Useful Notes / Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is just one of the many countries with the Name and Name pattern. As the name implies, it consists of the two main islands of Antigua and Barbuda and many smaller ones, part of the Leeward Islands chain of the eastern Caribbean.

It's a fun place; just the main island, Antigua, has about 365 beaches, one for each day. Despite its fun happenings, Antigua and Barbuda wasn't always this nice. This country speaks English, because the Spanish didn't want it, for two main reasons:

1) Scary Caribs who cannibalized often, and
2) Lack of water.

Nowadays, 91 percent of Antigua and Barbuda is African, descendants of slaves. They have asked for reparations for their ancestors' enslavement. Most of the population is in Antigua, by the way. The name of the country is Spanish for "Ancient and bearded".

Besides the two main islands, the biggest of the islets surrounding them is Redonda ("Rounded one"), named so by Christopher Columbus because from his POV it was, well, round (if he had circled it a bit more, he would have realized it's not that round). The island is completely uninhabited and yet it's very popular, not so much for the country but for the Kingdom of Redonda, a micronation whose foundation history lies in legends. The kingdom not only has three different claimants because of it, but it has also "ennobled" many famous writers, actors, directors and others.

Like most of the Caribbean, the country is prone to hurricanes. Hurricane Luis of 1995 caused damage totaling $350 million. Hurricane Irma of 2017 completely wrecked Barbuda and actually caused its entire population of some 1,800 people to evacuate to Antigua, leaving the island uninhabited for the first time in 300 years. However, by 2019, most of them have returned.

The country is one of the Commonwealth Realms, which means its head of state is Charles III.

Notable Antiguans and Barbudans:

• Josette Simon was born to an Antiguan father and an Anguillan mother.
• Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Her father is Saint Lucian, while her mother is Antiguan.
• Lucien Laviscount is of paternal Antiguan descent.

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The Antiguan/Barbudan flag

The red field stands for the people's energy. At the center is an inverted triangle containing an allegorical sunrise ushering the dawn of a new era, rising underneath a black sky (representing the people) and over the blue sea (blue can also symbolize hope) and white-sand shores. The overall "V"-shaped orientation of the flag signifies victory.

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The Antiguan/Barbudan national anthem

Fair Antigua and Barbuda!

We thy sons and daughters stand

Strong and firm in peace or danger

To safeguard our native land

We commit ourselves to building

A true nation brave and free;

Ever striving, ever seeking,

Dwell in love and unity

Raise the standard! Raise it boldly!

Answer now to duty's call

To the service of thy country,

Sparing nothing, giving all;

Gird your loins and join the battle

'Gainst fear, hate and poverty,

Each endeavouring, all achieving,

Live in peace where man is free.

God of nations, let Thy blessings

Fall upon this land of ours;

Rain and sunshine ever sending,

Fill her fields with crops and flowers;

We her children do implore Thee,

Give us strength, faith, loyalty,

Never failing, all enduring

To defend her liberty.

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Government

• Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
  • Monarch: Charles III
  • Governor-General: Sir Rodney Williams
  • Prime Minister: Gaston Browne

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Miscellaneous

• Capital and largest city: St. John's
• Population: 96,286
• Area: 440 km² (170 sq mi) (182nd)
• Currency: East Caribbean dollar ($) (XCD)
• ISO-3166-1 Code: AG
• Country calling code: 1 (area code 268)
• Highest point: Boggy Peak (402 m/1,319 ft) (180th)
• Lowest point: Caribbean Sea (-7,686 m/-25,217 ft)