Country Details
| Land Area |
442 sq km |
Population |
69866 |
| Capital City |
ST. John's |
People |
black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian |
| Language |
English |
Religion |
Anglican (predominant), other Protestant, some Roman Catholic |
| Government Type |
constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament |
Life Expectancy |
70.74 years |
| HIV/AIDS Rate |
NA% |
GNP per Capita |
$8,200 |
| Currency |
East Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
Major Exports |
petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machiner |
| National Holiday |
Independence Day, 1 November (1981) |
Dialing Code |
1-268 |
| Electricity |
110/220V |
Malaria Risk |
|
| Water Quality |
|
Inoculations |
Yellow Fever (if travelling from an endemic country) |
| Crime |
|
Driving License |
Drivers permit obtained by showing National Licence at police station |
| Photography |
|
Entry Regs |
|
| Time Zone |
GMT-4 |
|
|
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.
