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Anguilla

 

Contents

Flags

Historical Flags

Meaning/Origin of the Flag

Coat of Arms

Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

Map

Numbers and Facts

History

Origin of the Country's Name



Flags

The flag of the United Kingdom (Great Britain), the Union Jack, a combination of the flags of England, Scotland and Ireland
since 1801,
Union Flag → quasi national flag,
Flag of United Kingdom,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)




The flag of Anguilla, as national and state flag, a Blue Ensign with the British Union Jack in the canton and the national badge with three dolphins in the fly end
since 1999,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World, Corel Draw 4




The flag of Anguilla, as the civil ensign or merchant flag, a British Red Ensign with the Union Jack in the canton
since 1864,
Merchant flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of all Nations




The flag of the Governor of Anguilla, a British Union Jack with the national badge of Anguilla in a laurel wreath at the centre
since 1988,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Quelle, nach: Flags of the World



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Historical Flags

The flag of the government (state flag) of St. Kitts/Nevis & Anguilla, a Blue Ensign with the British Union Jack in the canton and the national badge in the fly end
1958–1967, St. Kitts/Nevis & Anguilla,
Flag of the government (state flag),
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




national and state flag of St Kitts/Nevis & Anguilla, featuring three vertical stripes in green, yellow and blue with a black palm tree in the central yellow stripe
1967, St. Kitts/Nevis & Anguilla,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




National and state flag of Anguilla, a white field with a narrow horizontal azure-blue stripe at the bottom and three orange dolphins in the centre
1967–1980,
National and state flag,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World, Corel Draw 4



Flagge Fahne flag National flag Anguilla
1967–1990,
Flag of the government (state flag),
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World, Corel Draw 4




The flag of the United Kingdom (Great Britain), the Union Jack, a combination of the flags of England, Scotland and Ireland
1980–1990,
Flag of United Kingdom,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Wikipedia (EN)




Government flag of Anguilla, a Blue Ensign with the British Union Jack in the canton and the national badge in the fly
1990–1999,
Flag of the government (state flag),
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: World Statesmen




The flag of the Governor of Anguilla, a British Union Jack with the national badge of Anguilla in a laurel wreath at the centre
1990–1999,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Quelle, nach: Flags of the World




Leeward Islands (1833–1958):

Government flag of the Leeward Islands, a Blue Ensign with the British Union Jack in the canton and the territorial badge in the fly
1871–1958,
Flag of the government (state flag),
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Governor’s flag of the Leeward Islands, the British Union Jack bearing the territorial badge of the Leeward Islands within a laurel wreath at the centre
1874–1959,
Flag of the Governor,
ratio = 1:2,
Quelle, nach: Wikipedia (EN)




Federation of the West Indies (1958–1962):

Flag of the West Indies Federation, an azure-blue field with two pairs of opposing white wavy lines and an orange disc at the centre
Flag of the Federation of the West Indies,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World




Flag of the Governor-General of the West Indies Federation, a royal blue field bearing the British Crown and the Royal Crest (crowned lion) at the centre with a scroll showing the country’s name below
Flag of the Governor General,
ratio = 1:2,
Source, by: Flags of the World



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Meaning/Origin of the Flag

Anguilla had been an English possession since 1650, and a British colony since 1801, so that the flag of United Kingdom had flown over the island since that year. On land, and until 1864 also at sea, individuals, citizens and also the authorities represented their status as citizens or bodies of the United Kingdom by using the Union Jack, known as the "Union Flag". This means that on land, the Union Flag is the national and state flag.

On land, the "Blue Ensign" (actually the state flag at sea) with the country's badge/coat of arms may also be used as the national flag for decorative purposes if the governor has authorised this, for a limited period of time, e.g. at an event (including outside the country) or for differentiation purposes if the use of the Union Flag would be inappropriate or likely to cause confusion. On land, however, the aspect ratio of the flag should be 3:5. A "Blue Ensign" is a dark blue baunting with a representation of a flag – the British Union Jack – in the upper corner and the country's badge in the flying end of the flag. The Union Jack emphasises the links with United Kingdom.

United Kingdom introduced a flag system in 1864 in which:
• war ships fly the "White Ensign" (naval flag), a white flag often with an uninterrupted red St. George's-Cross and with the Union Jack in the upper staff quadrant of the flag,
• merchant ships fly a "Red Ensign" (also named "Civil Ensign" → civil flag, the real merchant flag), a red flag with the Union Jack in the upper staff quadrant of the flag, and
• governmental ships fly the "Blue Ensign" (flag for the use by the gouvernment → the actual state flag), a blue flag with the Union Jack in the upper staff quadrant of the flag.

From 1865, the ships of the colonial governments were allowed to use a Blue Ensign with a badge at the flying end. The respective governments were to provide appropriate badges. Merchant ships and seafaring privateers from colonies were only allowed to use a Red Ensign with a badge if the British Admiralty had issued a corresponding licence for that colony.

Such a badge was often a regional landscape depiction on a disc, often showed ships, historical events or could simply be a kind of logo. Very often a badge also contained the name of the country or a motto. However, some possessions had a coat of arms from the beginning or were given their own coat of arms over the years and the badge was abolished. To ensure a largely uniform appearance in the flying end of the flags, coats of arms and other symbols were displayed on a white disc in the size of the former badges.

However, there were also exceptions, as some colonies dispensed with this white disc and placed their coat of arms or even just the shield – sometimes enlarged – directly on the bunting. As early as the 1940s, the white disc was removed and the coat of arms was applied directly or enlarged. This conversion process took place gradually, nowhere simultaneously and completely. In some British possessions flags with the white disc are still in use today, in others no longer and in some areas both variants exist side by side.

From 1832 to 1958, the area was – from 1882 together with St. Kitts and Nevis – part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands, a federal colony consisting of individual sub-areas, sub-colonies or islands. These individual colonies had their own flags, also called "Blue Ensigns" with their own badge, for use by the governments of these colonies. The overarching political entity of the British Leeward Islands also had its own Blue Ensign with its own Leeward Islands badge. This badge was created in 1871 and showed a pineapple on a coastline with two ships. The governor also used it on his flag. He was represented locally, in the associated sub-territory, sub-colony or island, by an administrator.

The federal colony ceased to exist when it was incorporated into the Federation of the West Indies, led by a Governor-General. Locally, in the associated sub-territory, sub-colony or island, the highest representative of the Crown retained his rank. He remained an administrator or even governor. The local flags (e.g. blue or red ensigns, i.e. separate state or merchant flags) have been retained.

From 1958 to 1962 the territory was also – together with St. Kitts and Nevis – part of the British colony "Federation of the West Indies". This political project was an attempt to unify the administration and to create a state modelled on Canada, but also to counteract the independence efforts of the associated islands and colonies. However, jealousies arose between the large and small islands and even led to open dispute. The flag of the "Federation of the West Indies" was a light blue flag with four horizontal white wavy lines and a golden disc in the middle. It symbolized the sun over the Caribbean Sea. There is some doubt about the color of the blue; it is often assumed to be the usual British heraldry blue. However, a contemporary description calls it an "imperial blue" which would be light blue and many contemporary prints also show this light blue.

The history of Anguilla and also the flags used in the past were closely linked to St. Kitts and Nevis, starting as early as 1816. United Kingdom granted St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla internal self-government (autonomy as a state associated with United Kingdom) in 1967. In Anguilla, the idea of secession immediately came to life, which was consistently implemented and Anguilla separated from St. Kitts and Nevis just in 1967. A flag with three dolphins, modified from the image on the escutcheon, played a major role in this. The self-government that was granted led to chaos, so that the island had to be placed under British administration again in 1971. It was not until 1980 that the only de jure connection with St. Kitts and Nevis officially ended.

Anguilla already had its own badge during its time together with St. Kitts and Nevis. It showed a native with his boat on the coast. Probably in 1958, a common heraldic shield was created for St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla that combined the symbolism of the individual islands. It showed Columbus with a telescope on board a ship (St. Kitts), three virgins at a spring (Nevis) and a native with his boat on a coast (Anguilla). Also in 1958, an own "Blue Ensign" was introduced for St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla as the state flag at sea, a dark blue bunting with a flag depiction – the British Union Jack – in the upper corner, which showed the shield on a white disc in the flying end of the flag.

On 27th of February in 1967, St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla were granted internal self-government by United Kingdom, and the country became an autonomous state associated with United Kingdom. In this context, a new flag was introduced. This flag showed three vertical stripes in green, yellow and blue, and in the centre of the yellow stripe a black palm tree with three branches (St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla).

In the same year, Anguilla separated from St. Kitts, Nevis and introduced the dolphin flag. Its design repeats the image of the shield introduced in 1980: three orange dolphins combined in a circle on white over a narrow light blue field. The three dolphins symbolise friendship, knowledge and strength. The circle of dolphins represents continuity and the light blue field symbolises the sea. It was not until 1990 that an own "Blue Ensign" was introduced for Anguilla as the state flag at sea, showing the heraldic shield in the flying end of the flag, which on the flag was modified and enlarged again in 1999.

The colours and Colour shades of the country’s flags correspond, in whole or in part depending on the specific design, to the specifications set out in the regulation 'BR 20 Flags of all Nations D/DCTA/114/04/QPS Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom', with the following Pantone colour codes: Azure Blue pt 549 c, Intermediate Blue pt 300 c, Royal Blue pt 280 c, Navy Blue pt 282 c, Crimson pt 201 c, Green pt 364 c, Red pt 186 c, Yellow pt Y C, Deep Yellow pt 116 c, Orange pt 165 c, Tartan Green pt 357 c, Red Brown pt 477 c, Dark Green pt 350 c, Heraldic Blue pt 386 c, Grey pt 409 c.

Source: Flags of the World, Die Welt der Flaggen, Flaggen Enzyklopädie, Flags of all Nations, Volker Preuß

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Coat of Arms

Badge of the British colony of Anguilla
to 1958,
Badge (Emblem) of Anguilla,
Source, by: Flags of the World


Badge of the British colony of Saint Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla
1958–1967,
Saint Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla,
Badge (Emblem) of Saint Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla,
Source, by: Flags of the World


Coat of arms of the British colony of Anguilla
since 1980,
Coat of arms of Anguilla,
Source, by: World Statesmen

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Meaning/Origin of the Coat of Arms

Anguilla already had its own badge during its time together with St Kitts and Nevis. It showed a native with his boat on the coast. Probably in 1958, a common shield was created for St Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla, which combined the symbolism of the individual islands. It showed Columbus with a telescope on board a ship (St Kitts), three virgins at a spring (Nevis) and a native with his boat on a coast (Anguilla). A coat of arms was introduced in 1980. It shows three orange-coloured dolphins combined in a circle on white above a narrow light blue field. The three dolphins symbolise friendship, knowledge and strength. The dolphin circle represents continuity and the light blue field symbolises the sea.

Source: Wikipedia (D), Flaggen Enzyklopädie

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Map

Location:

Source: CIA World Factbook

Map of the country:

Source: CIA World Factbook

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Numbers and Facts

Area: 37 square miles

Inhabitants: 13.600 (2011), thereof 85.3% African/Black, 4.9% Hispanic, 3.8% mixed, 3.2% White

Religions: 73% Protestant, 7% Roman Catholic, 11% other Christian, 4% Non-Religious

Density of Population: 367 inh./sq.mi.

Capital: The Valley, 1.300 inh. (2011)

official Language: English

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD, EC-$) = 100 Cents

Time Zone: GMT – 4 h

Source: Wikipedia (D), CIA World Factbook

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History

1493 · the Spanish seafarer Christoph Columbus discovers the island and names it Isla de Anguila, the island becomes a Spanish possession but was not colonized

1650 · appropriation of Anguilla by England

1696–1816 · part of the British Leeward Islands Colony

1745 · repulse of a French invasion

1796 · repulse of a French invasion

1816 · the Leeward Islands Colony becomes dissolved, St. Kitts becomes fused with Anguilla, Nevis and the Virgin Islands

1833 · re-estbalishment of the Leeward Islands Colony, to 1960 part of the British Leeward Islands

1882 · the British possessions of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla become fused within the Leeward Islands Colony (Colony of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla)

1958–1962 · part of the British colony "Federation of the West Indies"

27th of February 1967 · United Kingdom grants St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla interior self administration (autonomy as with Great Britain associated state)

1967–1969 · demands for independence on Anguilla

1971 · Anguilla becomes subordinated under the British administration again

1980 · Anguilla becomes separated from St. Kitts/Nevis and becomes a self-contained colony

1982 · Anguilla Constitution Order, the legal basis for modern self-government, revised in 2019 and 2020

1984 · Change of government, economic liberalisation

Source: Atlas zur Geschichte, Wikipedia (D), World Statesmen

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Origin of the Country's Name

As columbus in 1493 discovered island he named it "Isla de Anguila" (Eel Island). Possibly he spoted eels here, which visited their spawn places.

Source: Handbuch der geographischen Namen

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