| Motto:
|
Each
Endeavouring All Achieving |
|
|
|
Coat
of Arms |
National
Flower (Dagger's Log, Agave Karatto Miller)
|
Flag |
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| Location: |
Located in the Eastern Caribbean at the southern
end of the Leeward Islands, 402 km (250 miles)
southeast of Puerto Rico. |
| 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 2004. Next elections
due 2009 |
| Ruling
Party: |
United Progressive Party (UPP) |
| Major
Political Parties: |
Antigua
Labour Party (ALP), United Progressive Party (UPP),
Barbuda People's Movement (BPM), Barbuda National
Party (BNP). |
| Head
of State: |
Sir
James Beethoven Carlisle, Governor-General |
| Head
of Government: |
|
| |
Hon.
Baldwin Spencer
Prime Minister
DATE
OF BIRTH: 8 October 1948
MARITAL
STATUS: Married
EDUCATION:
- Diploma
in Social Leadership - Coady International
Institute,
- Canada
Diploma in Labour and Economic Studies - Ruskin
College,
- Oxford
University Diploma in Labour and Industrial
Relation Systems - Oslo University, Norway
PROFESSIONAL/POLITICAL
CAREER:
- 1st
Vice President, Antigua and Barbuda Workers
Union
- Asst.
General Secretary, Antigua and Barbuda Workers
Union
- President,
Caribbean maritime and Aviation Council
- Parliamentary
Representative, St. John's Rural West Constituency
- Political
Leader, United Progressive Party
- Leader
of the Opposition in the House of Representative
- 2004
(24 March): Sworn in as Prime Minister
PORTFOLIOS:
Barbuda Affairs, Information, Labour, Ecclesiastical
Affairs, National Security and Public Administration.
|
| Economic
Summary: |
In
the late 1970s and 1980s, GDP increased by 7 per
cent per year, but growth slowed to an average
of half of this rate during the period 1990-1994.
In 1995 the productive sectors suffered extensive
damage caused by Hurricane Luis. The economy however
regained growth during the period 1996-1998, resulting
in an estimated increase of 2.8% in 1998.
Tourism is the main national income earner. Dry
climate and a large number of white sand beaches
play an important role in the growing container
cargo and cruise passenger traffic. Agriculture,
fishing and a growing manufacturing sector are
also contributing to national economic development.
|
| Airport: |
V. C. Bird International |
| Status: |
Independent - 1 November 1981 |
| Capital: |
St. John's |
| Area: |
442 km2 (170 miles2) |
| Population: |
72,310 (2000) |
| Currency: |
Eastern Caribbean Dollar (EC$) |
| GDP
Per Capita (at current prices): |
EC$24,811.6m
(1999) |
| Total
Exports: |
EC$40.4 (1999) |
| Total
Imports: |
EC$961.3m (1998) |
| Intra-Regional
Exports: |
EC$22.6m
(1999) |
| Intra-Regional
Imports: |
EC$121.0 (1999) |
| 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), CARICOM Day (First Monday
in July), Summer Carnival (Monday and Tuesday
of first week of August), Independence Day (01
November), 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)
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| Highest
National Award: |
Order of the Nation |
| Favourite
Dish: |
Antigua
pepperpot |
| Date
of CARICOM Membership: |
4 July 1974 |
| Government
web page: |
http://www.antiguabarbuda.gov.ag
http://www.antigua-barbuda.com
(Antigua & Barbuda High Commission in London)
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