Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Each Endeavouring, All Achieving
Official language	English
Capital	Saint John's
Queen	Elizabeth II
Governor General	James Carlisle
Prime Minister	Lester Bird
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 180th 442 km² Negligible
Population  - Total (2002)  - Density	Ranked 185th 67,448 152/km²
Independence -Date	From the U.K November 1, 1981
Currency	East Caribbean dollar
Time zone	UTC -4
National anthem	Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee
Internet TLD	.AG
Calling Code	1-268

History

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 BC, but Arawak and Carib Amerindian tribes populated the islands when Christopher Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Politics

As with most nations in the Commonwealth, the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by a governor general. Executive power is in the hands of the prime minister, who is also the head of government. The prime minister is usually the leader of the winning party of the elections for the House of Representatives (17 members), held every five years. The other chamber of the parliament, the Senate, has 17 members which are appointed by the governor general.

Parishes and Dependencies

The island of Antigua is separated into six parishes:

• Saint George
• Saint John
• Saint Mary
• Saint Paul
• Saint Peter
• Saint Philip

The island of Barbuda has the status of dependency, as does the tiny island of Redonda to the west.

Geography

The country consists of a number of islands, of which Antigua is the largest one, and the most populated. Barbuda, just north of Antigua is the other main island. The islands have a warm, tropical climate, with fairly constant temperatures year round.

The islands are mostly low-lying, with the highest point being Boggy Peak, at 402 m. The small country's main town is the capital Saint John's on Antigua; Barbuda's largest town is Codrington.

Economy

Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labour shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction work.

Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialised world, especially in the United States, which accounts for about one-third of all tourist arrivals.

Demographics

Most of the population are descendants of the slaves that used to work in the sugar plantations, but there are also groups of Europeans, notably British and Portuguese. While the official language is English, most of the locals speak patois, a mixture of English, local languages and some other European languages.

Almost all Antiguans are Christians, with the Anglican Church (about 50%) being the largest denomination.

Miscellaneous topics

• Culture of Antigua and Barbuda
  • Music of Antigua and Barbuda
• Communications in Antigua and Barbuda
• Transportation in Antigua and Barbuda
• Military of Antigua and Barbuda
• Foreign relations of Antigua and Barbuda

External links

• Antiguagov - Official governmental site
• Official Website Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism
• Maps of Antigua & Barbuda
• Library of Congress Portals on the World - Antigua and Barbuda

Referenced By