Antigua And Barbuda: A Country Of Two Islands

Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Caribbean Sea, lying at the conjunction of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a tropical country consisting of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda. Antigua is the largest of the three, known for its secluded bays, sandy beaches, and coral reefs. Barbuda, on the other hand, is a flat coral island with a large lagoon, while Redonda is rocky and uninhabited. The country gained its independence from Britain in 1981 and is now a member of the Commonwealth.

Antigua and Barbuda's independence

Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Caribbean, specifically in the Leeward Islands chain, which is part of the Lesser Antilles. It gained full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981, becoming a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth as its head of state. The country opted to remain within the Commonwealth, with the first governor-general being Sir Wilfred Jacobs.

The road to independence for Antigua and Barbuda was a long one, marked by political discussions and rivalry. The country had been a part of the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands from 1871 and joined the West Indies Federation in 1958. When this federation broke up in 1962, Antigua and Barbuda became one of the West Indies Associated States in 1967, gaining full internal autonomy. The 1970s were a period of political debate, with the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM) of George Walter vying for independence, while the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), led by Vere Bird, favoured regional integration. Eventually, the country gained its independence in 1981, with Vere Bird becoming the first prime minister.

The independence of Antigua and Barbuda was recognised by the United States on the same day, 1 November 1981, when it raised the Consulate General in St. Johns to Embassy status. The country established itself as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with the current Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda being adopted upon independence. The executive branch is led by the Governor-General, who exercises the functions of the Monarch, and the Prime Minister, who is the head of government.

The first two decades following independence were politically dominated by the Bird family and the ABLP. While they provided political stability and boosted tourism, their governments were plagued by accusations of corruption, cronyism and financial malfeasance. The Bird dynasty ended in 1994, with the election of Winston Baldwin Spencer's United Progressive Party (UPP) in 2004.

The country's economy

Antigua and Barbuda is a prosperous nation in the Caribbean, thanks to its tourism industry and offshore financial services. The country's economy is service-based, with tourism and government services being the key sources of employment and income.

Tourism accounts for 80% of the country's GDP and is also the principal source of foreign exchange. The country is an attractive destination for affluent travellers, known for its luxury resorts. However, the tourism industry's reliance on the global market makes it vulnerable to downturns and natural disasters such as hurricanes.

To reduce this vulnerability, Antigua has been diversifying its economy, with a focus on developing the transportation, communications, and financial services sectors. Investment banking and financial services are an important part of the economy, with major international institutions such as the Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank having a presence in the country.

Agriculture, once the mainstay of the economy, now plays a smaller role, with most production directed towards the domestic market. The sector faces challenges due to limited water supply and labour shortages, as workers are drawn to the higher wages offered in tourism and construction.

Manufacturing comprises 2% of GDP and includes the production of bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.

The country's economic growth prospects are closely tied to income growth in industrialised countries, particularly the United States, which accounts for about one-third to one-half of tourist arrivals.

Antigua and Barbuda is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative and a member of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The country's currency is the East Caribbean Dollar.

Political history

Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean, consisting of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands. It is a unitary parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state. The country gained full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981, becoming the modern state of Antigua and Barbuda. Here is a detailed look at the political history of Antigua and Barbuda:

Early History and Colonisation

Antigua was first settled by archaic age hunter-gatherer Native Americans known as the Ciboney around 31000 BC. They were later succeeded by ceramic-using agriculturalists, the Saladoid people, who introduced agriculture to the islands. In 1493, Christopher Columbus surveyed the islands during his second voyage and named the larger island Santa Maria de la Antigua. However, early attempts by Europeans to settle the islands failed due to the Caribs' defences. England successfully colonised Antigua in 1632, with Thomas Warner as the first governor. Under British rule, the islands witnessed an influx of British colonists and African slaves, who soon came to vastly outnumber the European settlers. The English maintained control of the islands, successfully repulsing a French attack in 1666.

Slavery and the Road to Independence

The conditions endured by slaves on the islands were brutal, leading to several slave revolts in the 18th and 19th centuries. Slavery was eventually abolished in the British Empire in 1833, affecting the economy, which had relied heavily on sugarcane production. Following emancipation, the freed slaves continued to work on the plantations for meagre wages, as opportunities for economic advancement were limited by a lack of farming land and access to credit. During this time, Antigua served as the headquarters of the British Royal Navy Caribbean fleet, and the island's economy shifted from tobacco to sugarcane production, which became the economic backbone of the islands.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the islands faced natural disasters, including an earthquake in 1843 and a hurricane in 1847, further impacting their economy. During this period, discussions about the islands' future intensified, particularly between the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP), led by Vere Bird, and the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM) of George Walter.

Post-Independence Politics

On 1 November 1981, Antigua and Barbuda gained full independence from the United Kingdom, becoming a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The country opted to remain within the Commonwealth, retaining ties with the UK. Vere Bird, who had been a dominant figure in the country's politics since the 1950s, became the first prime minister of the new country. The first two decades of independence were marked by the political dominance of the Bird family and the ABLP, who were credited with providing political stability and boosting tourism. However, their governments were also marred by allegations of corruption, cronyism, and financial malfeasance.

In the 2004 Antiguan general election, the United Progressive Party (UPP) won, ending the ABLP's long-standing rule. Winston Baldwin Spencer became the prime minister, serving from 2004 to 2014. In 2014, the ABLP regained power under Gaston Browne, who remains the incumbent prime minister. In recent years, the country has faced challenges such as the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017 and ongoing discussions about transitioning to a republican system.

Geography and climate

Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Caribbean Sea, at the southern end of the Leeward Islands chain in the Lesser Antilles. The country consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands, including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, Prickly Pear, York, and Redonda. The capital, St. John's, is located on Antigua, while the principal city of Barbuda is Codrington.

Geography

Antigua and Barbuda are both low-lying islands, with their terrain influenced more by limestone formations than volcanic activity. The highest point in Antigua is Boggy Peak (also known as Mount Obama), which rises to 402 metres (1,319 feet) and is the remnant of a volcanic crater. The island of Barbuda is flat, with highlands rising to 44 metres (143 feet) at Lindsay Hill in the northeast. The uninhabited island of Redonda rises to a height of 1,000 feet (305 metres) and has very little level ground.

The shorelines of both Antigua and Barbuda are indented with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours, and are rimmed by reefs and shoals. The islands have few streams due to low rainfall and lack sufficient amounts of fresh groundwater.

Climate

Antigua and Barbuda have a tropical maritime climate, moderated by fairly constant northeast trade winds. The average annual rainfall is around 40 inches (1,000 mm) in Antigua and slightly less in Barbuda, with the wettest period generally between September and November. The islands experience low humidity and recurrent droughts, with temperatures averaging 27°C (80.6°F) and ranging from 23°C (73.4°F) in the winter to 30°C (86°F) in the summer and autumn. The coolest period is between December and February, while summer highs can reach 32°C (90°F).

Hurricanes strike the islands on average once a year between July and October, with the powerful Category 5 Hurricane Irma causing significant damage to Barbuda in September 2017.

Population and demographics

Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean, consisting of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands. It has a population of approximately 97,120 (2019 estimates), with 97% residing in Antigua. The country's capital, St. John's, is located on Antigua and is also its major city and largest port. Codrington, Barbuda's largest town, is home to nearly the entire population of Barbuda.

The population of Antigua and Barbuda is predominantly Black (91%), with a small percentage of people of mixed race (4.4%), White (1.7%-1.9%), and East Indian (0.7%-2.9%) descent. There is also a small Amerindian population, which has grown from 177 in 1991 to 214 in 2001 (0.3% of the total population). The remaining population includes people from the Middle East, China, and other ethnic backgrounds.

The country has a relatively low urban population, with only about 25% of the population living in urban areas, compared to the international average of 55%. The median age in Antigua and Barbuda is 35.9 years, and the country has a total fertility rate of 1.96 children per woman. The official language of the country is English, and the majority of the population (68.3%-77%) is Christian, with the Anglican denomination being the largest single denomination.

The adult literacy rate in Antigua and Barbuda is impressive, standing at approximately 99%. Education is compulsory and free for children between the ages of 5 and 16, and the country's educational system is modelled on the British system.

In terms of health, the life expectancy at birth in Antigua and Barbuda is 77.6 years, with a slightly higher life expectancy for females (79.9 years) than for males (77.3 years). Obesity is a concern, with an adult prevalence rate of 18.9%.

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