A country in the Leeward Island group of the Caribbean, comprising the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda (uninhabited).

Physical

The main island, Antigua, comprises 280 sq km (108 sq miles) of fairly bare scrubland. Formed of volcanic rock in the south‐west and coral in the north and east, it is moderately hilly, rising to 405 m (1329 feet). The coastline is indented. Water is scarce.

Economy

The mainstay of the economy is upmarket tourism. Manufacturing industry includes bedding, handicrafts, and the assembly of electrical components for re‐export. There is little agriculture.

History

Antigua and Barbuda were colonized from the 17th century by the British, who brought slaves from Africa to work on the islands. From 1871 until 1956 the islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands. Antigua and Barbuda joined the West Indian Federation, and in 1967 became an Associated State of Britain, gaining internal autonomy. The country became fully independent in 1981. The Antiguan Labour Party (ALP) held power from 1976 until 2004, when it was defeated in a general election by the United Progressive Party (UPP). The UPP was re-elected in 2009. However, the impact of the world recession and the collapse of Antiguan-based Stanford banking empire made the government unpopular, and the ALP were returned with a large majority in the 2014 elections.