With a total population smaller than many British towns, these two islands provide both a haven for tourists, and a strategically-important base for the US military.
{\B}{\C 0,0,255}Geography{\N}{\C 0,0,0}
{\B}Location:{\N} Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
{\B}Map references:{\N} Central America and the Caribbean
{\B}Area:{\N}
{\I}total area:{\N} 440 sq km
{\I}land area:{\N} 440 sq km
{\I}note:{\N} includes Redonda
{\B}Land boundaries:{\N} 0 km
{\B}Coastline:{\N} 153 km
{\B}Climate:{\N} tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
{\B}Terrain:{\N} mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher volcanic areas
{\B}Natural resources:{\N} negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism
{\B}Land use:{\N}
{\I}arable land:{\N} 18%
{\I}permanent crops:{\N} 0%
{\I}meadows and pastures:{\N} 7%
{\I}forest and woodland:{\N} 16%
{\I}other:{\N} 59%
{\B}Irrigated land:{\N} NA sq km
{\B}Environment:{\N}
{\I}current issues:{\N} water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
{\I}natural hazards:{\N} hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
{\I}international agreements:{\N} party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
{\I}conventional short form:{\N} Antigua and Barbuda
{\B}Digraph:{\N} AC
{\B}Type:{\N} parliamentary democracy
{\B}Capital:{\N} Saint John's
{\B}Administrative divisions:{\N} 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
{\B}Independence:{\N} 1 November 1981 (from UK)
{\B}National holiday:{\N} Independence Day, 1 November (1981)
{\B}Overview:{\N} The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism the most important determinant of economic performance. In 1993, tourism made a direct contribution to GDP of about 17%, and also spurred growth in other sectors such as construction and transport. While only accounting for roughly 5% of GDP in 1993, agricultural production increased by 4%. Tourist arrivals remained strong in 1994.
{\B}National product:{\N} GDP - purchasing power parity - $400 million (1993 est.)
{\B}National product real growth rate:{\N} 3.4% (1993)
{\B}National product per capita:{\N} $6,000 (1993 est.)
{\B}Agriculture:{\N} accounts for 5% of GDP; expanding output of cotton, fruits, vegetables, and livestock; other crops - bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; not self-sufficient in food
{\B}Economic aid:{\N}
{\I}recipient:{\N} US commitments (1985-88), $10 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $50 million
