CoTW, Anguilla

Anguilla

    If you don't, like I didn't, know much about Anguilla, then be sure you continue reading this; because Anguilla turns out to be one hell of an interesting country!

Anguilla is one of the 14 current British overseas territories. So it's not a surprise that its flag looks a little something like this.

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Anguilla is a Caribbean island located in North America. The main island Anguilla is 25 km long and 5 km wide. However, the overall area of the territory including its collection of cays and small islands is 91 km. Anguilla's capital is The Valley.

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Story Time

Amerindian "Red Indian" tribes emerged from South America 4000 years ago and were the first to settle in the island of Anguilla. Of course they had to give their new home a name, but it wasn't Anguilla then just yet, it was called Malliouhana.

Ooh! Legend has it that the explorer Christopher Columbus sailed by the island and changed its name into Anguilla; because he thought it resembled an eel in its shape.
Anguilla means eel in Italian.

Anyway. Later by 1650, the British, who emerged from Saint Christopher island otherwise known as Saint Kitts, settled into the land and colonized it.
Ever since then Anguilla has remained a British territory with the exception of one year.

Under the treaty of Breda, the French took over Anguilla. But that ended quite quickly when the British restored their territory a year later.

Fun fact, the flag the soldier is holding is  a 17th century French flag. "Because that's when the French took over Anguilla". Pretty cool huh?

The British then brought Africans to work in agriculture in the 17th century. Resulting in having more than a 100 Africans in the island by 1683. Fortunately by 1838, slavery in Anguilla came to an official end. Africans at that point were ancestors to many of the residents in Anguilla, giving the current citizens of the land their African heritage.

Basically, following to the political agreements between the United Kingdom and Anguilla, the island became an "internally self-governing overseas British territory". A mouthful but it is what it is. 

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Things to know about Anguilla

Anguilla's current governor is Christina Scott. She has been the governor since 2013.

According to a 2011 estimate, Anguilla's population is 15,094.

Economy in Anguilla is very dependent on fishing, especially lobsters, salt mining, stock raising, offshore banking, and surely tourism.

The currency used in this island is the East Caribbean Dollar.


The dominant religion in Anguilla is Christianity.

Anguilla's official language is...

*DRUM ROLL!* 

English.

Honestly, if you didn't see that coming flick yourself for not paying attention to the British theme going on here.

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Culture

The beautiful island is known for its mesmerizing nature and most importantly, its dazzling beaches. People from all over the world make it their life's mission to visit Anguilla. How can they not when Shakira mentioned Anguilla's beaches in her song Loca?!
The skyrocketing amount of tourists with their different backgrounds help enrich Anguilla's own culture and make it that much more interesting and charming.

Music

I would recommend the music of a very talented Anguillan musician named Sprocka. Sprocka leads a very interesting style of music, giving it a Caribbean Jazzy feel. He also spreads peaceful and positive messages through his songs. I find that listening to his art is very refreshing and uplifting.

Check Sprocka's music out by visiting this link. http://sprocka.com/#

Festivals

To impress the tourists, the people of Anguilla make sure they always have fun events up their sleeves. There are always music and dance festivals somewhere in Anguilla. Most of these festivals are beside the beach, so everyone could enjoy the breathtaking weather and scenery. So if you're planning on visiting Anguilla, make sure you attend one or two or even twenty of their events!

Food

Anguilla's cuisine is quite similar to the general European cuisine. It shares most of its food with France and Britain. Anguilla's cuisine is also known for its sea food, of course what else would a cuisine of an island be known for?

    My meal of choice was Pigeon Peas and Rice, and Anguilla styled Johnny Cakes. Making this meal was extremely easy. As for its taste, I think it was quite a good meal considering how little time it took me to make it.

Links to where I found the recipes: 

Pigeon Peas and Rice.

Anguilla Style Johnny Cakes.

National Anthem

No country is complete without a national anthem. Listen to the Anguillan anthem below to ensure the completion of your Anguillan cyber experience.

 God Bless Anguilla.

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