Country Guide • Antigua
Antigua, the largest of the British Leeward Islands, is about 14 miles long and 11 miles wide. In 1784 Admiral Horatio Nelson sailed to Antigua and established Great Britain's most important Caribbean base. Antigua and Barbuda is one of the Caribbean's premier tourist destinations. The island is laden with a colonial atmosphere, from the old stone windmills of long-abandoned sugar plantations to the renovated naval base of Nelson's Dockyard. Neighboring Barbuda lies 25miles (40km) to the north where there are some of the Caribbean's most exclusive resorts.
| Official Name | Antigua and Barbuda |
|---|---|
| Area | Antigua, 280km² (108mile²); Barbuda, 161 sq km (62mile²) |
| Population | 67,900 |
| Continent | Caribbean/North America |
| Population per mile² | 397 |
| Capital City | St Johns |
| Religions | 45% Anglican, 42% Protestants mainly Moravians, Methodists and Seven Day Adventists. 10% Roman Catholics and less than 1% are Rastafarians |
| Language | English |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth |
| Member of EU | N/A |
| Currency | East Caribbean Dollar |
| GDP | $674 million |
| GDP per Head | $10,000 |
| Natural Resources | Great Climate |
| Land Use | Arable Land 18% |
| Agriculture | Bananas, Cotton, Coconuts, Cucumbers, Mangoes and other Fruits, Livestock and Sugarcane |
| Industry | Tourism, Construction, Light Manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) |
| Tourism | With an all year round climate between 27°C - 30°C Antigua and Barbuda is a prime destination for those seeking a Caribbean holiday, Antigua is said to have nearly as many beaches as days in the year |
| Natural Hazards | |
| Health Risks | Sunburn, diarrhoea and intestinal parasites |
| Climate | January and February are the coolest months, still with a lovely 81°F (27°C). The islands get even hotter in the summer. In July and August, the warmest months, the average daily high is 86°F (30°C). It's less dry in the autumn (September to November), during the rainy season, though Antigua's fairly dry year-round |
| Time | GMT/UTC-4 hours |
| National Days | May 5 Labour Day, 4 and 5 August Carnival Days, 22 November Independence Day |
| Visas | Visitors from the UK, USA and Canada may enter the country for stays of less than six months with either a valid passport or a birth certificate with a raised seal and a photo ID. Most other visitors, including citizens of Australia, New Zealand and Western European countries, must have passports but do not need visas. Officially all visitors need a round-trip or onward ticket |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
