Introduction

Background: |  |

`
The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak 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.
`

Geography

Location: |  |
`Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico`
Geographic coordinates: |  |
`17 03 N, 61 48 W`
Map references: |  |
`Central America and the Caribbean`
Area: |  |
`total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) country comparison to the world: 199 land: 442.6 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km`
Area - comparative: |  |
`2.5 times the size of Washington, DC`
Land boundaries: |  |
`0 km`
Coastline: |  |
`153 km`
Maritime claims: |  |
`territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin`
Climate: |  |
`tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation`
Terrain: |  |
`mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas`
Elevation extremes: |  |
`lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m`
Natural resources: |  |
`NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism`
Land use: |  |
`arable land: 18.18% permanent crops: 4.55% other: 77.27% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`NA`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`0.1 cu km (2000)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.005 cu km/yr (60%/20%/20%) per capita: 63 cu m/yr (1990)`
Natural hazards: |  |
`hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts`
Environment - current issues: |  |
`water management - a major concern because of limited natural freshwater resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly`
Environment - international agreements: |  |
`party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements`
Geography - note: |  |
`Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor`

People

Population: |  |
`87,884 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 196`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 25.8% (male 11,530/female 11,174) 15-64 years: 67.4% (male 27,599/female 31,592) 65 years and over: 6.8% (male 2,592/female 3,397) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 30.3 years male: 28.7 years female: 31.7 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`1.289% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 91`
Birth rate: |  |
`16.31 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 125`
Death rate: |  |
`5.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 173`
Net migration rate: |  |
`2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 37`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 30% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`SAINT JOHN'S (capital) 27,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 121 male: 16.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 75.48 years country comparison to the world: 85 male: 73.47 years female: 77.59 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`2.05 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 124`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`NA`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`NA`
Drinking water source: |  |
`improved: urban: 95% of population rural: 89% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 5% of population rural: 11% of population total: 9% of population (2000)`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 98% of population rural: 94% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 2% of population rural: 6% of population total: 5% of population (2000)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s) adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census)`
Religions: |  |
`Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census)`
Languages: |  |
`English (official), local dialects`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling total population: 85.8% male: NA female: NA (2003 est.)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2009)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`2.7% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 142`

Government

Country name: |  |
`conventional long form: none conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda`
Government type: |  |
`constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and a Commonwealth realm`
Capital: |  |
`name: Saint John's geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)`
Administrative divisions: |  |
`6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip`
Independence: |  |
`1 November 1981 (from the UK)`
National holiday: |  |
`Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)`
Constitution: |  |
`1 November 1981`
Legal system: |  |
`common law based on the English model`
International law organization participation: |  |
`has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction`
Suffrage: |  |
`18 years of age; universal`
Executive branch: |  |

`
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats; members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 12 March 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%, BPM 1.1%; seats by party - UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court consisting of a High Court of Justice and a Court of Appeal (based in Saint Lucia; two judges of the Supreme Court are residents of the islands and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction); Magistrates' Courts; member of the Caribbean Court of Justice`
Political parties and leaders: |  |

`
Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]; Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]; Barbuda People's Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS]; Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]; United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties - Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP)
`

Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]; People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]`
International organization participation: |  |
`ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, PetroCaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO`
Diplomatic representation in the US: |  |
`chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122 FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225 consulate(s) general: Miami, New York`
Diplomatic representation from the US: |  |
`the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda`
Flag description: |  |

`
red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand
`

National anthem: |  |
`name: "Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" lyrics/music: Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS note: adopted 1967; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)`

Economy

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Tourism continues to dominate Antigua and Barbuda's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. 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 tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and potential damages from natural disasters. After taking office in 2004, the SPENCER government adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, and was successful in reducing its public debt-to-GDP ratio from 120% to about 90% in 2008. However, the global financial crisis that began in 2008, has led to a significant increase in the national debt, which topped 130% at the end of 2010. The Antiguan economy experienced solid growth from 2003 to 2007, reaching over 12% in 2006 driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing associated with the Cricket World Cup, but growth dropped off in 2008 with the end of the boom. In 2009, Antigua's economy was severely hit by the global economic crisis, suffering from the collapse of its largest financial institution and a steep decline in tourism. This decline continued in 2010 as the country struggled with a yawning budget deficit.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$1.425 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194 $1.486 billion (2009 est.) $1.631 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$1.105 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`-4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 211 -8.9% (2009 est.) 1.8% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$16,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $17,400 (2009 est.) $19,300 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 3.8% industry: 22% services: 74.3% (2002 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`30,000 (1991) country comparison to the world: 204`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 7% industry: 11% services: 82% (1983)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`11% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 121`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $229.5 million expenditures: $293.4 million (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`1.5% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36`
Central bank discount rate: |  |
`6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 60 6.5% (31 December 2008)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`10.07% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 10.43% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$233.5 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 170 $266.7 million (31 December 2008)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$1.186 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 159 $1.236 billion (31 December 2008)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$1.13 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $1.002 billion (31 December 2007 est.)`
Agriculture - products: |  |
`cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock`
Industries: |  |
`tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)`
Industrial production growth rate: |  |
`NA%`
Electricity - production: |  |
`110 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`102.3 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 146`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`5,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 166`
Oil - exports: |  |
`219 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130`
Oil - imports: |  |
`4,690 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 160`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 94`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 144`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 48`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 140`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 105`
Current account balance: |  |
`$-211 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92`
Exports: |  |
`$84.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 197`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals`
Imports: |  |
`$522.8 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 189`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil`
Debt - external: |  |
`$359.8 million (June 2006) country comparison to the world: 165`
Exchange rates: |  |
`East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2010) 2.7 (2009) 2.7 (2005) 2.7 (2004) 2.7 (2003)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`37,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 173`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`134,900 (2009) country comparison to the world: 178`
Telephone system: |  |

`
general assessment: good automatic telephone system
domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 40 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is some 150 per 100 persons
international: country code - 1-268; landing points for the East Caribbean Fiber System (ECFS) and the Global Caribbean Network (GCN) submarine cable systems with links to other islands in the eastern Caribbean extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad; satellite earth stations - 2; tropospheric scatter to Saba (Netherlands) and Guadeloupe (France) (2009)
`

Broadcast media: |  |
`state-controlled Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) operates 1 TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; 1 radio station operated by ABS; roughly 15 radio stations, some broadcasting on multiple frequencies (2007)`
Internet country code: |  |
`.ag`
Internet hosts: |  |
`9,795 (2010) country comparison to the world: 122`
Internet users: |  |
`65,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 171`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`3 (2010) country comparison to the world: 190`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)`
Airports - with unpaved runways: |  |
`total: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 1,165 km country comparison to the world: 181 paved: 384 km unpaved: 781 km (2002)`
Merchant marine: |  |

`
total: 1,219
country comparison to the world: 9
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 53, cargo 703, carrier 6, chemical tanker 4, container 412, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 16, vehicle carrier 2
foreign-owned: 1,186 (Albania 1, Colombia 1, Denmark 20, Estonia 20, Germany 1050, Greece 5, Iceland 9, Isle of Man 2, Latvia 16, Lithuania 4, Mexico 2, Netherlands 18, Norway 9, NZ 2, Poland 2, Russia 3, Slovenia 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 7, Turkey 7, US 6)
note: this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag; these ships operate under the laws of the flag state (2010)
`

Ports and terminals: |  |
`Saint John's`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (includes Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard) (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)`
Manpower available for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 21,141 females age 16-49: 24,056 (2010 est.)`
Manpower fit for military service: |  |
`males age 16-49: 17,676 females age 16-49: 19,960 (2010 est.)`
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually: |  |
`male: 806 female: 799 (2010 est.)`
Military expenditures: |  |
`0.5% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 162`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`
Illicit drugs: |  |
`considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe; more significant as an offshore financial center`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011