| Also known as: |
The Island of 365 Beaches.
(Root: Waladli and Wa'onomi (Amerindian)) |
| Motto: |
Each Endeavouring All Achieving
|
| Location: |
Located in the Eastern Caribbean at the
southern end of the Leeward Islands, 40 km (25 miles) northeast of
Montserrat.
|
| History: |
Columbus landed on Antigua in 1493 and named
the island after the church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Seville,
Spain. It was colonised by the English in 1632 and apart from a brief
French occupation in 1667, remained British until becoming an 'Associated
State' in 1967. The islands attained full independence on November
1, 1981. In the late 18th century the islands served as a major
naval dockyard for the British fleet in the Eastern Caribbean.
|
| Elections: |
Last elections were held in 2009.
Next elections due 2014
|
| Ruling Party: |
United Progressive Party (UPP)
|
| Major Political Parties: |
Antigua Labour Party (ALP), United Progressive
Party (UPP), Barbuda
People's Movement for a Change (BPMC), Barbuda People's
Movement
|
| Head of State: |
Dame
Louise Agnetha Lake-Tack, GCMG, DStJ, Governor-General
|
| Head of Government: (Antigua) |
The Honourable Winston Baldwin Spencer
Prime Minister
DATE OF BIRTH: 8 October 1948
MARITAL STATUS: Married
EDUCATION:
1967-1971: St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia,
Canada
1971-1973:
Diploma in Labour and Economic Studies - Ruskin College, Oxford University
1973-1974:
Diploma in Labour and Industrial Relation Systems - Oslo University,
Norway
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL CAREER:
1974-2002:
Asst. General Secretary, Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union
1980-1991:
1st Vice President,
Antigua and Barbuda Workers Union;
President, Caribbean Maritime and Aviation Council
1989-Present:
Parliamentary Representative, St. John's Rural West Constituency
1992-Present:
Political Leader, United Progressive Party
1989-2004:
Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representative
2004: Elected Prime Minister
2009: Re-elected Prime Minister
Portfolio:
Barbuda Affairs, Information Labour,
Ecclesiastical Affairs, National Security and Public
Administration
|
| Economic Summary: |
Tourism is the main national
income earner. Dry climate and a large number of white sand
beaches play an important role in the growing cargo and cruise
passenger traffic.
The services sector has steadily grown to become an
area of significant economic activity.
Agriculture, fishing and a growing manufacturing
sector also contribute to national economic development.
|
| Airport: |
V. C. Bird International
(Antigua)
Codrington (Barbuda)
|
| Status: |
Independent - 1 November 1981
|
| Capital: |
St. John's
|
| Area: |
442 km2 (170 miles2)
|
| Population: |
89,138
(2009)
|
| Currency |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$)
|
| GDP |
EC$2,209.8 Mn (2004) |
| GDP Per Capita: |
EC$27,575 (2004)
|
| Total Exports: |
EC$164.1 Mn (2004)
|
| Total Imports: |
EC$1,074.2 Mn (2004)
|
| Intra-Regional Exports: |
EC$7.6 Mn (2001)
|
| Intra-Regional Imports: |
EC$92.3 Mn (2001)
|
| Business Hours: |
Commercial: 08:00-12:00 hrs; 13:00-16:00 hrs
(Monday to Saturday). Closed on Thursday afternoons.
Government:
08:00-16:30 hrs. (Monday to Thursday); 08:00-15:00 hrs (Friday)
|
| National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January), Good Friday, Easter
Monday, Labour Day (First Monday in May), Whit Monday (First Monday
in June), Summer Carnival (Monday
and Tuesday of first week of August), Independence Day (01 November),
Vere Cornwall Bird, Snr Day (09 December), Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December). Holidays
that fall on a Sunday are observed the following Monday
|
| National Anthem: |
Fair Antigua and Barbuda
Fair Antigua and Barbuda
We thy sons and daughters stand
Strong and firm in peace or danger
To safeguard our native land
We commit, ourselves to building
A true nation, brave and free
Ever striving, ever seeking
Dwell in love and unity. Raise the standard! Raise it boldly!
Answer now to duty's call
To the service of your country
Sparing nothing, giving all
Gird your loins and join the battle
'Gainst fear, hate and poverty
Each endeavouring, all achieving
Live in peace where man is free. God of nations, let thy blessings
Fall upon this land of ours
Rain and sunshine ever sending
Fill her fields with crops and flowers
We her children do implore thee
Give us strength, faith, loyalty
Never failing, all enduring
To defend her liberty.
(Words by Novelle H. Richards; Music by Walter
P. Chambers)
|
| Highest National Award: |
Order of the Nation
|
| Favourite dish: |
Antigua pepperpot
|
| Date of CARICOM Membership: |
4 July 1974
|
| Government web page: |
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|
National Symbols: |
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|
(January 2012) |
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