Anguilla, British territory in Caribbean Sea.
Anguilla is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean composed of a main island and several smaller islets that together form more than two dozen beaches. The terrain remains mostly flat, while coral reefs extend along the coasts and create sheltered bays with calm water suited for swimming and snorkeling.
European settlers arrived in the 17th century, and the island changed hands several times between French and British rule over the following decades. In 1980, after a period of political tension, the territory separated from Saint Kitts and Nevis and gained status as a distinct British overseas territory with its own administration.
The name derives from the Latin word for eel, referring to the main island's elongated shape visible from the water. English is spoken throughout, while reggae and soca sounds drift from bars and beach shacks where visitors meet locals gathering to relaxed rhythms.
Travelers reach the territory by taking a short flight or ferry from Sint Maarten, with the crossing lasting about twenty minutes. The best conditions occur between December and May, when the rainy season has ended and hurricane season has not yet begun or has already finished.
At Sandy Ground harbor, several old vessels were deliberately sunk to create artificial reefs that now serve as dive sites. These underwater structures attract tropical fish and occasionally sea turtles that swim among the sunken wrecks and can be observed by divers.
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