The Bird family has controlled the islands since Vere C. Bird founded the Antigua Labor Party in the mid-1940s. While tourism and financial services have turned the country into one of the more prosperous in the Caribbean, law enforcement officials have charged that Antigua and Barbuda is a major center of money laundering, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling. Several scandals have tainted the Bird family, especially the 1995 conviction of Prime Minister Lester Bird's brother, Ivor, for cocaine smuggling.

In 2000, Antigua and 35 other offshore banking centers agreed to reforms meant to prevent money laundering.

In March 2004, the Bird political dynasty came to an end when labor activist Baldwin Spencer defeated Lester Bird, who had been prime minister since 1994.

Sovereign: Queen Elizabeth II (1952)

Governor-General: James Beethoven Carlisle (1993)

Prime Minister: Baldwin Spencer (2004)

Land area: 171 sq mi (443 sq km)

Population (2005 est.): 68,722 (growth rate: 0.6%); birth rate: 17.3/1000; infant mortality rate: 19.5/1000; life expectancy: 71.9; density per sq mi: 402

Capital and largest city (2003 est.): St. John's, 23,500

Other large cities: English Harbour, 2,900; Codrington (capital of Barbuda), est. pop. 870

Currency: East Caribbean dollar. US Dollars and € Euro are used. Major credit cards may be accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops. There are many places throughout the sailing areas to exchange money from cash, Travellers Cheques and Major Credit Cards.

Language: English (official), local dialects

Ethnicity/race: black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian

Religions: Christian (predominantly Anglican and other Protestant; some Roman Catholic)

Literacy rate: 89% (1960 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2002 est.): $750 million; per capita $11,000. Real growth rate: 3%. Inflation: 0.4% (2000 est.). Unemployment: 11% (2001 est.). Arable land: 18%. Agriculture: cotton, fruits, vegetables, bananas, coconuts, cucumbers, mangoes, sugarcane; livestock. Labor force: 30,000; commerce and services 82%, agriculture 11%, industry 7% (1983). Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances). Natural resources: negl; pleasant climate fosters tourism. Exports: $689 million (2002): petroleum products, manufactures, machinery and transport equipment, food and live animals. Imports: $692 million (2002 est.): food and live animals, machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, oil. Major trading partners: OECS, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S., UK, Canada.

Member of Commonwealth of Nations

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 28,000 (1996); mobile cellular: 1,300 (1996). Radio broadcast stations: AM 4, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998). Radios: 36,000 (1997). Television broadcast stations: 2 (1997). Televisions: 31,000 (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 16 (2000). Internet users: 5,000 (2001).

COMMUNICATIONS

All hotel front office desks provide telephone and fascimile services, with many also now providing internet access, and in room T.V’s.

Telephones

Telephones are also available in most hotel rooms, although if this is a requirement you should check at the time of booking your holiday or accommodation.
Long distance direct calls or worldwide collect calls are possible
The country code for Antigua is 268. Calling from the U.S.A or Caribbean must be prefixed with a 1 , calls from the U.K. must be prefixed with 001.

Phone cards for use in booths or residential phones are available at many stores around the island.
Many tri-band phones work in Antigua – check before coming if your cell operator has an agreement with any of the providers in Antigua – Cable and Wireless, A.P.U.A. P.C.S or Cingular. If you plan to make a lot of local calls or spend a significant amount of time in Antigua – it may be worth getting a pay as you go deal here. As long as your phone is unlocked (EC$50 locally), you will be able to get a SIM card and local telephone number. You can then buy phone cards locally to top up the phone.

Internet

Many private villas and apartments are now offering wireless internet access, as well as many hotels.
There are internet shops available around the country particularly in St. John’s, Jolly Harbour and English Harbour.
Television, Cable and Satellite

Television is available island wide and is generally provided in all hotel rooms and self catering accommodation:

The local TV station is called A.B.N. (Antigua and Barbuda Network) and evening news and weather bulletins run at 7pm every evening.
Most accommodation offers either cable or satellite TV with a selection of mainly Us stations including CNN, and Sports Channels along with either B.B.C. America or B.B.C. World.
DVD’s players are also widely available in many villas – please check on booking if this is a facility you require.

Post Offices

There are 4 post offices on island:
Airport

High Street in St. John’s (main sorting office)

Woods Shopping Mall

Nelson’s Dockyard

Opening hours are 8:15 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 — 3:30 pm on weekdays, except on Friday, when closing hour extends to 4:00 pm. Saturday 9:00am to 12pm
Global airmail services and courier services such as DHL and Federal Express are available.

Transportation: Railways: total: 77 km. Highways: total: 1,165 km (1999 est.); paved: 384 km; unpaved: 781 km. Ports and harbors: Saint John's. Airports: 3 (2001).

Antigua is not only an international airport but also a regional hub for the Eastern Caribbean. It is well worth considering a dual centre holiday with Antigua as one of the destinations along with one of the other nearby islands. Below are a list of the airlines currently flying into Antigua with local contact telephone numbers.

International Direct

Air Canada – Tel: 462 - 1147
American Airlines/American Eagle - Tel: 462 - 0950
BWIA International Airways - Tel: 480-2912
British Airways – Tel: 462-0876
British Midland - 0870 6070 222
Continental – Tel: 462-5355
US Airways – Tel: 800-622-1015
Virgin Atlantic - Tel: 560-2079


Caribbean Connections

LIAT from Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Nevis, St. Croix, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Vincent, San Juan, Trinidad – Tel: 480-5600
Carib Aviation – flying to Barbuda – Tel: 480-2400
Caribbean Star Airlines flying to many of the same destinations as LIAT – Tel: 480 - 2591
Caribbean Helicopters flying to Montserrat – Tel: 460-5900

Private Jet Clearance
There is a private jet customs clearance and immigration available. Tel:562-4347

Entry requirements for Antigua and Barbuda - Visitors to Antigua and Barbuda require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, confirmation of accommodation throughout the stay and sufficient funds for the duration of the stay. On arrival, the immigration officer must be satisfied that your reason for visiting Antigua and Barbuda is legitimate.

Passports & Immigration - U.S., Canadian, U.K. and passport holders of other European Union Country nationals require proof of citizenship - a valid passport, original or certified birth certificate. Other nationalities should contact the nearest tourist office for entry requirements.

-If you arrived in Antigua by sea and wish to depart by air, along with your ongoing ticket, you must have an official sign-off letter from the Skipper, releasing you to do so.

Visa Entry Requirements for Antigua and Barbuda

European Union citizens do not require a visa to enter Antigua and Barbuda on holiday or business. Persons visiting are permitted to stay as long as their business takes, provided that:

a) this is no longer than six months
b) they have an onward or return ticket
c) they have confirmation of accommodation
d) they can produce evidence of their ability to maintain themselves in Antigua and Barbuda

Persons requiring a visa for Antigua and Barbuda:
As this changes you can check out the latest information on this link including documentation requirements and payments.

Cruise ship visitors who would normally require a visa would not require one provided that they arrive in Antigua and Barbuda in the morning and depart the same evening.

Departure Tax

The departure tax payable by tourists when leaving Antigua is US$ 20.00 or EC$ 50.00 and for Antiguan citizens this is reduced to EC$ 35.00 . If you visit another island the day before flying home for example Montserrat the departure tax paid on that journey will be valid for your journey home.

Duty Free Allowances

The duty free allowance is as follows: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, 1 litre wine or spirits, 170ml (6ozs) perfume. Weapons of war and unprescribed drugs are prohibited.

CUSTOMS/ETIQUETTE

- Greetings - It is customary in Antigua to greet the people you meet by saying Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Night (Evening). Failure to greet people on entering an office, shop, hotel reception or bar may result in very slow service or initially being ignored. It is considered very rude by Antiguans to rush into your request without first taking the time to greet your fellow people. Once understood it is a very humbling lesson to learn and understand just how busy your life has become that you do not take the time to do this. This is a custom which is often discovered after many times of feeling ‘ignored’, but will become an important part of your knowledge of Antiguan People .if you want to find out about the island, its culture and its people. Try it… and see what happens. You’ll be delighted.

- Tipping/Gratuities - Tipping is generally accepted at 10-15% depending on the service, and of course you can reward with more if you can afford it and feel your service has been outstanding. Some restaurants & hotels will automatically add a 10% gratuity. Make sure you check your bill for this as every restaurant is different, and you can fall into the trap of paying service twice. There is also an 8.5% restaurant tax charged on the bill – don’t get them mixed up. If in doubt, just ask. Give porters and bellboys 50 cents per bag, taxi drivers 10-15% of the fare.

- Appropriate Attire - Antigua is a Christian Country with the majority of the population belonging to one or other of the many churches here. This makes for a conservative attitude towards dress. People like to dress up when attending important functions, church or shows. If you are in your hotel or villa, beach attire is appropriate, if however you take a trip into St. Johns or to a restaurant, casual attire as a minimum should be worn. Any revealing clothes will attract undue attention as it is deemed to be disrespectful. Some hotels and restaurants have stricter dress codes – so it is best to check before booking.

- Topless and nude sunbathing - To the average Antiguan topless sunbathing is not acceptable, and may attract unnecessary attention. That being said it is deemed ok to sunbathe topless at many hotels – although not always by the pool. Make sure you find out if there are any rules at your hotel. The only ‘official’ nudist beach is at the Hawksbill Resort on the North West Coast. It is the 4th beach away from the hotel and is safe form peeping toms. There are also many deserted beaches around the island where it is possible to find a secluded spot. Just be aware of general safety precautions if you do this – remember if you found the beach someone else can. Another option may be to charter a yacht – many of the skippers will be able to drop you at beaches only navigable by water.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Doctors, G.P’s, Hospitals & Clinics

There are a host of general practitioners and specialists on the island, along with a very well equipped testing clinic. Health care is generally considered to be adequate but many major conditions can not be treated. It is best to check before booking if you or one of your party have a requirement for treatment while on holiday here.

Many hotels have a G.P on the staff so check with them first, and if not you will be able to ask advice at the desk for a suitable G.P. recommendation. If staying in a villa or other self catering accommodation just pick up the telephone book and you will find a listing for many G.P’s.

There are two hospitals as follows:

Holberton Hospital – Queen Elizabeth Highway, St. John’s – 462 0251/2/3/4

Providing casualty department, maternity, radiology, pathology laboratory, pharmacy, intensive care, surgery, children’s ward, special care unit for premature babies.

Adelin Clinic (Private) - Fort Road, St John’s
- 462 0866/7

Providing for emergency care , minor surgeries & operations, as an alternative to the main hospital (Holberton): General, obstetrics & gynaecology, E.N.T. surgery, paediatrics, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, family medicine, internal medicine, anaesthesiology, radiology, plastic & reconstructive surgery and dentistry.

For emergency medical services you can call 999, 911 or 562-2433.

Pharmacies

There are a large number of pharmacies on island but concentrated in the city of St. John’s and most open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Saturday. However, Ceco Pharmacy, popularly known as "the 24 hour pharmacy" and located on High Street , is open seven days a week 8:15 am to midnight. They offer full prescription services. There are also pharmacies at Woods shopping centre and in Jolly Harbour. There are currently none in the English and Falmouth Harbour areas.

Inoculations and vaccinations

No vaccinations are required unless the visitor is arriving from an endemic area. It is however worth checking with the World Health Organisation website in case of any changes to this information .

http://www.who.int/ith/countrylist01.html#8

Hyperbaric Unit

There are no decompression chambers available on island. By air ambulance they are available at nearby Saba and in St. Thomas, and also Guadeloupe.

Dentistry

Again there are a number of dental surgeons in St John’s. In particular Dr Sengupta is happy to provide emergency appointments for visitors to the island. Telephone number: 464-9738 for emergencies or 462 9312/3 for an appointment.

SHOPPING

Shopping Hours

Normal shopping hours are Monday - Saturday 8:00am to noon and 1:00pm-5:00pm. Although many stores still close at noon on Thursdays.

Payment

Most stores accept both $EC and $US , but be sure to check when you ask a price (where it is not labelled) whether it is EC or US. It is not appropriate to bargain in shops and stores however it is expected at the Vendors Mall at Heritage Quay. Major credit cards are generally accepted in the Redcliffe and Heritage Quay shopping areas.

Getting Service

Again observance of Greeting people in the store on your entry will win you much better service than if you do not speak – it doesn’t matter whether you are intent on buying or merely browsing – a greeting will help to gain better service.

Supermarkets and Provisions

Most hotels have on property a variety store and gift shop for incidentals. Optionally there are supermarkets located throughout the island in various sizes.

There are many large supermarkets in and around St. John’s, at Woods Mall, Jolly Harbour and smaller but equally well stocked supermarkets in the English and Falmouth Harbour areas.

The fruit and vegetable market opens daily except Sundays selling fresh produce from both Antigua and imported. For more information take a look at Heritage Market.

If you are on a yacht or self catering in Antigua then you may want to order provisions to be delivered direct to you. Take a look at our food and drink provisioners for more information.