Overview of Antigua and Barbuda

Profile

Antigua and Barbuda consists of multiple coral reefs and volcanic islands floating in the eastern Caribbean, with the capital St. John's located in the northwest of Antigua Island. Though the area is approximately 442 km2, the warm, dry climate and white sand beaches are world-renowned. English is the official language, and it adopts a constitutional monarchy with the British monarch as head of state. Tourism accounts for approximately 80% of GDP, complemented by online financial services, rum distilling, and agriculture (sugarcane and livestock). Recently, hurricane damage and climate change mitigation have become national priorities, with renewable energy adoption progressing.

Official name

Antigua and Barbuda

Common name

Antigua and Barbuda

Numeric code

028

Alpha-3 code

ATG

Alpha-2 code

AG

Population

Approx. 100,000 (2023)

Population density

Approx. 225

Primary languages

English

Major religions

Christianity (mainly Anglican, Moravian, Pentecostal, etc.)

National anthem

Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee

Calling code

+1-268

Internet TLD

.ag

History

Named by Columbus in 1493, it became a British colony from 1667 and gained independence on November 1, 1981.

The island inhabited by indigenous Arawak people was named "Santa Maria de la Antigua" by Columbus in 1493. France and Britain successively advanced in the 17th century, and from 1667 onwards it formed a sugar plantation economy as a British colony. Following the abolition of slavery in the 19th century and the expansion of autonomy in the 20th century, it joined the West Indies Federation in 1958. It acquired internal self-governance rights under "Associated Statehood" with Britain in 1967, and achieved full independence as a Commonwealth realm member in 1981. In the 1990s, it suffered from hurricane damage and tourism decline, but recovered growth through luxury resort development from the mid-2000s onwards. Hurricane Irma in 2017 caused devastating damage to Barbuda Island, making recovery and climate resilience major current political challenges.

Geography & climate

Consists of low volcanic islands and limestone plateaus surrounded by coral reefs, with drought-prone savanna spreading. The highest peak is Boggy Peak on Antigua Island (elevation 395m).

Tropical Savanna Climate (Aw)

Area

North America (Caribbean) / 442 km²

Capital

St. John's

Largest city

St. John's

Coastal status

Yes

Politics

Government: Constitutional Monarchy / Parliamentary Democracy

Economy

Currency: East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

GDP (nominal): 18.1 hundred million USD (2023)

GDP (PPP): 25.6 hundred million international dollars (2023)

Language & timezone

Primary languages: English

Time zone: Atlantic Standard Time (AST)

Culture & customs

Ethnic groups

Afro-Antiguan, Mixed (Mulatto), European (British, Portuguese), Other Caribbean island immigrants, Middle Eastern Lebanese

Life expectancy

Approx. 79.5 years

Literacy rate

Approx. 99%

National sports

Cricket, Football, Sailing (Yacht), Track and Field, Netball, Rugby

Flag

Emblem