About
The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib
Indians populated the islands when 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.
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Source: The World Factbook
Population: 68,722 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Saint John's (Antigua)
Languages: English
(official), local dialects
Religions: Christian, (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic)
Government: constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone
and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas
Geography: Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large
western harbor
Ethnic groups: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
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 labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. 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 industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts
for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $11,000 (2002 est.)
GDP real growth: 3% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11% (2001
est.)
Internet country code: .ag
Dial code: +268
Cities
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Find a flight to any city in Antigua and Barbuda
Local currency is the East Caribbean Dollar
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