Antigua and Barbuda
A state on the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda, which are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, between North and South America. Total area — 441.6 km². Capital — St. John's (30,000). Administrative division — 8 districts. Population — 68,000 (2004), mainly of African descent. Official language — English. Religion: the majority of believers are Protestants (mainly Anglicans). Currency — East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents.
Has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR on January 5, 1990).
National holiday — November 1 — Independence Day (1981).
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent state, part of the Commonwealth headed by Great Britain. According to the constitution of 1981, the head of state is the British queen, represented by a governor-general (since 1993 — G. B. Carlisle). Legislative power belongs to a bicameral parliament (term of office — 5 years), consisting of a senate (17 appointed members) and a house of representatives, 17 deputies of which are elected by universal suffrage (in the last elections in March 2004, the UPP won, controlling the house of representatives with 13 seats). Executive power belongs to the government, headed by the prime minister (B. Spencer, leader of the UPP).
Political parties: Antigua Labour Party (ALP) — founded in the early 1940s, reflects the interests of the small and medium bourgeoisie. United Progressive Party (UPP) — the ruling party, formed in 1992 as a result of the merger of three parties — the United National Democratic Party, the Progressive Labour Movement, and the Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement (leader - B. Spencer). It has 13 seats in the house of representatives. The political platforms of the ALP and UPP lack significant conceptual differences. The ALP emphasizes attracting foreign investment, while the UPP focuses on promoting national private entrepreneurship. There are several other parties that currently do not have significant political influence.
Trade unions: Antigua Professional and Workers Union - established in 1940, closely associated with the ALP; Antigua Workers Union - established in 1967, aligned with the UPP; Antigua and Barbuda Civil Service Association, among others.
The expedition of Christopher Columbus reached Antigua in 1493. From 1632, it was a possession of England. In 1967, Antigua received the status of an "associated state with Great Britain," and on November 1, 1981, the islands of Antigua and Barbuda were proclaimed an independent state. In 1940, Great Britain granted the USA part of the island's territory for military air and naval bases for a period of 99 years. In 1994, simultaneously with the closure of the US embassy, the naval base was evacuated.
Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the UN (since 1981), OAS (since 1981), CARICOM, and other regional organizations, and has observer status in the Non-Aligned Movement.
The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is oriented towards tourism, which accounts for over 50% of foreign exchange earnings and 70% of employment. In industry (textiles, furniture, assembly of household appliances), 19% of GDP is generated, while in agriculture (sugar cane, cotton, citrus, and some other tropical fruits) — 4%.
Transport and services account for 76%. The government owns about 50% of the total national wealth and controls more than 75% of the land fund.
The banking and financial sector is rapidly developing. A number of offshore banks have been established.
Currently, the Antiguan authorities actively support a new promising direction in the economy — online casinos, in which 6% of the island's population is employed.
There are 250 km of paved roads. There is one international airport and a seaport (St. John's).
Main export items — raw sugar, cotton, citrus; imports — food products, timber, oil and petroleum products, machinery. Main trading partners — the USA, the UK, Canada, Japan, the PRC, and Caribbean countries.
External debt — $385 million. Unemployment — about 11%.
GDP per capita — $11,000 (2002). Literacy rate — 95% of the adult population.
Weekly newspapers: "Antigua Sun," "Outlet," "Nation," "Workers' Voice." There are radio and television stations.