Caribbean Community Information

Antigua & Barbuda:

The Siboney or stone people were the earliest inhabitants on Antigua dating back to around 2400 BC. Subsequently, the Arawaks migrated from the Guiana region of South America and settled on the island, and years later the Caribs took up residence on the island. In 1493, during his second voyage to the West Indies Columbus landed on one of the islands naming the larger of the two "Santa Maria de la Antigua" where he encountered the Arawaks. However, European settlers were unsuccessful in their quest to settle the islands due largely to the lack of an ample supply of fresh water and the Caribs resistance to colonization. The Spanish and French were the first to attempt to settle followed by the English who colonized the islands in 1632.

In 1674 Sir Christopher Codrington established the first large sugar estate in Antigua. He and his brother proceeded to lease Barbuda to raise money and provisions for their plantations. The Codrington plantations on Barbuda were used to produce food and to supply additional slave labour for the Codrington sugar plantations on Antigua. By the middle of the 18th century there were more than 150 cane-processing windmills dotting the island. Today almost 100 of these picturesque stone towers remain, although they now serve as homes, bars, restaurants and shops. The Codrington's became Barbuda's preeminent family and the only town on the island is named after them. At Betty's Hope, which was once Codrington's original sugar estate, tourists can visit a fully-restored sugar mill.

Originally, slaves were brought from the west coast of Africa to work on the plantations. After the abolition of slavery on August 1, 1834 the labourers remained economically dependent on the plantation owners. Economic opportunities for the freed slaves were limited due to a lack of farming land coupled with no access to credit, and the economy was based largely on sugar cultivation rather than manufacturing. Poor labor conditions persisted until 1939 when a member of a royal commission from Britain urged the formation of a trade union movement under the leadership of V.C. Bird.

Following the abolition of slavery Portuguese indentured immigrants were brought to fill the gap caused by the shortage of free labor. Later immigrants of Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian descent as well as a small number of Sephardic Jews were imported to work on the plantations.

Antigua is the largest island in the group of English-speaking Leeward Islands while Barbuda which was once a scavenger's paradise because so many ships wrecked on its reefs -- is now home to one of the region's most significant bird sanctuaries. Barbuda is one of the few islands in the Caribbean which is undeveloped making it appear deserted at times. With the exception of the few tourists on the island the island population consists largely of the graceful frigate bird. As the birds possess a marked preference for the northwest lagoon, Barbuda's seemingly endless white and pink sand beaches are left to the peaceful wanderings of those lucky enough to sojourn here.

Antigua has a relatively high GDP per capita in comparison to most other Caribbean nations. It has experienced solid growth since 2003, driven by a construction boom in hotels and housing which should wind down by the end of 2008. Tourism continues to dominate the economy, accounting for more than half of the island's GDP. The twin-island's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market which is constrained by a limited supply of freshwater and a severe labor shortage largely due to workers being lured towards the tourism and construction sectors (the latter two sectors accounts for about 74% of the labor force) with higher wages. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Prospects for economic growth in the medium-term will continue to depend on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which accounts for slightly more than one-third of tourist arrivals. Despite the government's adoption in 2004 of a fiscal reform programme, the islands are still saddled with a heavy debt burden, with a debt-to-GDP ratio exceeding 100%.

Antigua and Barbuda was one of the original members of the West Indies Federation (WIF). Following its collapse, the islands became associate members of the Commonwealth in 1967 and in 1981 the islands became a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and shortly afterward in the same year it achieved full independent status from the United Kingdom. V.C. Bird, now deceased, was the island's first Prime Minister, his son, Lester B. Bird, was elected to succeed him as prime minister. In 2004 Baldwin Spencer was elected to replace Lester Bird. Charges of cronyism, extortion, corruption, and avarice unequaled anywhere in the Caribbean plagued the islands under the Bird administration. Just as two generations of the Duvalier family led Haiti into a death spiral, likewise the Birds have led Antigua and Barbuda to the brink of economic disaster. Some 40 years of scandals and felonious behavior have created an ecosystem of corruption which the current government finds difficult to shake. Under the Spencer government, Spencer as well as some of his cabinet members find themselves facing charges of corruption and abuse of power, leading many Antiguans to wonder if they simply traded red Birds for blue Birds. Currently, there are no legal instruments to address anti-corruption in the country.

Antigua and Barbuda's location close to the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico make it an attractive transshipment point for narco-traffickers. To address these problems, the US and Antigua and Barbuda have signed a series of counter-narcotic, counter-crime treaties and agreements among which include a maritime law enforcement agreement (1995), subsequently amended to include over flight and order-to-land provisions (1996); a bilateral extradition treaty (1996); and a mutual legal assistance treaty (1996).

As a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) having achieved membership on 4th July 1974, Antigua and Barbuda supported efforts by the United States to implement UN Security Council Resolution 940, designed to facilitate the departure of Haiti's de facto authorities from power. The country agreed to contribute personnel to the multinational force, which restored the democratically elected government of Haiti in October 1994.

Despite high levels of corruption, extortion and cronyism the islands have a very high human development. According to the latest UNDP/Human Development Report, Antigua and Barbuda has been ranked for 2005, out of a total of 177 countries, at number 57 which places it at the number four ranking among CARICOM members with an index of 0.815. This ranking places Antigua and Barbuda in the high human development category.

Basic facts and figures
Capital city: Saint John's
GDP (2006): $961.85 million.
GDP growth rate (2005): 3.2%.
Per capita GDP (2005): $10,578.
HDI index/rank (1990): 0.832, ranking 46 among 173 countries.
HDI index/rank (2005): 0.815, ranking 57 among 177 countries.
Inflation (2005): 0.9%.
Population: 69,481
Life expectancy at birth (2005): 73.9 years
Public expenditure on health (as % of GDP, 2004): 3.4%
Ethnic composition: black 91%; mixed 4.4%, white 1.7% and other 2.9% (which includes Portuguese and Levantine Arab origin)
Literacy (1995-2005): 85.8%
Public expenditure on education (as % of GDP, 2002-05): 3.8%
Languages: English (official) and some local dialects spoken
Unemployment rate: 11%
Official Development Assistance (2006): US$3.28 million
Workers remittance and compensation (2006): US$9.0 million