TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

St. John's is Antigua's capital and commercial centre, and home to over a third of the country's population. St. John's tourist activity is confined to the harbourfront complexes of Heritage Quay, a favourite with cruise ship passengers, and the more rustic Redcliffe Quay, where shops, restaurants and galleries occupy restored stone buildings and wooden huts. There is a museum of Antigua and Barbuda in St John's that displays a collection of items on island history.
The English Harbour which once was a naval base, now Antigua's most popular tourist attraction. Numerous restored historical buildings, hilltop forts and museums cover most of the Harbor site. Among other attractions are the governor's Georgian-style rural residence and Sandy Heights with 18th century fort ruins and excellent views.
Betty's Hope was Antigua's first sugar plantation, built the 17-th century. Ruins of two stone windmills and a distillery still remain on the site. One windmill has been restored, and the caretaker offers tours for coming tourists.
The historic Nelson's Dockyard built in the 18th century, is Antigua's most popular attraction. The handsome historical buildings abandoned over 100 years ago have been converted into inns, shops, a market, restaurants, an art centre and a nautical museum.

TRAVEL TIPS

Tourists manily get around by taxi or tour operators. However for the tourist on an economic budget the bus service is fairly good. Most visits to Antigua and Barbuda are trouble-free. The locals are very friendly and respectable. Despite that you should take sensible precautions and be vigilant at all times. Avoid isolated areas, including beaches after dark. There has been a recent increase in robberies of tourists in Antigua. Do not carry large amounts of cash or jewellery. Valuables and travel documents should be left, where possible, in safety deposit boxes and hotel safes. Motorists drive on the left side in Antigua and Barbuda. Main roads are generally well maintained, although they lack road markings. Pot holes, even on main roads, and poorly marked speed bumps can catch the unwary. Overtaking on blind corners and cutting corners when turning right are commonplace. Stray animals are an additional hazard. Pavements are few and very narrow so pedestrians walk on the road. Few streets are lit at night. The national speed limit is 40mph and there is a limit of 20 mph in built up areas. In order to be able to drive a car in Antigua and Barbuda you must purchase a local driving licence, usually from the car hire company, at a cost of US$ 20 (EC$50). You must show your current driving licence to obtain this. There are severe penalties for all drug offences. It is an offence for anyone in Atigua and Barbuda, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Antigua. The dengue fever mosquito is found throughout Antigua and Barbuda. You should take normal precautions against mosquito bites, including using insect repellent during daylight hours and after sunset. You should be aware of the high prevalence of the HIV/AIDS virus in the Caribbean region and take precautions to avoid exposure to it. You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. Visa-free entry and stay for 1 month is granted for citizens from most developed countries. The hurricane season in Antigua and Barbuda normally runs from June to November.
Check the list of Embassies of Antigua and Barbuda to the World or Embassies of Other Nations to Antigua and Barbuda.

BRIEF HISTORY

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

GEOGRAPHY

Area: total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km); land: 442.6 sq km; water: 0 sq km.
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation.
Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas.
Natural Hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts.
Environmental Problems: water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly.

PEOPLE

Population: 70,000.
Median Age: total: 30 years; male: 29.5 years; female: 30.5 years.
Life Expectancy: male: 69.78 years, female: 74.66 years.
Fertility Rate: 2.24 children born per woman.
Major Ethnic Groups: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian.
Religions: Christian (predominantly Anglican with other Protestant, and some Roman Catholic).
Languages: English (official), local dialects.

GOVERNMENT

Type: constitutional parliamentary democracy.
Capital City: Saint John's.
Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time). Check current time.
National Holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981).
Chief of State: Queen of the UK represented by Governor.
Head of Government: Prime Minister.
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by Governor.
Legislative Branch: bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (17 seats) and the House of Representatives (17 seats).

ECONOMY

Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of GDP. Weak tourist arrival numbers since early 2000 have slowed the economy, however, and pressed the government into a tight fiscal corner. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals.
GDP: $750 million, Growth Rate: 3.8%, GDP Per Capita: $10,900.
Unemployment Rate: 11%
Agriculture Products: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock.
Major Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances).
Export Commodities: petroleum products 48%, manufactures 23%, machinery and transport equipment 17%, food and live animals 4%, other 8%.
Export Partners: Spain 34%, Germany 20.7%, Italy 7.7%, Singapore 5.8%, UK 4.9%.
Import Commodities: food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil.
Import Partners: US 21.1%, China 16.4%, Germany 13.3%, Singapore 12.7%, Spain 6.5%.
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD). Check current rate of exchange.

TRANSPORT

Airports: 3
Roadways: 1,165 km.
Major Ports and Terminals: Saint John's.