Antigua & Barbuda |
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Antigua
and Barbuda is considered one of the Caribbean's most prosperous nations,
thanks to its tourism industry and a growing offshore financial services
sector. But the country is also vulnerable to hurricanes and has been the
subject of allegations of corruption and money laundering. A small nation of
some 67,000 inhabitants, Antigua and Barbuda's strength lies in its
tropical climate and good beaches, which have made it popular as a
stop-off point for US cruise ships and attracted large investments in
infrastructure. However, its
over-reliance on tourism also makes it vulnerable to downturns in the
world market and exacerbates the economic effects of seasonal hurricanes,
such as Hurricane Luis in 1995, which damaged 75% of homes and is said to
have set the country's development back by 10 years. For nearly four
decades Antigua and Barbuda's politics has been dominated by the Bird
family, with Vere Bird being the country's prime minister from
independence in 1981 until he was succeeded by his son, Lester, in 1994. But underlying this
stability has been a succession of scandals, including allegations of
involvement in gun-running and the conviction in 1995 of the current prime
minister's brother, Ivor, for cocaine smuggling. The Bird family has also
been accused of abuse of authority. Antigua and Barbuda
has also been described by the US as a major center for money laundering
by drug traffickers and Russian criminal gangs. ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA FACTS Population: 67,400 Capital: Saint John's Major language: English Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 76 years (women) Monetary unit: 1
East Caribbean dollar = 100 cents Main exports: Petroleum products, manufactured goods, foodstuffs and
livestock, machinery, transport equipment Average annual income: US
$$9,190 Internet domain: .ag International dialing code: +1268
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