Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Caribbean consisting of two islands with those names.

Its population is 85,000 (2009). Its capital, St. John's, is on Antigua and has a population of 26,000.

History

The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. English settlers arrived in Antigua in 1632 and Barbuda in 1661. The islands were part of the Leeward Islands federation from 1871 to 1956. They were given internal self-government in 1967 and independence in 1981.

Economy

The country is one of the most prosperous in the Caribbean. Its main industries are tourism, construction and light manufacturing. Recently, the Government has encouraged the setting up of Internet gaming sites.