodities: NA
partners: NA
External debt: $NA
Economic aid: $NA
Currency: 1 EC dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.70 (fixed rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Transportation———————
Railways: 0 km
Highways: total: 105 km paved: 65 km unpaved: 40 km (1992 est.)
Ports: Blowing Point, Road Bay
Merchant marine: none
Airports:
total: 2
with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 1
with paved runways under 914 m: 1 (1995 est.)
Communications———————
Telephones: 890
Telephone system:
domestic: modern internal telephone system
international: microwave radio relay to island of Saint Martin
(Guadeloupe and Netherlands Antilles)
Radio broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 1, shortwave 0
Radios: 2,000 (1992 est.)
Television broadcast stations: 0
Televisions: NA
Defense———
Defense note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
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@Antarctica—————
Map—
Location: 90 00 S, 0 00 E—continent mostly south of the
Antarctic Circle
Geography————
Location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E
Map references: Antarctic Region
Area:
total area: 14 million sq km (est.)
land area: 14 million sq km (est.)
comparative area: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
note: second-smallest continent (after Australia)
Land boundaries: 0 km
note: see entry on International disputes
Coastline: 17,968 km
Maritime claims: none, but see entry on International disputes
International disputes: Antarctic Treaty defers claims (see Antarctic Treaty Summary below); sections (some overlapping) claimed by Argentina, Australia, Chile, France (Adelie Land), New Zealand (Ross Dependency), Norway (Queen Maud Land), and UK; the US and most other nations do not recognize the territorial claims of other nations and have made no claims themselves (the US reserves the right to do so); no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west
Climate: severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur