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National Flag
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Facts about Antigua & Barbuda
Airport
Antigua - VC Bird International (ANU) | Annual Rainfall
45 inches | Area
Antigua - 108 sq miles/Barbuda - 62 sq miles | Area Code
268 | Banks
Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 1:00pm/3:00pm to
5:00pm Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm/3:00pm to 5:00pm | Capital City
Antigua - St John's
Barbuda - Codrington | Coordinates
17 03'N, 61 48'W | Currency
Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$)/US$ widely accepted.
Major credit cards widely accepted | Departure Tax
EC$50 (US$20) | Dress Code
Swimwear on the beach, shorts/summer wear during the day, evenings casual but smart, camouflage clothing prohibited | Driving
On the left, permit US$20 | Drugs
Illegal | Electricity
110/220 volts, 60 cycle | Exchange Rate
EC$2.70 - US$1.00 | Highest Point
Boggy Peak (1319 feet) | Language
English | Medical
Most hotels have a 24-hour doctor on call | Nudity
Topless on specific beaches only | Population
85 000 | Public Transport
Taxis (fixed fares), bus (privately operated), car rentals | Shopping
Monday - Saturday 8:00am to noon/1:00pm-5:00pm. | Smoking
No prohibitive legislation | Taxes
7% Government tax/tipping (10%) usually included | Telecommunications
Phone cards, internet access, cellular rentals | Temperature
Average 80F | Time Zone
Atlantic Standard Time | Water
Potable, bottled widely available |
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History
As with most of the islands of the Caribbean, Amerindians were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda around 2400 BC. Originally, the island of Antigua was named Wadadli by these Amerindians, and some locals still favour that name. Christopher Columbus was the first European to grace the shores of Antigua in 1493, at which time he named the island Santa Maria de la Antigua after a church in Seville, Spain. The early settlement by the Spanish was replaced by British rule in 1632, followed by a brief French period in 1666. Antigua's early economy was driven by sugar, which was in turn fueled by slavery. The islands gained independence from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981, but still remains a part of the British Commonwealth. A visit to Nelson's Dockyard in English Harbour should not be missed. Most of the buildings are still in use today as intimate hotels, shops, restaurants and other businesses. The old harbour now houses a busy marina, and all are located within a national park.
Geography
This twin island nation is located where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. Antigua is the largest and most populous of the islands, followed by Barbuda, which is located just to the north of Antigua. The islands share a warm, tropical climate year round. Nearby Redonda was annexed in the 1860s when its phosphate resources were discovered, but this island has been uninhabited since 1930. Together, Antigua & Barbuda have 365 beaches . The rarest snake in the world, the Antiguan Racer, is found on Bird Island, which is located just off the coast of Antigua. Sister island, Barbuda, is very flat and a nature lovers paradise. The island hosts nesting sites for countless species of bird and there is a frigate bird sanctuary . The island is well known for it's pink sand beaches and surrounding reefs with nearly 200 wrecks, making it ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving . Barbuda prides itself on it's pristine coastline and surrounding reefs. Fishing around the reefs may be done only from a Barbudan-owned boat. Anchoring on reefs is not allowed.
Economy
Tourism drives the economy. Agriculture focuses mainly on the domestic market due to limited water and labour. Manufacturing is largely in the assembly of products for export, products such as bedding, handicrafts and electronic components. The United States accounts for approximately one-third of all tourist arrivals to this nation.
Religion
74% of Antiguans are Christians, with about 44% being Anglican. The remainder are made up of Catholic, Methodist, Moravian, Pentecostal, Seventh-Day Adventist and Jehovah's Witnesses. The remaining 26% include Rastafari, Islam, Judaism, and Baha'i.
Language
The official language of Antigua and Barbuda is English, but many locals speak Antiguan Creole. The Barbudan accent is slightly different from that of the Antiguans. Spanish is also widely spoken in certain communities in Antigua where immigrants from the Dominican Republic reside in large numbers. Many of the words used in the Antiguan dialect are derived from English and African languages.
Sport
Cricket is the most popular sport, with Antigua hosting some of the matches for the 2007 Cricket World Cup plus many other local, regional and international matches. Soccer is growing in popularity, and Antigua has produced many talented athletes.
Entry Requirements
Citizens of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom require proof of citizenship in the form of a valid passport. Access to Antigua from the USA, UK, Canada and regional neighbours is via regular scheduled flights. There are daily air taxi services to Barbuda from Antigua, plus an efficient high speed ferry service. |
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The Travel Shop It's open 24/7. Get the best deals on flights, hotels and cruises. But that's not all. Buy brand name luggage, shoes, watches and sporting equipment and clothing, surfing gear and swimsuits. It's all available in The Travel Shop. Rum Punch Probably the best known rum cocktail in the world. An easy way to remember the recipe: one of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak! Check out more rum recipes here! Caribbean Wedding? What could be more romantic than a tropical wedding on a white sand beach fringed with palm trees? Find Wedding Requirements and Wedding Planners for each of the islands.
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