- Population:
- 18,403
- Religion:
- Christianity
Anguilla a British Overseas Territory in the Eastern Caribbean comprises a small main island and several offshore islets. Its beaches range from long sandy stretches like Rendezvous Bay overlooking neighboring Saint Martin island to secluded coves reached by boat such as at Little Bay. Protected areas include Big Spring Cave known for its prehistoric petroglyphs and East End Pond a wildlife conservation site.
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.
