Anguilla Past and Present

Anguilla's past has impacted in the island's present economy and culture

A Tick in Time

The history of Anguilla strays away from the beaten track of other islands in the Caribbean. On the other hand, Anguilla does share some similarities with its neighbors. The roots of Anguilla's heritage begin with the Amerindians who came to the island long before Europeans claimed the land in the name of their home countries.

English settlers came to Anguilla around 1650 and began establishing colonies on the island. British explorers attempted to cultivate cash crops and large plantations to gain money and power from the land. Anguilla did not turn out to be as profitable a settlement as the explorers had hoped. Due to the island's thin soil, arid climate, and unpredictable rainfall, growing large amounts of major cash crops was very difficult. This made establishing the massive plantations that were so popular in the rest of the Caribbean virtually impossible. African slaves were brought to the island, but since there were no plantations to be farmed, many of the English settlers left in search of more profitable ventures elsewhere in the region.

The black slaves were left on the island, and some bought land from their former masters. Thus, some blacks enjoyed the freedom of making a living for themselves even before the British officially emancipated them. The mixture of African and European heritage on Anguilla has created a unique and rich culture.

The culture on Anguilla is filled with interesting facets, including the islanders' past and present religious practices, their holidays and celebrations, and their efforts to preserve their heritage and history. Many annual events and celebrations on Anguilla recognize important elements in the island's history, such as sailboat racing, which is Anguilla's national sport. Holidays such as the celebration of the Queen's Birthday are evidence of Britain's influence on the island.

Today, Anguilla is an island of peace and tranquility. But it has not always been so. The political structure of Anguilla has weathered various conflicts. The island's economy began with independent islanders taking up seafaring jobs to provide for themselves, and moved to an economy that relies on revenue from the tourism industry. Other industries, such as agriculture, also create jobs on the island.

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