Antigua: Almanac

Official Names: Antigua.
Capital: St. John’s.
Population: Antigua’s population is approximately 67,000 with about 30,000 residing in and around the capital of St. John’s.
Total Area: 108 sq. mi / 280 sq. km. Island of Antigua is the largest of the British Leewards, located south of the islands of Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts and St. Martin and north of Montserrat and Guadeloupe.
Languages: The official language of the country is English, although the native patois is heavy.
Climate: Tropical. Antigua's temperatures average betwenn 76°F/24°C and 83°F/28°C year-round. It is one of the driest islands in the Caribbean, receiving only about 45 inches / 116 cm of rainfall per year.
Economy: Tourism (the main economic activity), agriculture and manufacturing.
Government: Antigua and Barbuda has a bicameral legislature: a 17-member Senate appointed by the governor general 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 five years, but may be called by the prime minister at any time. Antigua and Barbuda has a multiparty political system, with a long history of hard fought elections, two of which have resulted in peaceful changes of government.
Religions: Christianity, mostly Anglican, is the religion of the vast majority. There are also Roman Catholics, Methodists. Lutherans, Moravians, Pentecostalists, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists, and members of the Salvation Army.
Currency: The currency in use is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (also known as the "beeWee") which is linked to the United States dollar at the official exchange rate of US $1.00 = EC $2.68.
Time Zone: GMT minus - 4 hours (winter) / - 5 hours (summer).
Telecommunications: Area code is 268 for the entire island.
Electricity: 220/110 volts AC, 60 Hz; American style 2 pin plugs. Most hotels operate with US standard voltage (110V).