General info
Antigua (pronounced /an-tee'ga) is an island in the Caribbean, part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda.
It is also known as Wadadli, which means approximately "our own". The island has a population of about 68,000 and is 54 miles in circumference,
with an area of 108 square miles. Over 24,000 people live in the capital of St. John's, at 17° 6' N. and 61° 45' W. Other leading population settlements are
All Saints (3,412) and Liberta (2,239), according to the 2001 Census. The capital is situated in the northwest, near to V.C. Bird International Airport,
and has a deep harbour which is able to accommodate large cruise ships. English Harbour on the southeastern coast is famed as a "hurricane hole" (protected shelter during violent storms) and the site of a restored
British colonial naval station. The latter is called "Nelson's Dockyard". Nelson was at the time a Captain and in correspondence made it clear he would prefer not to be there, but rather facing the French.
Today English Harbour and the neighbouring village of Falmouth are an internationally famous yachting and sailing destination and provisioning centre.
At the end of April and beginning of May Antigua Sailing Week, an annual world-class regatta started in 1967, brings many sailing vessels and sailors to the island to race and party.
Time Zone
Atlantic Standard Time, one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time and the same as Eastern Daylight Time. GMT -4. |
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Economy
Antigua's economy has become increasingly reliant upon tourism, and it markets itself as a luxury Caribbean escape.
Many hotels and resorts are located around the coastline, and the island's single airport is serviced by several major airlines including Virgin Atlantic,
British Airways, US Airways, American Airlines, Continental, Delta Air Lines, BWIA and Air Canada. The only regular service to Barbuda flies from VC Bird Airport.
The United States Air Force maintains the small Antigua Air Station adjacent to the airport.
The country's official currency is the East Caribbean Dollar. However, many prices in tourist oriented businesses are shown in US dollars.
The EC dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of $1 US = $2.67 EC.
Internet Hosting
Antigua is a recognized centre for online gambling companies. Antigua was one of the first nations to legalize,
license and regulate online gaming. Some countries, most notably the United States, argue that because the gaming transaction is
initiated in their jurisdictions that the act of online wagering is illegal. This argument has been repudiated by the World Trade Organization.
[1] However in 2006 the United States Congress voted to approve the Unlawful Internet Gaming Act which criminalizes the operations of offshore
gaming operators which take wagers from American-based gamblers.
It is worth noting that the United States Congress placed exemptions into the bill to protect American based providers of
internet-based gaming services and has only criminalized the activities of internet-gaming companies located outside of its borders.
Slysoft, a vendor of CD- and DVD-copying software designed to overcome anti-copy technologies is also operated from Antigua. |
