Antigua and Barbuda is a small island nation located in the Caribbean Sea. It is a twin-island country, with Antigua being the larger island and Barbuda being the smaller one. The capital and largest city is St. John's, located on the island of Antigua. English is the official language.

Antigua and Barbuda has a population of around 100,000 people, and the majority of the population is of African descent, with small minorities of European, Indian, and mixed-race ancestry. The country has a tropical climate, with temperatures that range from 25°C (77°F) to 30°C (86°F) throughout the year.

Antigua and Barbuda's economy is primarily based on tourism, with the country's white sandy beaches and clear blue waters attracting visitors from around the world. The country also has a well-developed financial services sector, with many offshore banks and financial institutions.

Antigua and Barbuda is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch serving as the ceremonial head of state. The country is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Antigua and Barbuda has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by African, European, and Caribbean traditions. The country has a variety of festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the Antigua Carnival in July and August and the Barbuda Caribana in June.

Despite its small size, Antigua and Barbuda is a well-developed country with a high standard of living and a low unemployment rate. The country is also known for its commitment to environmental protection, with many initiatives in place to promote sustainable tourism and protect the natural beauty of the islands.

National holiday
Independence Day, 1 November (1981)

Telephone Code
268

Local Emergency Phone
999, 911

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Currency (Code)
Eastern Caribbean dollars (XCD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B

Major Languages
English (official), Antiguan creole

Major Religions
Protestant 68.3%, Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested; additionally, traveler will need to present their US driver's license & IDP to local police to pay a special registration fee

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
17-Mile Beach; Nelson's Dockyard National Park; Dickenson Bay; Saint John's; Indian Town National Park (includes Devil's Bridge); Museum of Antigua and Barbuda

Major Sports
Soccer, cricket

Cultural Practices
Greet people when entering a shop or business; otherwise expect slow service or you might be ignored.

Tipping Guidelines
If the service charge is not automatically added to the bill, tip 10 - 15% in restaurants. Tip bellhops $1-2 (USD) per bag and the same per day for housekeeping. Taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare.

Souvenirs
Lavender jade/precious-gem jewelry, pottery, woven baskets, scrimshaw art, rum

Traditional Cuisine
Fungee — a cornmeal breadball or patty eaten with vegetable mash and a sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, and salted codfish

Country code top-level domain
.ag

Geography
Area
total: 443 sq km
land: 443 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

Natural resources
NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism

People and Society
Population
101,489 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
African descent 87.3%, mixed 4.7%, Hispanic 2.7%, White 1.6%, other 2.7%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

Languages
English (official), Antiguan Creole (an English-based creole)

Religions
Protestant 68.3% (Anglican 17.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 5.6%, Wesleyan Holiness 4.5%, Church of God 4.1%, Baptist 3.6%), Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2%, unspecified 5.5%, none 5.9% (2011 est.)

Population growth rate
1.13% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Saint John's

Economy
Economic overview
dual island-tourism and construction-driven economy; emerging “blue economy”; limited water supply and susceptibility to hurricanes limit activity; improving road infrastructure; friendly to foreign direct investment; looking at financial innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.783 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$19,100 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
tropical fruit, milk, mangoes/guavas, melons, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, limes, eggplants, onions

Industries
tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)

Exports
$749.476 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Poland 37%, Suriname 33%, United Arab Emirates 8% (2019)

Exports - commodities
ships, refined petroleum, precious/semi-precious metal scraps, rice, corn (2019)

Imports
$868.797 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
United States 39%, Poland 16%, China 7% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, cars, precious/semi-precious metals, recreational boats (2019)