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Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua & BarbudaAntigua & Barbuda

Today's Flag:

is Antigua and Barbuda, a Commonwealth Realm located in the heart of the Caribbean, east of Jamaica.  First colonized by British settlers landing on Antigua from St-Kitt's in 1632, Arawak-speaking Amerindians lived here 2,000 years ago, with evidence that others lived here up to 4,000 years ago.  In the early years, ginger, cotton, idigo and tobacco were harvested to support the colony.  Despite slavery being officially abolished in 1834, labour exploitation and social inequality continues to be an issue.  Later, the sugar cane industry was embedded with the establishment of almost 150 sugar mills.  Barbuda was a private lease of the Codrington family, later to become a Crown Colony and eventually a dependency of Antigua.  Its low-lying limestone has long been a hazard for shipping, which led to salvaging shipwrecks as a major contribution to its small-scale economy.  With the only good harbour under British Rule in the Caribbean, the Royal Navy established the West Indies Dockyard here in 1725.  In 1941 under Lend-Lease, the United States constructed a naval air station and army air force base in the islands, which injected an immense amount of capital and altered the economy forever.  Government of British Caribbean possessions in the area evolved from Crown Colony direct rule through the Leeward Islands Federation, and then the West Indies Federation, which collapsed in 1962.  As the Caribbean islands moved away from British governance, so has Antigua and Barbuda, becoming an associated state in 1967.  Full independence was achieved in 1981, while retaining the Crown as head of state.  Participation in the East Caribbean Central Bank since 1987 assures Antigua and Barbuda, as well as several other small islands of a stable currency and access to international banking facilities. With its legendary beaches, tropical climate and large investments in hotels and infrastructure following two disastrous hurricanes, tourism has become Antigua and Barbuda's most important industry, contributing over 80% of its GDP.  

Quick Facts:

Monarch: King Charles III

Title: Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Antigua and Barbuda and His other Realms and Territories. Head of the Commonwealth

Accession: 8 September 2022

Represented by Governor-General: His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams GCMG KGN KStJ MBBS PhD (h.c.)

Population: 100,007 (click here for current statistic)

Inhabitants of Antigua are called: Antiguans, Inhabitants of Barbuda are called: Barbudans

State Religion: none

Currency: XCF$, East Caribbean Dollarcurrent exchange rate

Capital: St-John's, Antigua

Population: 24,226 (worldometer, 8 Jan 2023)

Type of Government: Unitary Constitutional Monarchy

Governing Body:  Parliament = King + Senate + House of Representatives

Founded: 1 November 1981

Flag Adopted: 27 Feb 1967.  From the Government website: Designed by Mr. Reginald Samuel in a 1966. The seven point Golden Sun symbolises the dawn of a new era. Red: symbolises lifeblood of slave forefathers and dynamism of the people. Blue: symbolises hope. Black: symbolises the soil and African heritage. Gold, Blue and White: Antigua and Barbuda's tourist attraction - sun, sea and sand. "V": Victory at last!

Special National Holiday: Independence Day, 1 November

Maps of Antigua & Barbuda: gisgeography.com

            Today's Flag: ©1989-2024 DJ CLIFFORD,  All Rights Reserved