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Also known as: |
The Island of
365 Beaches. (Root: Waladli and Wa'onomi (Amerindian))
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Motto: |
Each Endeavouring All Achieving
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Location: |
Located in the Eastern Caribbean at the southern
end of the Leeward Islands, 40 km (25 miles) northeast
of Montserrat.
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History: |
Columbus landed on Antigua in 1493 and named the
island after the church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in
Seville, Spain. It was colonised by the English in 1632
and apart from a brief French occupation in 1667,
remained British until becoming an 'Associated State' in
1967. The islands attained full independence on November
1, 1981. In the late 18th century the islands served as
a major naval dockyard for the British fleet in the
Eastern Caribbean.
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Elections: |
Last elections were held in 2004. Next elections due
2009
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Ruling Party: |
United Progressive Party (UPP)
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Major Political Parties: |
Antigua Labour Party (ALP), United Progressive Party
(UPP), Barbuda People's Movement for a Change (BPMC),
Barbuda People's Movement (BPM)
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Head of State: |
Louisse Lake-Tack, Governor-General
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Head of Government:
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Elected to Office in 2004
PORTFOLIOS:
Barbuda Affairs, Information, Labour, Ecclesiastical Affairs,
National Security and Public Administration. |
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Airport: |
V. C. Bird International (Antigua)
Codrington (Barbuda)
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Status: |
Independent - 1 November 1981
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Capital: |
St. John's
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National Holidays: |
New Year's Day (01 January), Good Friday, Easter
Monday, Labour Day (First Monday in May), Whit Monday
(First Monday in June), Summer Carnival (Monday and
Tuesday of first week of August), Independence Day (01
November), Vere Cornwall Bird, Snr Day (09 December),
Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December).
Holidays that fall on a Sunday are observed the
following Monday
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Highest National Award:
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Order of the Nation
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Favourite dish: |
Antigua pepperpot
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CARICOM Membership: |
4 July 1974
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Web Page: |
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