Anguilla Capitals

The capital of Anguilla is The Valley. It is one of the island’s fourteen districts. It is located at the center of the island, and close to Crocus Bay beach and to Crocus Hill which is the highest point of the island reaching 213 feet above sea level. The Valley itself has an elevation of only 30 feet above sea level.

The Valley had a population of 1067 inhabitants as of 2011, and per the census of 2001, 10% of the population lived in the capital which made it one of the most populated towns on the island. The population is mostly made up of Africans with a minority of people who identified as multiracial or Europeans. The population has grown at an average rate of 2.8% over the past ten years with little change in either the mortality or fertility rates.

The Valley is often used as a base for exploring the rest of the island of Anguilla. The ruins of the Old Court House, on Crocus Hill, offer a great panoramic view of the coast. It has a unique infrastructure of upscale tourist properties and historic sites. It has three special gardens as well, namely the Hydroponic Organic Gardens and Farm, the Cap Juluca Indigenous Local Plants Gardens, and the Endangered Species Garden.

The Valley has a tropical wet and humid climate. It has two seasons, a short dry one that is experienced from February to April, and a relatively wet one that is experienced the rest of the year. The Northeast trade winds keep the island relatively cool. Like other Caribbean islands, it is vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes experienced during the hurricane season. Most recently in September 2017, the island was hit by the Category 5 Hurricane Irma that caused one death, as well as extensive damage to many of the island’s buildings, water supply, and even electricity infrastructure. The airport was also closed temporarily.