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Anguilla Government Profile

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Country nameconventional long form: none

conventional short form: Anguilla

etymology: the name Anguilla means "eel" in various Romance languages (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French) and likely derives from the island's lengthy shape
Dependency statusoverseas territory of the UK
Government typeparliamentary democracy (House of Assembly); self-governing overseas territory of the UK
Capitalname: The Valley

geographic coordinates: 18 13 N, 63 03 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: name derives from the capital's location between several hills
Administrative divisionsnone (overseas territory of the UK)
Independencenone (overseas territory of the UK)
National holidayAnguilla Day, 30 May (1967)
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest 1 April 1982

amendments: amended 1990, 2012, 2017
Legal systemcommon law based on the English model
Citizenshipsee United Kingdom
Suffrage18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Dileeni DANIEL-SELVARATNAM
(since 18 January 2021)

head of government: Premier Dr. Ellis WEBSTER (since 30 June 2020); note -  starting in 2019, the title of head of government was changed to premier from chief minister of Anguilla

cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor from among elected members of the House of Assembly

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed premier by the governor
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral House of Assembly (11 seats; 7 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 2 appointed by the governor, and 2 ex officio members - the attorney general and deputy governor; members serve five-year terms)

elections: last held on 29 June 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APM 7, AUF 4; composition - NA
Judicial branchhighest courts: the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, though none on Anguilla

judge selection and term of office: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court chief justice appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court; Juvenile Court
Political parties and leadersAnguilla Democratic Party or ADP
Anguilla National Alliance or ANA
Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER]; prior to 2019, it was known as the Anguilla United Movement or AUM
Anguilla United Front or AUF [Victor BANKS] (alliance includes ADP, ANA)
Democracy, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment Party or DOVE [Sutcliffe HODGE]
International organization participationCaricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), OECS, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the USnone (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the USembassy: none (overseas territory of the UK); alternate contact is the US Embassy in Barbados [1] (246) 227-4000
Flag descriptionblue, 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 a turquoise-blue field below; the white in the background represents peace; the blue base symbolizes the surrounding sea, as well as faith, youth, and hope; the three dolphins stand for endurance, unity, and strength
National symbol(s)dolphin
National anthemname: God Bless Anguilla

lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON

note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on September 18, 2021