Country: Antigua and Barbuda Official Name: Antigua and Barbuda Election Type: Parliamentary

• Area: Antigua--281 sq. km. (108 sq. mi.); Barbuda--161 sq. km. (62 sq. mi.).
  
• Cities: Capital--St. John's (pop. 30,000).
  
• Terrain: Generally low-lying, with highest elevation 405 m. (1,330 ft.).
  
• Climate: Tropical maritime.

People

• Nationality: Noun and adjective--Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s).
  
• Population: 82,800 (UN, 2007)
  
• Annual population growth rate (2005): 1.3%.
  
• Ethnic groups: Almost entirely of African origin; some of British, Portuguese, and
• Levantine Arab origin.
  
• Religions: Principally Anglican, with evangelical Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities.
  
• Language: English.
  
• Education (2005): Adult literacy--85.8%.
  
• Health (2006): Infant mortality rate--10/1,000. Life expectancy--men 70 years; women 74 years.
  
• Work force (2005): 30,000 (commerce and services, agriculture, other industry).
  
• Unemployment (2002): 13%.

Government

• Type: Parliamentary democracy; independent sovereign state within the Commonwealth.
  
• Constitution: 1981.
  
• Independence: November 1, 1981.
  
• Branches: Executive--governor general (representing Queen Elizabeth II, head of state), prime minister (head of government), cabinet. Legislative--bicameral Parliament. Judicial--magistrate's courts, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (High Court and Court of Appeals), Privy Council in London.
  Administrative subdivisions: Six parishes and two dependencies (Barbuda and Redonda).
  
• Political parties: Antigua Labour Party (ALP), United Progressive Party (UPP, majority), Barbuda People's Movement (BPM).
• Suffrage: Universal at 18.

Economy

• GDP (2007): $1.189 billion.
  
• GDP growth rate (2007): 3.8%.
  
• Per capita GDP (2007): $10,671.
  
• Inflation (2005): 0.9%.
  
• Natural resources: Negligible.
  
• Agriculture: Fish, cotton, livestock, vegetables, and pineapples.
  
• 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%).
  Official exchange rate: EC$2.70 = U.S. $1.

Principal Government Officials

• Chief of State - H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
  
• Governor General - H.E. Louise Agnetha Lake-Tack
  
• Prime Minister - Winston Baldwin Spencer

Description of electoral system

• The monarchy is hereditary.
• In the Senate, 17 members are appointed by the governor-general to serve 5-year terms.
• In the House of Representatives, 17 members are elected by simple majority vote in single-member constituencies to serve 5-year terms.

Main parties in the electoral race:

• Party: United Progressive Party (UPP)
  Leader: Baldwin SPENCER
  Seats in current House of Representatives election: 12
  
• Party: Antigua Labour Party (ALP)
  Leader: Lester Bryant BIRD
  Seats in current House of Representatives election: 4
  

Last Parliamentary election:

• Parliamentary elections were last held on March 9, 1999.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 67,897 (July 2003 est.)
• Registered Voters: 43,459 ( 2003 )