Antigua & Barbuda Travel Guide

Full Name

none

Former Name

None

Capital City

Saint John's (Antigua)

Government Type

constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament

Climate

tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Geography

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor

Languages

English (official), local dialects

History

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib 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.

Currency

East Caribbean Dollar (XCD)