Country Profile: Antigua and Barbuda

Last reviewed: 12 February 2008

Country information

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA TODAY

Country Facts

Area: 442 sq km (Antigua 281 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)
Population: 69,000 (Census 2006 Estimates). Barbuda's population of 1,400 live mostly in or near the town of Codrington. Population growth rate: 0.74% (2006 estimate).
Capital City: St John's City, with an estimated population (2001) of 24,000. This is the main commercial centre of Antigua and has the largest harbour, capable of berthing 5 ships, and sometimes more.
People: Most Antiguans are of African lineage, descendants of slaves brought to the island centuries ago to labour in the sugarcane fields. About 10% of the population consists of Hispanic immigrants, mainly from the Dominican Republic. Nationals from Jamaica, Dominica and Guyana have also settled on the island.
Languages: English
Religion(s): Predominantly Anglican, but also Moravian, Methodist and Roman Catholic
Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (EC$) £1.00 = 5.36EC$
Political Parties: United Progressive Party (UPP); Antigua Labour Party (ALP); Barbuda People's Movement (BPM)
Government: A constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament. The bicameral legislature comprises a House of Representatives elected every 5 years and a Senate of 17 appointed members. The United Progressive Party won elections held on 23 March 2004 by a majority of 12 seats to 4, with 1 seat (Barbuda) tied.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II represented by HE the Governor General, Dame Louise Lacke-Tack GCMG.
Prime Minister/Premier: The Hon (Winston) Baldwin Spencer
Foreign Minister: The Hon (Winston) Baldwin Spencer
Membership of international groups/organisations: ACP, Caricom, CDB, Commonwealth, ECLAC, FAO, G77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMG, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM (observer), OAS OECS, OPANAL, UN UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO. Antigua is Chair of the G77 in 2008.