Geography

Economics

Demographics

Military

Politics

As an island state, Antigua and Barbuda is located on the island ring of the Antilles. It has Guadalupe to its south, Montserrat to its southwest and St. Kitts and Nevis to its east. Its landscape mainly consists of low terrain with the exception of volcanic mountains that rise more than 400 meters high.  

Famous for its beautiful sand beaches as well as culinary delicacies, Antigua and Barbuda is a popular holiday destination. Its name is derived from the Spanish explorers which named it Antigua, Spanish for ancient, after an old church in Spain, and Barbuda, Spanish for bearded, after either its bearded people or the beards that hang from fig trees. Since its discovery in 1493, it has been one of the larger hubs of the Caribbean slave trade as well as a center for sugar production. It has been formally colonized by Britain in the 16th century. As a result of its independence in 1981, the majority of its current population consists of direct descendants of slaves. 

It is estimated that Antigua and Barbuda is more than 91,000 square kilometer or 35,175 square miles. 

Surface

Surface (in square kilometers)

Surface (in square miles)

There are no known bodies of water residing permanently in Antigua and Barbuda. 

Surface (water)

Water Surface (in square kilometers)

Water Surface (in square miles)

Share of water (%)

However, Antigua and Barbuda provides the majority of its population with desalinated water. Other sources of water are temporary streams of water or underground water sources which are treated in water treatment plants. 

Due to its proximity to the equator, as well as being an island nation, Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical climate which is mostly humid throughout the year. It is known to have two different periods with a dry season from January to April and a rainy season from June to November. It is ranked as the 34th warmest states in the world with an average temperature of 26.2 degrees Celsius or 79.2 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Temperature

Its average highest temperature is 28.3 degrees Celsius or 82.9 degrees Fahrenheit which ranks it as the 81st warmest state in the world 

Average temperature (in Celcius)

Average temperature (in Farenheit)

Average high temperature (in Celcius)

Average high temperature (in Farenheit)

Its average lowest temperature is 23.7 degrees Celsius or 74.66 degrees Fahrenheit which ranks it as the 182nd coldest state in the world. 

Average low temperature (in Celcius)

Average low temperature (in Farenheit)

Rainfall

Even though Antigua and Barbuda enjoys warm weather it is also subject to rainy periods. With the majority of rainfall occurring in august, Antigua and Barbuda recieves an annual precipitation of 74.1 centimeters or 29.2 inches per year. 

Average rainfall (mm)

Average rainfall (inch)

Distance to other capitals (kilometers)

Distance to other capitals (miles)

Proximity

Its capital, St. John’s, has a population of 23,500 people. Its closest capital is Basseterre of St. Kitts and Nevis, which is approximately 93.4 kilometers or 58.1 miles from St. John’s. While the capital that is furthest removed from St. John’s is Dili from East Timor with a distance of 18,743 kilometers all 11,647 miles.  

Tourism has been the main source of income for Antigua and Barbuda which accounts for more than half of its GDP. Other economic sectors such as agriculture experience a labor shortage due to the lack of economic incentive compared to what the tourism sector provides. However, due to the crisis in 2008 as well as the corona crisis, tourism and subsequently its GDP has taken large hits. Presently its main products for exports are petroleum, cargo ships and furniture, which is mainly shipped to China and the United States. The main states that provide imported goods are the United States with a share of more than 50 percent and the Netherlands with 7.5 percent.  

Economic organizations

Gross Domestic Product (US$)

Gross Domestic Product per capita

Amount of memberships (economic organizations)

Absolute earnings for every 1$

Relative earnings

GDP in PPP per capita (in US$)

 

GDP in PPP per capita

Gross Domestic product (in million US$)

GDP per capita (in US$)

In total, Antigua and Barbuda is a member of 11 international economic organizations. This ranks Antigua and Barbuda is a 117th most economically interconnected states in the world. It is a member of the following economic organizations: 

  • Caribbean Development Bank 

  • International Monetary Fund 

  • World Bank Group 

  • World Customs Organization 

  • World Trade Organization 

  • Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States 

  • Caribbean Community 

  • Organization of Eastern Caribbean States 

  • ALBABolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America  

  • International Renewable Energy Agency 

  • Group of 77  

In total, Antigua and Barbuda has a GDP of more than US$1.5 billion. With this GDP, Antigua and Barbuda is ranked as the 177th highest GDP in the world. 

Its GDP per capita is 15,672 dollars. This ranks Antigua and Barbuda as the 53rd state with the highest GDP 

The figure below displays the average amount that inhabitant of other states earn for every 1$ that an average Antiguan citizen makes.

Due to its small surface area, its GDP per square kilometer corresponds to US$17 million, or US$44.2 million per square mile. This ranks Antigua and Barbuda as the 12th highest states per surface GDP. 

Surface GDP

GDP per square kilometer (in US$)

GDP per square mile(in US$)

Relative GDP in PPP

The purchase power parity of the Antigua and Barbuda citizens is ranked 64th, with a purchasing power of 22,600 US dollars. 

The relative Gross Domestic Product in Purchasing Power Parity compares the purchasing power of the Dominican Republic with the rest of the world.

 

 

 

The graph on the left displays the purchasing power parity of the rest of the world in relation to the purchasing power of 1$ in the Dominican Republic. 

The majority of the inhabitants of Antigua and Barbuda are of African descent. With a population of just under 100,000, it is ranked as the 40th least populated state in the world. Compared to its size, it is remarkable that about one in four citizens of Antigua and Barbuda live in urban areas. 

Population

Population density

It has a population of 1081 people per square kilometer or 2830 people per square mile.  

Emigration

Due to the fact that Antigua and Barbuda has had economic hardships, it has seen large amounts of emigration. It is estimated that around 45,000 people have left the island, which corresponds to approximately 43 percent of the total population, or 0.018 percent of the total emigration. 

Immigration

Antigua and Barbuda has a generous immigration policy which requires immigrants to either invest or donate to the state in order to obtain citizenship. In addition, citizens are required to be present in Antigua and Barbuda for five days a year. It is estimated that around 23,000 people have immigrated into Antigua and Barbuda which represents around 22 percent of the total population 

Literacy

The literacy rate in Antigua and Barbuda is estimated to be around 99 percent of the total population. However, this estimation has been based on the ability to read write the most basic literature. The share of people that is able to read and write more advanced literature is estimated to be around 66 percent. This ranks Antigua and Barbuda as the 165th most literate state in the world.  

Health

Healthcare is mainly provided by the government of Antigua and Barbuda and is mainly free of charge. The average life expectancy is around 77.5 years with women averaging about 78.5 years and men averaging around 76.2 years.  

Population density (in km2)

Population density (in mi2)

Religion

The government of Antigua and Barbuda provides freedom of religion to all religions within the state. However, there has been some discontent over the prohibition of cannabis by the adherents of Rastafarianism. Also, the Constitution requires a separation of church and state. This means that clergy are not allowed to obtain a political position within the state. It is estimated that Antigua and Barbuda is the 130th most multi religious state in the world. 

The largest religion within Antigua and Barbuda is Christianity. It is estimated that around 89 percent of the population adheres to the Christian faith, with the Anglican church as the largest religious denomination. As a result, this ranks Antigua and Barbuda as the 15th most Christian state in the world. 

Christianity (share of the total population)

Islam (share of the total population)

The share of adherents to Islam within Antigua and Barbuda is relatively small. It is estimated that around 600 Muslims reside within Antigua and Barbuda, which corresponds to around 0.5 percent of the total population. This ranks Antigua and Barbuda as the 135th most islamic state in the world. These Muslims mainly originate from Syria and Lebanon and are mainly represented by Islamic organizations. However, there are no known mosques in Antigua and Barbuda.  

There are no formal Buddhist organizations within Antigua and Barbuda, but there are some foreign companies that have hired Buddhist employees. It is estimated that around 0.02 percent of the population adheres to Buddhism.  

Buddhism (share of the total population)

The share of Hindus within Antigua and Barbuda has been around 0.26 percent of the total population with estimates of 400 Hindus. This population is mainly represented by Indian immigrants which make up a total of just over one percent of the total population as well as some Pakistani immigrants.  

Hinduism (share of the total population)

Judaism (share of the total population)

It is estimated that around 25 Jews resides within Antigua and Barbuda. There are no known organizations or synagogues within the state. This represent around 0.03 percent of the population adheres to Judaism. 

Other religions (share of the total population)

 other religions, such as Presbyterianism and Rastafarianism represent around 3.1 percent of the total population. 

Non-religious (share of the total population)

It is estimated that around 1.1 percent of the total population is irreligious. 

Military spending (in % of GDP)

Military spending

The budget for the military is around US$6 million which corresponds to 0.43 percent of its total GDP. This makes Antigua and Barbuda on the 168th most funded military in the world. 

The official name of the military of Antigua and Barbuda is the Royal Antigua and Barbuda defense force. Its main activities have been the protection of its territorial integrity, the prevention of drug smuggling and the protection of fishing rights. Other activities include the preservation of marine life, search and rescue operations and the assistance with natural disasters.

Military membership

It ranks as the 98th most militarily interconnected state in the world with a membership of four international military organizations. These military organizations are: 

  • Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons 
  • Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty 
  • International Atomic Energy Agency 
  • Non-Aligned Movement 

Military membership

International wars

Since its existence Antigua and Barbuda has not participated in any international wars 

Number of international wars fought

Military spending (in US$ million)

Membership (international political organizations)

Antigua and Barbuda is a member of nine international political organization. This ranks Antigua and Barbuda is the 147th most politically interconnected state in the world. The international political organizations of which Antigua and Barbuda is a member are: 

  • Member states of the United Nations 
  • International Labour Organization 
  • Organization of American States 
  • Association of Caribbean States 
  • Community of Latin American and Caribbean States 
  • Commonwealth of Nations 
  • International Criminal Court 
  • Interpol 
  • Alliance of Small Island States 

Political Membership

Democracy/dictatorship rating

Democracy/Dictatorship

The politics of Antigua and Barbuda is represented by a parliamentary representative democracy. With special exceptions to the ruling president. It is also a member of the Commonwealth nations which is represented by a Governor General which represents the British monarch.  

Antigua and Barbuda

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