Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda (UK: /ænˈtiːɡə ... bɑːrˈbuːdə/, US: /ænˈtiːɡwə ... bɑːrˈbjuːdə/) is a sovereign island country in the Caribbean. It lies at the conjuncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles.
Antigua and Barbuda | |
|---|---|
| Motto: "Each Endeavouring, All Achieving" | |
| Anthem: "Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee" | |
| Capital and largest city | St. John's 17°7′N 61°51′W |
| Vernacular language | Antiguan and Barbudan Creole |
| Working language | English |
| Ethnic groups (2011) |
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| Religion (2020) |
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| Demonym(s) | Antiguan and Barbudan |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Charles III |
| Sir Rodney Williams | |
• Prime Minister | Gaston Browne |
| Legislature | Parliament |
• Upper house | Senate |
• Lower house | House of Representatives |
| Formation | |
• Barbuda (Extension of Laws of Antigua) Act | 23 September 1859 |
• Annexation of Redonda | 26 March 1872 |
• Parish Boundaries Act | 17 December 1873 |
| 27 February 1967 | |
• Independence | 1 November 1981 |
| Area | |
• Total | 440 km2 (170 sq mi) (182nd) |
• Water (%) | negligible |
| Population | |
• 2022 estimate | 100,772 (182nd) |
• 2011 census | 84,816 |
• Density | 186/km2 (481.7/sq mi) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $2.6 billion (196th) |
• Per capita | $25,449 (59th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $1.95 billion (193rd) |
• Per capita | $19,068 (49th) |
| HDI (2022) | 0.826 very high (54th) |
| Currency | East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (AST) |
| Driving side | left |
| Calling code | +1-268 |
| ISO 3166 code | AG |
| Internet TLD | .ag |
Website ab | |
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The country consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, which are approximately 40 km (25 mi) apart, and several smaller islands, including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, Prickly Pear, York, and Redonda. The permanent population is approximately 97,120 (2019 estimates), with 97% residing in Antigua. St. John's, Antigua, is the country's capital, major city, and largest port. Codrington is Barbuda's largest town.
In 1493, Christopher Columbus surveyed the island of Antigua, which he named for the Church of Santa María La Antigua. Great Britain colonized Antigua in 1632 and Barbuda in 1678. A part of the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands from 1871, Antigua and Barbuda joined the West Indies Federation in 1958. With the breakup of the federation in 1962, it became one of the West Indies Associated States in 1967. Following a period of internal self-governance, it gained full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth and a Commonwealth realm; it is a constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state.
The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism, which accounts for 80% of its GDP. Like other island nations, Antigua and Barbuda is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, and increased intensity of extreme weather like hurricanes. These cause coastal erosion, water scarcity, and other challenges.
Antigua and Barbuda offers a citizenship by investment program. The country levies no personal income tax.