Part of the Leeward Islands chain, Antigua was in turn a Spanish, French, and British colony. British influence is still strong and most clearly revealed in the Antiguans' passion for cricket. Antigua has two dependencies: Barbuda, 50 km (30 miles) to the north, sporting a magnificent beach; and Redonda, 40 km (25 miles) west, an uninhabited rock with its own king.

Most of Antigua's population is descended from Africans, brought over between the 16th and 19th centuries. There are, in addition, a few Europeans and South Asians. Racial tensions are few. Life is based around the extended family. Since the 1960s the status of women has risen as a result of their greater access to education, and many are now entering the legal, financial, and medical professions. By Caribbean standards, wealth disparities are small.

Strengths

Tourism and construction of tourist hotels and infrastructure. Financial and communications services linked to offshore financial sector.

Weaknesses

Very little diversification makes Antigua vulnerable to downturns in the world tourism market. Evidence of offshore money laundering harms the country's reputation.

Antigua's multiparty democracy has been dominated for four decades by the Bird family. Vere Bird Sr., the veteran prime minister and ALP leader, retired in 1994, and a battle between his two sons to succeed him was won by Lester Bird; his elder brother Vere Jr. had in 1990 been removed from public office, accused of involvement in gun-running. Lester Bird led the ALP into its sixth consecutive term in 1999.

Antigua has tended to back US policy in the region, supporting both the US invasion of Grenada in 1983 and economic sanctions against Cuba.

There is a 170-strong defense force. Reports that the government had privately imported weaponry from the USA in 1998 were denied. Two military bases are leased to the USA.

Antigua has no strategic or commodity resources and has to import almost all its energy requirements.

Sewage from hotels causes major problems. Untreated effluent pollutes the sea, while uncontrolled disposal has killed valuable inshore fish stocks in the mangrove swamps, whose whole ecosystem is under threat from poorly planned hotel development.

Recent multimillion EC$ projects have expanded the international airport and given 140 km (90 miles) of roads all-weather surfaces.

By Caribbean standards, the health system is efficient, with easy access to the state-run clinics and hospitals. A new hospital has been built in St. John's.

Education is based on the former British selective system. Students go on to the University of the West Indies, or to study in the UK or the USA.

Murder is rare. Rape, armed robbery, and burglary are main concerns, as is offshore money laundering.

Wealthy Antiguans are active in running the thriving tourist industry; some are allegedly also involved in money laundering. Unemployment is relatively low and the average per capita income is among the highest in the Caribbean.

Antigua is especially popular with US cruise ship tourists. Among other draws are the annual international tennis championship, the islands' three golf courses, and the attraction of large duty-free shopping centers.

In 1667, Antigua became a British colony. Barbuda, formerly owned privately by the Codrington family, was annexed in 1860.

• 1951 Universal adult suffrage introduced.
• 1981 Independence from Britain; opposed by Barbudan secessionist movement.
• 1983 Supports US invasion of Grenada.
• 1994 Lester Bird elected prime minister.
• 1995 New taxes provoke protests.
• 1999 ALP wins sixth consecutive elections; Lester Bird remains prime minister.