Antigua and Barbuda Flag and Meaning
Flag of Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda Flag Meaning
The flag of Antigua and Barbuda has a white field symbolizing hope, two red fields for the will to change and innovation, a black field for the African origin and a blue field for the beautiful blue Caribbean Sea. The yellow rising sun on the flag symbolizes independence.
The flag of Antigua and Barbuda was the winning entry in a nationwide competition where there were over 600 entries submitted. The winning entry was created by the artist Reginald Samuels, who also worked as an art teacher. When Antigua and Barbuda became an independent nation in 1981, it was decided to keep Antigua’s old flag, made by Reginald Samuels as the national flag.
Antigua and Barbuda Overview
| Population | 100000 |
| Currency | East Caribbean Dollar |
| Area | 440 km² |
| Capital city | St. Johns |
| Population density | 227.2 residents/km² |
| HDI location | 52 |
The total area is made up of the largest island, Antigua, with 280 km², and its «sub-islands», Barbuda, 160 km² and Redonda at 2 km². The ears belong to the archipelago of Sotavento in the Little Antilles in the Caribbean. Antigua is known for its beautiful beaches with coral reefs and large sandbanks. Wide sandy beaches separate Antigua from the rest of the Caribbean islands as safe harbors exist. Barbuda is a coral island with a large lagoon on the western side of the island. It consists of a smaller volcano with a calcareous highland. Redonda is a small, uninhabited rocky island, rich in floral and wildlife. Sugar cane, cotton and tropical fruits are grown, just as you export seafood. The reduction of residential areas, caused by planting campaigns with wood varieties that outperform natural varieties, represents the major environmental problem for the majority of Caribbean island communities.
The People: The majority of residents are of African descent, 91.3%; mulattoes make up 3.7%; Europeans 2.4%; Syrian-Lebanese 0.6%; Indo-Pakistani 0.4%; Native Americans 0.3%; another 1.3%.
Religion: Protestants 73.7% – of which Anglicans make up 32.1%, Moravians 12%, Methodist 9.1%, Seventh-day Adventists 8.8%. The rest is made up of Catholics 10.8%; Jehovah’s Witnesses 1.2%; Waste generator 0.8%.
Language: English is the official language, but in everyday life a local dialect is used.
Political parties: Antigua Workers’ Party (ALP); The Progressive Progress Party; Barbuda People’s Party; the Democratic National Congress.
Social organizations: Antiguas Workers Union (AWU, Antiguas Workers Union); Antigua Trade and Labor Union (ATLU, Antigua Workers Union).
Official Name: Associated State of Antigua and Barbuda.
Capital: Johns, 31,000 residents. (2005).
Other important cities: Parham, 1,400 residents, Liberta 1,400 residents (2000).
Government: Sir Rodney Williams, Governor-General, appointed by the British Crown in August 2014.
Gaston Browne, Prime Minister since June 2014.
Two-chamber Senate system of 17 members, appointed by the Governor-General, and the Chamber of Deputies, consisting of 19 members, elected by general election, for a period of 5 years.
National Day: Independence Day, November 1 (1981).
Armed Forces: Consists of 90 Men (1994).
