Antigua and Barbuda and its 66 important Details for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams
Antigua and Barbuda and its Details Like , Capital, GDP, Currency, Geography, Economy, Defence, Culture, Natural resources, Habitat, Sports and all you want to know for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams.
Antigua and Barbuda and its Basic Details :
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of the country | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Capital | St. John’s |
| Independence day | November 1, 1981 |
| Major religions | Christianity |
| Currency | Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD) |
| Continent | North America |
| Top 5 Famous cities | St. John’s, All Saints, Liberta, Bolands, Potters |
| Top 10 Famous persons | Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, Sir Lester Bird, V.C. Bird Jr., Baldwin Spencer, Gaston Browne, Molwyn Joseph, Robin Yearwood, Joanne Massiah, Asot Michael, Melford Nicholas |
| Type of government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Main wars fought | Antigua Slave Conspiracy (1736), West Indies Campaign (World War II) |
| GDP | $1.69 billion (2020) |
| 5 popular tourist places | 1. English Harbour, 2. Nelson’s Dockyard, 3. Dickenson Bay, 4. Half Moon Bay, 5. Museum of Antigua and Barbuda |
Geography of Antigua and Barbuda :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Area (Sq. km) | Antigua: 280 sq. km; Barbuda: 161 sq. km |
| Population | Approximately 100,000 (as of recent estimates) |
| Main Mountain Ranges | Shekerley Mountains, Boggy Peak, Signal Hill |
| Main Rivers | Urlings River, Christian River |
| Main Lakes | None |
| Main Crops/Vegetation | Sugarcane, cotton, fruits, vegetables |
| Main Beaches | Dickenson Bay, Half Moon Bay, Darkwood Beach |
| Neighboring Countries | None (Island nation) |
| Nearby Sea/Ocean | Atlantic Ocean |
| Coastline Length | Approximately 153 km |
| Top 5 Natural Resources | Arable land, fish, renewable energy resources, tourism |
Economy of Antigua and Barbuda :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Major Industries | Tourism, Financial Services, Agriculture |
| Revenue Sources | Tourism, International Business, Agriculture |
| Top 10 Companies | Antigua Commercial Bank, Digicel, Liat Airlines |
| Per Capita Income | Approximately $17,000 (as of recent estimates) |
| Top 5 Imports | Food, Machinery, Chemicals, Fuel, Live Animals |
| Top 5 Exports | Machinery, Electronic Equipment, Beverages, Clothing |
| Total Gold Reserves | Not a significant contributor to the economy |
Defence Power of Antigua and Barbuda :
The Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF) is the military organization responsible for safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Antigua and Barbuda, a small Caribbean nation. Established in 1981, the ABDF consists of ground, naval, and air units. Its primary role is to defend the country’s territorial integrity, support law enforcement, and assist in disaster relief efforts.
The ground forces include the Antigua and Barbuda Regiment, primarily focusing on infantry duties. The maritime component, the Antigua and Barbuda Coast Guard, ensures maritime security, conducts search and rescue operations, and combats illicit activities in territorial waters. The ABDF also maintains a small air wing for transport and reconnaissance purposes.
While relatively small in size, the Defence Force plays a vital role in maintaining internal security and responding to regional security concerns. It collaborates with international partners and participates in joint exercises to enhance its capabilities.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Defence Budget | No data not available |
| Total active Defence Personnel | 240 Personnel only |
| Total Reserve Defence Personnel | 75 Personnel only |
Cultural of Antigua and Barbuda :
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Culture | Rich blend of African, British, and indigenous influences |
| Main Festivals | Carnival, Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua Charter Yacht Show, Independence Day, Christmas Carnival |
| Religious Places | St. John’s Cathedral, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Holy Family Cathedral, St. John the Divine Church, St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral |
| Arts and Dances | Antiguan Rhythm, Steelpan music, Antiguan calypso, Wadadli dancers, Caribbean rhythms |
| Languages | English (official), Antiguan Creole |
| Famous Food | Fungi with Pepperpot, Ducana, Saltfish and Chop-up, Conch Fritters, Seafood delicacies |
| UNESCO Buildings | Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Clarence House, Betty’s Hope, English Harbour |
Sports in Antigua and Barbuda :
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| National Game | Cricket |
| Main Sports | Cricket, Athletics, Soccer/Football, Sailing, Basketball |
| Top Athletes | Karanja Mack (Football), Peter Byers (Football), Joella Lloyd (Track and Field), Gayson Gregory (Football) |
| Top Sports Achievements | Played the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2004 (U19), Multiple medals in CARIFTA Games (Athletics), Participation in Olympics (Various sports) |
Natural Habitat and wild life of Antigua and Barbuda :
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| National Animal | Fallow Deer |
| National Bird | Frigate bird |
| Main Forests | None (limited woodland areas) |
| Recognized Natural Habitats | Frigate Bird Sanctuary on Barbuda, Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, Codrington Lagoon National Park, Great Bird Island Bird Sanctuary |
Biggest in the Antigua and Barbuda :
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Biggest in the Country | St. John’s, the capital city |
| Richest Man | Calvin Edward Ayre |
| Biggest Company | Antigua Commercial Bank |
| Tallest Building | Mount St. John’s (a new hospital) |
| Tallest Statue | VC Bird statue (stands 10 meters (33 feet) tall, and depicts a besuited middle-aged Bird, who himself was 2.1 meters or seven feet tall) |
| Biggest Bridge | Devil’s Bridge- Antigua |
| Tallest Mountain | Boggy Peak (was renamed Mount Obama from 2009 to 2016) |
| Longest River | Antigua and Barbuda does not have any permanent rivers. |
| Biggest Forest | Hansons Bay (Antigua) swamp |
| Biggest Lake | Potsworks Reservoir |
Brief History Of Antigua and Barbuda :
Overview of the history of Antigua and Barbuda:
Ancient Antigua and Barbuda:
The islands of Antigua and Barbuda were inhabited by the Siboney people around 2400 BC. Later, the Arawak and Carib tribes settled there around 1200 AD. Christopher Columbus arrived in 1493, naming the island Antigua after a church in Seville, Spain. The Caribs fiercely resisted European colonization for several centuries.
Medieval Period:
The islands saw intermittent attempts at colonization by the Spanish, French, and English. In 1632, the English established a permanent settlement on Antigua, followed by Barbuda in 1685. Sugar cultivation became the primary industry, leading to the importation of African slaves.
Modern Era:
The 18th century saw Antigua and Barbuda becoming valuable colonial assets for the British Empire. The islands were economically driven by sugar plantations using slave labor. In 1834, slavery was abolished, leading to a decline in the sugar industry. After the decline of sugar, the islands turned to other crops like cotton and pineapples.
Recent History:
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from Britain in 1981, with Vere Bird becoming the first prime minister. The islands faced economic challenges post-independence, but tourism and financial services gradually emerged as major contributors to the economy. In 2009, Boggy Peak on Antigua was renamed Mount Obama to honor the U.S. President Barack Obama.
Present Day:
Today, Antigua and Barbuda thrive as a sovereign nation in the Caribbean. Tourism remains a cornerstone of the economy, attracting visitors to its beautiful beaches, historical sites, and vibrant culture. The country has also gained recognition as a hub for international financial services.
Throughout its history, Antigua and Barbuda have navigated through colonialism, slavery, and post-independence challenges to emerge as an independent nation with a unique blend of cultural influences and a promising economic future.