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 (2001 Antiguan census): 75,401.
Annual population growth rate (1999): 1.1%.
Ethnic groups: Almost entirely of African origin; some of British,
Portuguese, and Levantine Arab origin.
Christian singles note-Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical
Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities.
Language: English.
Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy--about 90%.
Health: Life expectancy--71 yrs. male; 75 yrs. female. Infant
mortality rate--18/1,000.
Work force (31,300): Commerce and services, agriculture, other
industry.
Unemployment (Labor Commission est. 2002): 11-13%.
Government
Type: Constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style Parliament.
Constitution: 1981.
Independence: November 1, 1981.
Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen
Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), and
cabinet. Legislative--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. 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 Labor Party (ALP, incumbent), United
Progressive Party (UPP), Barbuda People's Movement (BPM).
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
Economy
GDP (2002): $710 million.
GDP growth rate (2002): 2.7%.
Per capita GDP (est. 2000): $9,690.
Natural resources: Negligible.
Agriculture (2001, 4% of GDP): Products--cotton, livestock,
vegetables, and pineapples.
Services: Tourism, banking, and other financial services.
Trade (est. 2001): Exports--$17 million. Trade partners
(2000)--OECS (24%), U.S. (10%), Trinidad and Tobago (7%), Barbados
(21%). Imports--$375 million. Trade partners--U.S.
(27%), U.K. (10%), OECS (1%).
