Caribbean, Leeward Islands.

GMT - 4.

Antigua: 280 sq km (108 sq miles); Barbuda: 161 sq km (62 sq miles); Redonda: 1.6 sq km (0.6 sq miles). Total: 441.6 sq km (170.5 sq miles).

77,426 (2001).

175.3 per sq km.

St John’s. Population: 24,000 (UN estimate 2001).

Antigua & Barbuda comprises three islands; Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. Low-lying and volcanic in origin, they are part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean. Antigua’s coastline curves into a multitude of coves and harbours (they were once volcanic craters) and there are more than 365 beaches of fine white sand, fringed with palms. The island’s highest point is Boggy Peak (402m, 1318ft); its capital is St John’s. Barbuda lies 40km (25 miles) north of Antigua and is an unspoiled natural haven for wild deer and exotic birds. Its 8km- (5 mile-) long beach is reputed to be among the most beautiful in the world. The island’s village capital, Codrington, was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda from the British Crown for the price of ’one fat pig per year if asked for’. There are excellent beaches and the ruins of some of the earliest plantations in the West Indies. The coastal waters are rich with all types of crustaceans and tropical fish. Redonda, the smallest in the group, is little more than an uninhabited rocky islet. It lies 40km (25 miles) southwest of Antigua.

Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy, with the British Sovereign as Head of State. The Prime Minister advises on the appointment of the Governor General, who represents the Sovereign. Parliament has supreme legislative power and comprises the Senate, with 17 appointed members, and the House of Representatives, with 17 members directly elected from single-member constituencies. The judiciary is fully autonomous and Antigua and Barbuda shares it with five other Eastern Caribbean states. Barbuda has its own local council with wide-ranging powers.

Constitutional monarchy. Gained internal full independence in 1981. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Sir James Carlisle since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer since 2004. Recent history: Antigua & Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy, with the British Sovereign as Head of State. The Prime Minister advises on the appointment of the Governor General, who represents the Sovereign. Parliament has supreme legislative power and comprises the Senate, with 17 appointed members, and the House of Representatives, with 17 members directly elected from single-member constituencies. The judiciary is fully autonomous and Antigua and Barbuda shares it with five other Eastern Caribbean states. Barbuda has its own local council with wide-ranging powers. Except for a brief spell in opposition during the 1970s, Vere C Bird and his Antiguan Labour Party (ALP) held power continuously from 1946 – first as Chief Minister, later as Prime Minister – until 1994. He was then replaced by his son, Lester, after the ALP won the March 1994 poll (albeit with a sharply reduced majority). Lester Bird retained the post at the most recent poll, held in March 1999, at which the ALP recovered some of the ground lost five years previously and now holds 12 of the House of Representatives’ 17 seats.

English is the official language. English patois is widely spoken.

Predominantly Anglican but also Methodist, Moravian, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and others.

Dress is informal unless formal dress is specifically requested. It is not acceptable to wear scanty clothing or beachwear in towns or villages. It is an offence for anyone, including children, to dress in camouflage clothing. Relatives and good friends generally embrace. Friends tend to drop by unannounced, but an invitation is necessary for acquaintances or business associates. Although gifts will generally be well received, they are normally only given on celebratory occasions. Flowers are appropriate for dinner parties; bring a bottle only when specifically requested. Smoking is accepted in most public places. Certain homosexual acts are illegal.

220/110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs. Some hotels also have outlets for 240 volts AC; in this case European-style, two-pin plugs are used.