| Originally
called L'Anguille (French for eel) on account of
its long narrow shape. Anguilla, as it is known
today, boast a few defining features. It is mostly
flat, with the occasional rolling hills. It is surrounded
by a myriad of blinding white beaches. It has a
limestone coral foundation covered with low vegetation
and it has a proliferation of salt ponds
In
1967 Anguilla withdrew from its union with St
Kitts and Nevis. The other two islands were seeking
independence whereas Anguilla opted to remain
under British rule. The island was formally separated
from St Kitts and Nevis in 1981. Today, like Bermuda,
the Cayman Islands, the British Virgin Islands
and the Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla remains
a British Oversees Territory. During the 1980's,
the island enjoyed rapid economic and social development.
As a result, Anguilla has become a high quality,
exclusive tourist destination and one of the most
affluent islands in the region.
Anguilla
has also been involved in the provision of international
financial services for many years. In 1991 the
financial services sector was developed by the
government as a means of strengthening and diversifying
the overall economic base and to provide another
employment source for Anguillans who were now
obtaining university education in unprecedented
numbers. The island was already in possession
of most of its characteristics that are essential
to an international financial services centre.
As a result, financial planners can put together
structures requiring a neutral tax jurisdiction.
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