Nation at a Glance - Antigua And Barbuda

History

The Siboney were the first people 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 Spanish and French settlements were succeeded by an English 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.

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Border Countries: 0 km

Total Area: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km) Land: 442.6 sq km Water: 0 sq km

Climate: Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: Mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Natural resources: NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

Land use: Agricultural land: 20.5% arable land 9.1%; permanent crops 2.3%; permanent pasture 9.1% Forest: 22.3% Other: 57.2% (2011 est.)

Ethnic groups: Black 87.3%, Mixed 4.7%, Hispanic 2.7%, White 1.6%, Other 2.7%, Unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Languages: English (official), Antiguan creole

Religions: Protestant 68.3% (Anglican 17.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 5.6%, Wesleyan Holiness 4.5%, Church of God 4.1%, Baptist 3.6%), Roman Catholic 8.2%, Other 12.2%, Unspecified 5.5%, None 5.9% (2011 est.)

Literacy: 99%; Male: 98.4%; Female: 99.4% (2012 est.)

Population: 93,581 (July 2016 est.)

Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

Economy: 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. Like other countries in the region, Antigua's economy was severely hit by effects of the global economic recession in 2009. The country suffered from the collapse of its largest private sector employer, a steep decline in tourism, a rise in debt, and a sharp economic contraction between 2009 and 2011. Antigua has not yet returned to its pre-crisis growth levels. Barbuda suffered significant damages after hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through the Caribbean in 2017. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and could be disrupted by potential damage from natural disasters. The new government, elected in 2014 and led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The government places some hope in a new Citizenship by Investment Program to both reduce public debt levels and spur growth and a resolution of a WTO dispute with the US.

Agriculture - products: Cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock

Industries: Tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)