Changes

==Geography==

==Geography==

The islands are low-lying, with a highest elevation of 1,330 ft.  The climate is tropical maritime.

The islands are low-lying, with a highest elevation of 1,330 ft.  The climate is tropical maritime.

==People==

==People==

*Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities.

*Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities.

*Language: English.

*Language: English.

*Education (2005): Adult literacy--85.8%.

*Education (2005): Adult literacy—85.8%.

*Health (2004): Infant mortality rate--11.0/1,000. Life expectancy--men 70 years; women 74 years.

*Health (2004): Infant mortality rate—11.0/1,000. Life expectancy—men 70 years; women 74 years.

*Work force (2005): 30,000 (commerce and services, agriculture, other industry).

*Work force (2005): 30,000 (commerce and services, agriculture, other industry).

*Unemployment (2002): 13%.  

*Unemployment (2002): 13%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet. Antigua and Barbuda has a bicameral legislature: a 17-member Senate appointed by the governor general--mainly on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition--and a 17-member popularly elected House of Representatives. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House and conducts affairs of state with the cabinet. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the Parliament. Elections must be held at least every 5 years but may be called by the prime minister at any time. National elections were last held on March 23, 2004.  

As head of state, Queen Elizabeth II is represented in Antigua and Barbuda by a governor general who acts on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet. Antigua and Barbuda has a bicameral legislature: a 17-member Senate appointed by the governor general—mainly on the advice of the prime minister and the leader of the opposition—and a 17-member popularly elected House of Representatives. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party in the House and conducts affairs of state with the cabinet. The prime minister and the cabinet are responsible to the Parliament. Elections must be held at least every 5 years but may be called by the prime minister at any time. National elections were last held on March 23, 2004.  

Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the eastern Caribbean court system. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.  

Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the eastern Caribbean court system. Jurisprudence is based on English common law.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*Chief of State--Queen Elizabeth II

*Chief of State—Queen Elizabeth II

*Governor General--Sir Rodney Williams

*Governor General—Sir Rodney Williams

*Prime Minister--Gaston Browne

*Prime Minister—Gaston Browne

*Ambassador to the United States and the OAS--Deborah Mae Lovell

*Ambassador to the United States and the OAS—Deborah Mae Lovell

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Dr. John Ashe  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Dr. John Ashe  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

*Agriculture: Fish, cotton, livestock, vegetables, and pineapples.

*Agriculture: Fish, cotton, livestock, vegetables, and pineapples.

*Services: Tourism, banking, and other financial services.

*Services: Tourism, banking, and other financial services.

*Trade (2005): Exports--$58 million (merchandise) and $454 million (commercial services). Major markets--European Union (23.2%), United States (7.7%), Anguilla (7.0%), St. Kitts and Nevis (10.3%), Netherlands Antilles (23.4%). Imports--$497 million (merchandise) and $197 million (commercial services). Major suppliers--United States (48.9%), Netherlands Antilles (10.2%), European Union (11.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (10.9%), Canada (3.7%).  

*Trade (2005): Exports--$58 million (merchandise) and $454 million (commercial services). Major markets—European Union (23.2%), United States (7.7%), Anguilla (7.0%), St. Kitts and Nevis (10.3%), Netherlands Antilles (23.4%). Imports--$497 million (merchandise) and $197 million (commercial services). Major suppliers—United States (48.9%), Netherlands Antilles (10.2%), European Union (11.6%), Trinidad and Tobago (10.9%), Canada (3.7%).  

*Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.  

*Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.  

==History==

==History==

Antigua was first inhabited by the Siboney ("stone people"), whose settlements date at least to 2400 BC. The Arawaks--who originated in Venezuela and gradually migrated up the chain of islands now called the Lesser Antilles--succeeded the Siboney. The warlike Carib people drove the Arawaks from neighboring islands but apparently did not settle on either Antigua or Barbuda.  

Antigua was first inhabited by the Siboney ("stone people"), whose settlements date at least to 2400 BC. The Arawaks—who originated in Venezuela and gradually migrated up the chain of islands now called the Lesser Antilles—succeeded the Siboney. The warlike Carib people drove the Arawaks from neighboring islands but apparently did not settle on either Antigua or Barbuda.  

Christopher Columbus landed on the islands in 1493, naming the larger one "Santa Maria de la Antigua." The English colonized the islands in 1632. Sir Christopher Codrington established the first large sugar estate in Antigua in 1674, and leased Barbuda to raise provisions for his plantations. Barbuda's only town is named after him. Codrington and others brought slaves from Africa's west coast to work the plantations.  

Christopher Columbus landed on the islands in 1493, naming the larger one "Santa Maria de la Antigua." The English colonized the islands in 1632. Sir Christopher Codrington established the first large sugar estate in Antigua in 1674, and leased Barbuda to raise provisions for his plantations. Barbuda's only town is named after him. Codrington and others brought slaves from Africa's west coast to work the plantations.