Capital: Saint John's
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico (2.5 time sthe size of Washington, DC)
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
Americans living in or visiting
Antigua and Barbuda are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has jurisdiction over Antigua and Barbuda, and obtain updated information on travel and security in Antigua and Barbuda. The Consular Section is located in the American Life Insurance Company (ALICO)) Building, Cheapside, Bridgetown, Barbados, telephone (246) 431-0225 or FAX (246) 431-0179. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday, except local and U.S. holidays, 8:00am-4:00pm. U.S. citizens may also register with the U.S. Consular Agent in Antigua, whose address is Bluff House, Pigeon Point, English Harbour, telephone (268) 463-6531, FAX (268) 460-1569, or email (no caps) ryderj@candw.ag. The Consular Agent’s hours of operation are Monday-Friday, except local and U.S. holidays, 9:00am-4:00pm (please call for appointments).
Background:
The islands of Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Some 3,000 refugees fleeing a volcanic eruption on nearby Montserrat have settled in
Antigua and Barbuda since 1995.
Ethnic Groups:
black, British, Portuguese, Lebanese, Syrian
Language:
English (official), local dialects
Currency:
XCD
East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
East Caribbean dollars per US dollar - 2.7000 (fixed rate since 1976)
Climate:
Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Population:
66,970 (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Anglican (predominant), other Protestant, some Roman Catholic
Medical:
Medical care is limited. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States.
Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax: (202) 647-3000.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Antigua and Barbuda is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
fair
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
fair
Driving in Antigua and Barbuda is on the left-hand side of the road, as in the United Kingdom. Roads are narrow and in poor condition. There is relatively little police enforcement of traffic regulations. The condition of the roads (in urban areas, fair to poor and in rural areas, poor) and the speed at which many persons drive lead to serious traffic accidents. The relative safety of public transportation is fair to poor. Buses and vans are frequently crowded and travel at excessive speeds. More detailed information on roads and traffic safety can be obtained from the Antigua Tourist Board, telephone (262) 462-0480, or the Director General of Tourism, telephone (262) 462-1005.
For specific information concerning Antigua and Barbuda driver's permits, vehicle inspection, road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the Antigua and Barbuda National Tourist Organization offices in New York via the Internet at the Embassy website.
