About Anguilla
History
The British were the first non-Amerindians to settle in Anguilla, or Malliouhana, as it was originally called, in 1650. From then until the present day, it has been governed solely by the United Kingdom with various forms and levels of autonomy in local domestic affairs and through numerous constitutional arrangements with other Caribbean countries. Today, following the 1990 Constitution, Anguilla is a British Overseas Territory with full internal governance. This followed years of constitutional debate and development dating back to the 1967-1969 period, known as the “Anguilla Revolution,” during which the island seceded from the Associated State of St. Kitts-Nevis and Anguilla. The United Kingdom is responsible for external affairs and the United Kingdom appoints the Governor, who is responsible locally for the regulation of international financial services, the police force, civil service and general good governance of the jurisdiction.
Location and Transport
Anguilla is located in the Northeastern Caribbean directly east of Puerto Rico and 5 miles north of the French/Dutch island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. Geographically it is situated at 18.2 degrees north and 63 degrees west and is the most northerly of the Leeward Islands.
To reach Anguilla the main regional airline hubs are Puerto Rico, Antigua and Dutch Saint Maarten. Anguilla is also served directly by regional airlines, including the Caribbean Airline – LIAT, which connects the Caribbean flying to twenty-two destinations, and by hourly ferry services from French Saint Martin.
Advantages
As a British Overseas Territory, Anguilla is politically stable with a common law legal system, based on English law, a liberalised telecommunications system and a high-end tourism industry complete with world-renowned hotels, villas and restaurants. A championship 18 hole golf course is currently under construction and is due to be completed by the end of 2005. Anguilla is a truly zero tax jurisdiction, with a highly skilled, though small but growing, professional financial services infrastructure. The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (1US$ = EC$2.71) but the US dollar is widely used. There are no foreign exchange restrictions. Its state of the art online company registration network, known as ACORN, is the centre piece of its financial services industry and along with its reputation as a well regulated jurisdiction, makes Anguilla truly: “Better for Business.” The Government encourages professionals in the financial services industry to set up business in Anguilla.
