TRAVEL: by Eric Mackenzie Lamb
Anguilla is a British overseas territory and is the northernmost of the lesser Antilles , situated about 12 miles north of the shoreline of French St Martin and 60 miles north of St Kitts.
The principal town and administrative center is known for its easygoing atmosphere and magnificent beaches. Anguilla has become a popular tourist destination. The island is mostly bare and flat and is fringed by white sand beaches. It is 16 miles long and a maximum of 3.5 miles wide. Its long thin shape gave the island its name, Anguilla (which in French means eel). The territory includes several small uninhabited offshore islands, the largest of which are Dog Island, Scrub, Sombrero Island, and the Prickly Pear cays.
Anguilla was formed from coral and limestone, The land is mostly flat but undulating. The highest point, Cross Hill, has an elevation of 210 feet. The northern coast is characterized by short slopes and steep cliffs; the southern coast has a longer and more gradual slope which drops gently to the sea. The soil layer is thin but there are small pockets of red loam, mainly in the shallow valleys which are called bottoms. As with most coral islands, water is scarce. The island has no rivers but there are several saltwater ponds, mostly near the coast, that supplied Anguilla’s salt industry until its collapse in the 1980s.
The climate is tropical. Hurricanes can occur from June to November and are sometimes highly destructive, such as those of 1995 and 1999. The storms have greatly contributed to the erosion of the island’s beaches. The island’s vegetation consists primarily of small trees and low scrub inland, along with sea grapes. Along the coast, there may also be plantations of fruit trees.
Wildlife in Anguilla includes land reptiles, sea turtles, lobsters and goats, the latter of which are ubiquitous. There are many bird species, including the national bird, the turtledove. The island is also a popular stop for migratory birds.
As for humans, the majority of the population is of African descent. English is the official language. Most of the population is Christian, and the main religious denominations are Anglican and Methodist. The island has experienced steady population growth, and Anguillans live relatively long lives.
The island also has its own airline, Trans Anguilla Airways, which makes it easy for visitors to get there from almost anywhere in the surrounding area. There’s now also a Four Seasons resort, a famous five star luxury resort where tourists can stay.
Anguilla was settled by the Arawak Indian tribe from South America. They were later evicted by the Carib tribe, who were cannibals.
Below are images of some of Anguilla’s unusual sights.
