Anguilla guide
Beachy Paradise
Imagine a long, slender coral island lying lazily in the eastern Caribbean, with more than thirty superlative beaches fringing its shores. Then visualize the vibrant marine life in its coral reefs waiting to be explored. That's Anguilla. Best of all, you can still have some of those beaches virtually to yourself, despite the increasing numbers of tourists discovering this sleepy isle.
The population of 9,000 is descended mostly from Africans, although more and more North Americans and Europeans are joining them for an interesting cultural mosaic. Traditionally the islanders have lived from salt production, lobster fishing, agriculture and livestock-raising. Tourism is now the major source of employment and foreign exchange.
Boat races are frequently held. The craft are a special wooden sloop made locally. The most noteworthy races, enlivened by non-stop parties, take place during Carnival Week in August.
The low-lying coral island is covered with scrub vegetation. Rainfall is scant, to the regret of farmers but the delight of tourists. It's a friendly, quiet place, and one of the safest in the Caribbean. While there is no lack of nightlife, you may well prefer to go to bed early and get up with the dawn to swim with the iridescent fish of the reef or sunbathe on the white sands. Yours may be the only footprints.
