Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

Introduction

Background

The Siboney were the first 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 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.

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

17 03 N, 61 48 W

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Area

total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km

Barbuda 161 sq km)
country comparison to the world: 200 land:442.6 sq km
water:0 sq km
note:includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km

Area – comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries

0 km

Coastline

153 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm
continental shelf:200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

tropical maritime

little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain

mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:Boggy Peak 402 m

Natural resources

NEGL

pleasant climate fosters tourism

Land use

arable land: 18.18%
permanent crops:4.55%
other:77.27% (2005)

Irrigated land

1.3 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

0.1 cu km (2000)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.005cu km/yr (60%/20%/20%)
per capita:63cu m/yr (1990)

Natural hazards

hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)

periodic droughts

Environment – current issues

water management – a major concern because of limited natural freshwater resources – is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography – note

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches

Barbuda has a large western harbor

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)
adjective:Antiguan, Barbudan

Ethnic groups

black 91%, mixed 4.4%, white 1.7%, other 2.9% (2001 census)

Languages

English (official), local dialects

Religions

Protestant 76.4% (Anglican 25.7%, Seventh-Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%), Roman Catholic 10.4%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census)

Population

87,884 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.8% (male 11,530/female 11,174)
15-64 years:67.4% (male 27,599/female 31,592)
65 years and over:6.8% (male 2,592/female 3,397) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 30.3 years
male:28.7 years
female:31.7 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.289% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91

Birth rate

16.31 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124

Death rate

5.73 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Net migration rate

2.32 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37

Urbanization

urban population: 30% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

SAINT JOHN’S (capital) 27,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.87 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.76 male(s)/female
total population:0.9 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 14.63 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 121 male:16.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female:12.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.48 years
country comparison to the world: 85 male:73.47 years
female:77.59 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.05 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Health expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 135

Physicians density

0.17 physicians/1,000 population (1999)
country comparison to the world: 153

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)
country comparison to the world: 92

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 95% of population
rural: 89% of population
total: 91% of population
unimproved:
urban: 5% of population
rural: 11% of population
total: 9% of population (2000)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 94% of population
total: 95% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 6% of population
total: 5% of population (2000)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

HIV/AIDS – deaths

NA

Education expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 141

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling
total population:85.8%
male:NA
female:NA (2003 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years
male:14 years
female:14 years (2009)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 19.9%
country comparison to the world: 59 male:18.4%
female:21.6% (2001)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form:Antigua and Barbuda

Government type

constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and a Commonwealth realm

Capital

name: Saint John’s
geographic coordinates:17 07 N, 61 51 W
time difference:UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

6 parishes and 2 dependencies*

Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

Independence

1 November 1981 (from the UK)

National holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)

Constitution

1 November 1981

Legal system

common law based on the English model

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)

represented by Governor General Louisse LAKE-TACK (since 17 July 2007)
head of government:Prime Minister Winston Baldwin SPENCER (since 24 March 2004)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the monarchy is hereditary

governor general chosen by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister

following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats

members appointed by the governor general) and the House of Representatives (17 seats

members are elected by proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections:House of Representatives – last held on 12 March 2009 (next to be held in 2014)
election results:percent of vote by party – UPP 50.9%, ALP 47.2%, BPM 1.1%

seats by party – UPP 9, ALP 7, BPM 1

Judicial branch

Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court consisting of a High Court of Justice and a Court of Appeal (based in Saint Lucia

two judges of the Supreme Court are residents of the islands and preside over the Court of Summary Jurisdiction)

Magistrates’ Courts

member of the Caribbean Court of Justice

Political parties and leaders

Antigua Labor Party or ALP [Lester Bryant BIRD]

Barbuda People’s Movement or BPM [Thomas H. FRANK]

Barbuda People’s Movement for Change [Arthur NIBBS]

Barbudans for a Better Barbuda [Ordrick SAMUEL]

United Progressive Party or UPP [Baldwin SPENCER] (a coalition of three parties – Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement or ACLM, Progressive Labor Movement or PLM, United National Democratic Party or UNDP)

Political pressure groups and leaders

Antigua Trades and Labor Union or ATLU [William ROBINSON]

People’s Democratic Movement or PDM [Hugh MARSHALL]

International organization participation

ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, PetroCaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Deborah Mae LOVELL
chancery:3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone:[1] (202) 362-5122
FAX:[1] (202) 362-5225
consulate(s) general:Miami, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda

the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

Flag description

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

the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people

the “V” stands for victory

the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country’s tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand

National anthem

name: “Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee”
lyrics/music:Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS
note:adopted 1967

as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, “God Save the Queen” serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

Economy

Economy – overview

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. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and potential damages from natural disasters. After taking office in 2004, the SPENCER government adopted an ambitious fiscal reform program, and was successful in reducing its public debt-to-GDP ratio from 120% to about 90% in 2008. However, the global financial crisis that began in 2008, has led to a significant increase in the national debt, which topped 130% at the end of 2010. The Antiguan economy experienced solid growth from 2003 to 2007, reaching over 12% in 2006 driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing associated with the Cricket World Cup, but growth dropped off in 2008 with the end of the boom. In 2009, Antigua’s economy was severely hit by the global economic crisis, suffering from the collapse of its largest financial institution and a steep decline in tourism. This decline continued in 2010 as the country struggled with a yawning budget deficit.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.425 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194 $1.486 billion (2009 est.)
$1.631 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.105 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

-4.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210 -8.9% (2009 est.)
1.8% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$16,400 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68 $17,400 (2009 est.)
$19,300 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 3.9%
industry:33.2%
services:62.9% (2010 est.)

Labor force

30,000 (1991)
country comparison to the world: 203

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 7%
industry:11%
services:82% (1983)

Unemployment rate

11% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Population below poverty line

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:NA%

Investment (gross fixed)

79% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Budget

revenues: $229.5 million
expenditures:$293.4 million (2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101 -0.1% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

11.025% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107 10.05% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$208.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176 $233.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.299 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155 $1.194 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.14 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151 $1.19 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Agriculture – products

cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane

livestock

Industries

tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Electricity – production

115 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Electricity – consumption

107 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Oil – consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168

Oil – exports

240 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128

Oil – imports

4,548 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Current account balance

-$326.5 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95 -$261.6 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$69.1 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193 $71.53 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals

Imports

$633.7 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184 $589.4 million (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil

Debt – external

$359.8 million (June 2006)
country comparison to the world: 170

Exchange rates

East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -
2.7 (2010)
2.7 (2009)
2.7 (2005)
2.7 (2004)
2.7 (2003)

Transportation

Airports

3 (2010)
country comparison to the world:196

Airports – with paved runways

total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 1
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 1,165 km
country comparison to the world: 181 paved:384 km
unpaved:781 km (2002)

Merchant marine

total: 1,219
country comparison to the world: 9 by type:barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 53, cargo 703, carrier 6, chemical tanker 4, container 412, liquefied gas 12, petroleum tanker 1, refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 16, vehicle carrier 2
foreign-owned:1,186 (Albania 1, Colombia 1, Denmark 20, Estonia 20, Germany 1050, Greece 5, Iceland 9, Isle of Man 2, Latvia 16, Lithuania 4, Mexico 2, Netherlands 18, Norway 9, NZ 2, Poland 2, Russia 3, Slovenia 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 7, Turkey 7, US 6)
note:this country allows large numbers of ships owned by foreign entities to be registered in its national shipping registry and to fly its flag

these ships operate under the laws of the flag state (2010)

Ports and terminals

Saint John’s

Military

Military branches

Royal Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (includes Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard) (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service

no conscription (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 21,141
females age 16-49:24,056 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 17,676
females age 16-49:19,960 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 806
female:799 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 159

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

none

Illicit drugs

considered a minor transshipment point for narcotics bound for the US and Europe

more significant as an offshore financial center