🇦🇮 Anguilla

Territory and Sovereignty

Basic Information

About Anguilla

Anguilla's history begins with its earliest inhabitants, Indigenous peoples migrating from South America centuries ago. The island received its name from the Italian word for 'eel,' referencing its elongated shape, and was once known as Snake Island. European settlement began in the 17th century, with the island falling under British control and administration alongside other Leeward Islands. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Anguilla experienced periods of colonial administration and sought greater autonomy, ultimately achieving its current status as a British Overseas Territory. Today, Anguilla maintains a strong connection to the United Kingdom while governing itself internally.