Antigua And Barbuda - Tips

Antigua and Barbuda Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
June 2007

Background Note: Antigua and Barbuda

Men participate in parade marking
25th anniversary of Antigua's
independence, St. John, Antigua.
November 1, 2006. [© AP Images]

Flag of Antigua and Barbuda is red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based
on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of
black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black
band.

PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Antigua and Barbuda

Geography
Area: Antigua--281 sq. km. (108 sq. mi.); Barbuda--161 sq. km. (62 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--St. John's (pop. 30,000).
Terrain: Generally low-lying, with highest elevation 405 m. (1,330 ft.).
Climate: Tropical maritime.

People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s).
Population (2005): 82,786.
Annual population growth rate (2005): 1.7%.
Ethnic groups: Almost entirely of African origin; some of British,
Portuguese, and Levantine Arab origin.
Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical Protestant and Roman
Catholic minorities.
Language: English.
Education (2005): Adult literacy--85.8%.
Health (2004): Infant mortality rate--11.0/1,000. Life expectancy--men 70
years; women 74 years.
Work force (2005): 30,000 (commerce and services, agriculture, other
industry).
Unemployment (2002): 13%.

Government
Type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the
Commonwealth.
Constitution: 1981.
Independence: November 1, 1981.
Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head
of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet.
Legislative--bicameral Parliament. Judicial--magistrate's courts, Eastern
Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeals), Privy Council in
London.
Administrative subdivisions: Six parishes and two dependencies (Barbuda and
Redonda).
Political parties: Antigua Labour Party (ALP), United Progressive Party (UPP,
majority), Barbuda People's Movement (BPM).
Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy
GDP (2005): $875.8 million.
GDP growth rate (2005): 3.2%.
Per capita GDP (2004): $12,586.
Inflation (2005): 0.9%.
Natural resources: Negligible.
Agriculture: Fish, cotton, livestock, vegetables, and pineapples.
Services: Tourism, banking, and other financial services.
Trade (2005): Exports--$58 million (merchandise) and $454 million (commercial
services). Major markets--European Union (23.2%), United States (7.7%),
Anguilla (7.0%), St. Kitts and Nevis (10.3%), Netherlands Antilles (23.4%).
Imports--$497 million (merchandise) and $197 million (commercial services).
Major suppliers--United States (48.9%), Netherlands Antilles (10.2%),
European Union (11.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (10.9%), Canada (3.7%).
Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.

HISTORY
Antigua was first inhabited by the Siboney ("stone people"), whose
settlements date at least to 2400 BC. The Arawaks--who originated in
Venezuela and gradually migrated up the chain of islands now called the
Lesser Antilles--succeeded the Siboney. The warlike Carib people drove the
Arawaks from neighboring islands but apparently did not settle on either
Antigua or Barbuda.

Christopher Columbus landed on the islands in 1493, naming the larger one
"Santa Maria de la Antigua." The English colonized the islands in 1632. Sir
Christopher Codrington established the first large sugar estate in Antigua in
1674, and leased Barbuda to raise provisions for his plantations. Barbuda's
only town is named after him. Codrington and others brought slaves from
Africa's west coast to work the plantations.

Antiguan slaves were emancipated in 1834, but remained economically dependent
on the plantation owners. Economic opportunities for the new freedmen were
limited by a lack of surplus farming land, no access to credit, and an
economy built on agriculture rather than manufacturing. Poor labor conditions
persisted until 1939, which saw the birth of the trade union movement in
Antigua and Barbuda.

The Antigua Trades and Labour Union became the political vehicle for Vere
Cornwall Bird, who was elected as the Labour Union's president in 1943. The
Antigua Labour Party (ALP), formed by Bird and other trade unionists, first
ran candidates in the 1946 elections and became the majority party in 1951,
beginning a long history of electoral victories.

Voted out of office in the 1971 general elections that swept the progressive
labor movement into power, Bird and the ALP returned to office in 1976,
winning renewed mandates in every subsequent election under Vere Bird's
leadership until 1994 and also under the leadership of his son, Lester Bird,
up until March 2004, when the ALP lost power in national elections.

In the last elections on March 23, 2004, the United Progressive Party (UPP)
won 12 of the 17 seats in Parliament. The main opposition ALP, now led by
Steadroy "Cutie" Benjamin, retained four seats.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by
a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the
cabinet. Antigua and Barbuda has a bicameral legislature: a 17-member Senate
appointed by the governor general--mainly on the advice of the prime minister
and the leader of the opposition--and a 17-member popularly elected House of
Representatives. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in
the House and conducts affairs of state with the cabinet. The prime minister
and the cabinet are responsible to the Parliament. Elections must be held at
least every 5 years but may be called by the prime minister at any time.
National elections were last held on March 23, 2004.

Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship,
movement, and association. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the eastern
Caribbean court system. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.

Principal Government Officials
Chief of State--Queen Elizabeth II
Governor General--Sir James Beethoven Carlisle
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs--Winston Baldwin Spencer
Ambassador to the United States and the OAS--Deborah Mae Lovell
Ambassador to the United Nations--Dr. John Ashe

Antigua and Barbuda maintains an embassy in the United States at 3216 New
Mexico Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016 (tel. 202-362-5122).

ECONOMY
Antigua and Barbuda's service-based economy grew by 3.2% in 2005, compared
with 5.2% in 2004. Construction, banking and insurance, communications, and
wholesale and retail trade sectors were the main contributors to economic
growth. The economy is experiencing its third consecutive year of high
growth, driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing, as well as
projects related to the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The tourism and hospitality
sector has largely recovered after the decrease in tourism following the
September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It posted a strong performance in 2004,
and in 2005 the sector was estimated at 50% of GDP.

To lessen its vulnerability to natural disasters and economic shocks, Antigua
has sought to diversify its economy by encouraging growth in transportation,
communications, Internet gambling, and financial services.

Antigua and Barbuda's currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$), a
regional currency shared among members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency
Union (ECCU). The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) issues the EC$,
manages monetary policy, and regulates and supervises commercial banking
activities in its member countries. The ECCB has kept the EC$ pegged at
EC$2.7=U.S. $1.

Antigua and Barbuda is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative
that grants duty-free entry into the United States for many goods. In 2005,
7.7% of its total exports went to the United States, and 48.9% of its total
imports came from the United States. Antigua and Barbuda also belongs to the
predominantly English-speaking Caribbean Community and Common Market
(CARICOM) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Antigua and Barbuda maintains diplomatic relations with the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China, as well as
with many Latin American countries and neighboring Eastern Caribbean states.
It is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the
Organization of American States, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean
States, and the Eastern Caribbean's Regional Security System (RSS).

U.S.-ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA RELATIONS
The United States has maintained friendly relations with Antigua and Barbuda
since its independence. The United States has supported the Government of
Antigua and Barbuda's effort to expand its economic base and to improve its
citizens' standard of living. However, concerns over the lack of adequate
regulation of the financial services sector prompted the U.S. Government to
issue a financial advisory for Antigua and Barbuda in 1999. The advisory was
lifted in 2001, but the U.S. Government continues to monitor the Government
of Antigua and Barbuda's regulation of financial services. The United States
also has been active in supporting post-hurricane disaster assistance and
rehabilitation through the U.S. Agency for International Development's
(USAID) Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance and the Peace Corps. U.S.
assistance is primarily channeled through multilateral agencies such as the
World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), as well as through the
USAID office in Bridgetown, Barbados. In addition, Antigua and Barbuda
receives counter-narcotics assistance and benefits from U.S. military
exercise-related and humanitarian civic assistance construction projects.

Antigua and Barbuda is strategically situated in the Leeward Islands near
maritime transport lanes of major importance to the United States. Antigua
has long hosted a U.S. military presence. The former U.S. Navy support
facility, turned over to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in 1995, is
now being developed as a regional Coast Guard training facility.

Antigua and Barbuda's location close to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico makes it an attractive transshipment point for narcotics traffickers. To
address these problems, the United States and Antigua and Barbuda have signed
a series of counter-narcotic and counter-crime treaties and agreements,
including a maritime law enforcement agreement (1995), subsequently amended
to include overflight and order-to-land provisions (1996); a bilateral
extradition treaty (1996); and a mutual legal assistance treaty (1996).

In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda had 239,804 stay-over visitors, with nearly 28%
of Antigua and Barbuda's visitors coming from the United States. It is
estimated that 4,500 Americans reside in the country.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Mary M. Ourisman
Deputy Chief of Mission--Mary Ellen T. Gilroy
Political/Economic Counselor--Martina Strong (acting)
Consul General--Clyde Howard Jr.
Regional Labor Attaché--Martina Strong
Economic-Commercial Affairs--Anthony Eterno
Public Affairs Officer--Julie O'Reagan
Peace Corps Director--Kate Raftery

The United States maintains no official presence in Antigua. The Ambassador
and Embassy officers are resident in Barbados and travel to Antigua
frequently. However, a U.S. consular agent resident in Antigua assists U.S.
citizens in Antigua and Barbuda.

The U.S. Embassy in Barbados is located in the Wildey Business Park, Wildey,
St. Michael. (tel: 246-436-4950; fax: 246-429-5246). Consular Agent Rebecca
Simon is located at Hospital Hill, English Harbor, Antigua, tel: (268)
463-6531.

Other Contact Information
U.S. Department of Commerce
International Trade Administration
Office of Latin America and the Caribbean
14th & Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: 202-482-1658, 800-USA-Trade
Fax: 202-482-0464

Caribbean/Latin American Action
1818 N Street, NW
Suite 310
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-466-7464
Fax: 202-822-0075

TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program advises Americans
traveling and residing abroad through Consular Information Sheets, Public
Announcements, and Travel Warnings. Consular Information Sheets exist for all
countries and include information on entry and exit requirements, currency
regulations, health conditions, safety and security, crime, political
disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.
Public Announcements are issued to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that
pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Travel Warnings
are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel
to a certain country because the situation is dangerous or unstable.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad
should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet
web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution,
Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs
Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a
safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For
additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/
Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.

The Department of State encourages all U.S citizens who traveling or residing
abroad to register via the State Department's travel registration website or
at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Registration will make your
presence and whereabouts known in case it is necessary to contact you in an
emergency and will enable you to receive up-to-date information on security
conditions.

Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be obtained
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular
toll line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside the U.S. and Canada.

The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department of
State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S. passport
information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778). Customer service
representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are available Monday-Friday, 7:00
a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.

Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP
(877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm give the
most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations or requirements,
and advice on food and drinking water safety for regions and countries. A
booklet entitled "Health Information for International Travel" (HHS
publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.

Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://
www.state.gov, the Department of State web site provides timely, global
access to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background
Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key officers of
Foreign Service posts and more. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC)
provides security information and regional news that impact U.S. companies
working abroad through its website http://www.osac.gov

Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance and market
information offered by the federal government and provides trade leads, free
export counseling, help with the export process, and more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides
authoritative economic, business, and international trade information from
the Federal government. The site includes current and historical
trade-related releases, international market research, trade opportunities,
and country analysis and provides access to the National Trade Data Bank. ***********************************************************
See http://www.state.gov/r/pa/bgn/ for all Background notes
************************************************************
To change your subscription, go to http://www.state.gov/misc/echannels/66822.htm Antigua and Barbuda

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