About Anguilla

Anguilla (formerly named ‘Malliouhana’) is a politically stable British Overseas Territory situated in the Eastern Caribbean. Europeans came up with the name because the island is shaped somewhat like an eel – and Anguilla is a scientific name for eels. The territory of Anguilla includes several small uninhabited offshore islets, and coral cays, the largest of which are Dog Island, Prickley Pear Cays, Scrub Island, and Sombrero Island (the location of the island’s lighthouse).

Location

Anguilla is located 18.2º North Latitude and 63º West Longitude. It lies east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands and directly north of Saint Martin. It is easily accessible from several American and European cities.

Economy

Despite being just around 35 square miles in size, Anguilla is home to some of the world’s best beaches featuring white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters, award-winning resorts and restaurants. These features coupled with its location, and its reputation as a friendly and virtually crime free society, has enabled Anguilla to establish itself as a high-end luxury tourist destination of choice. Although tourism is the main economic driver in the Anguilla economy, the economy also depends heavily on financial services. Anguilla is an almost entirely tax-free jurisdiction; there are no taxes on corporations whether resident in Anguilla or not. This sets Anguilla apart from many other zero or low tax jurisdictions that separate their offshore financial sectors—which are often not taxed—while charging tax on local companies. Anguilla's Commercial Online Registration Network (ACORN), which is the oldest online company registration system of its kind, also enables instant and secure electronic incorporation and registration of various corporate vehicles from anywhere in the world 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Legal System

The legal system in Anguilla is based on the English Common Law with local modifications. Although the local legislature and courts are independent from the United Kingdom, Anguilla's final appeals court is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. Anguilla’s judicial system is however administered by the Magistrate's Court, the High Court and the Court of Appeal of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.

Currency

As a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) the official currency of Anguilla is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar, which is a strong stable currency that has been pegged to the United States Dollar since July 1976. The United States Dollar is however widely used and accepted. Anguilla welcomes foreign investors and one of the investment incentives is that there are no currency or exchange controls in Anguilla.