GENERAL
Capital
St. John’s.
Geography
As a country located in North America according to internetsailors, the island state consists of the flat, volcanic islands of Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda, which belong to the group of Leeward Islands in the northeastern Caribbean. Antigua’s coast is made up of more than 365 palm-fringed white sand beaches and numerous small bays and ports that were once volcanic craters. The interior is flat and fertile. The highest point on the island is Boggy Peak at 402 m. Barbuda, a shallow coral island 40 km north of Antigua, surrounded by reefs, is a still untouched natural paradise with fascinating exotic birds. The coastal waters are rich in shellfish and tropical fish. The uninhabited rocky island of Redonda, 55 km southwest of Antigua, is the smallest island in the group.
Government
Parliamentary monarchy (in the Commonwealth). Constitution of 1981. Bicameral parliament consisting of the House of Representatives (17 elected members) and the Senate (17 elected members). Barbuda has its own council, which has considerable powers. Independent from Great Britain since 1981.
Head of state
Queen Elizabeth II, represented by Governor General Rodney Williams, since August 2014.
Head of government
Gaston Browne, since June 2014.
Electricity
220/110 V, 60 Hz; American two-pole flat connectors. Adapter required. Some hotels also have 240 V, 50 Hz (for European two-pin flat plugs).
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time: CET -5
COMMUNICATION
Phone
International direct dialing.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800 and TDMA networks are available. Network operator: Cable & Wireless West Indies (Internet: www.cwwionline.com). Roaming agreements exist. Travelers with TDMA devices can make calls without prior notice, provided a credit card number is provided.
Internet
Internet provider: Cable & Wireless (Internet: www.cwantigua.com). Internet / email access is available at Cable & Wireless headquarters in Long Street, St. John’s.
Post Office
There is a poste restante counter in the St. John’s Post Office. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
In summer (May – November) hotel prices are much lower. Many hotels close in September. A government tax of 8.5% is added to all hotel bills. Several hotels offer handicapped accessible accommodations. All international hotels belong to the Antigua Hotels Association. Address: Island House, Newgate Street, PO Box 454, St. John’s. (Tel: 462 03 74. Internet: www.antiguahotels.org).
Categories: There is no official classification, but around 50% of the hotel rooms correspond to the standard for international 4 and 5 star hotels. Air conditioning or fan are part of the equipment. A full price list of all hotels and guest houses is available from the Tourist Office and at the Antigua airport.
ANTIGUA: Most of the larger hotels have rooms with air conditioning or fans. The menu is extensive. In the hotels of the higher class there are various leisure facilities such as tennis courts and water sports facilities. Evening entertainment is also provided. Pensions are cheaper in comparison, offer simple, clean accommodation, sometimes with meals. Apartments are also available.
BARBUDA: Less developed for tourism than Antigua. The rather austere beauty of the island has its very own character. There are currently three larger hotels as well as a few villas and guest houses.
CULTURE
Religion
Anglicans and Catholics.
Social rules of conduct
Clothing: Casual clothing is common, but sparse swimwear should be worn on the beach. If more elegant clothing is expected, this will be indicated in the invitation.
Manners: Relatives and good friends hug each other when greeting. Friends often visit each other spontaneously without prior notice, but acquaintances and business partners should only be visited by prior invitation. Gifts are only given on special occasions. Flowers are appropriate for more formal dining outings; You should only bring alcohol with you if you have been advised to do so.
The smoking is allowed almost everywhere in public.
Tip:10% service charge is sometimes included in hotel rates and restaurant bills, plus 8.5% government tax. If you are not sure whether the service is already included in the bill, you should ask. Otherwise, 10-15% tips are common in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect 10-15% of the fare, porters at the port or airport expect US $ 1 per item of luggage and housekeeping US $ 1 per day.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
The temperatures are warm all year round, the precipitation rate is relatively low. The water temperature averages 26-28 ° C. The hurricane season is June through November.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +1 268 Area (sqkm) 442 Population 92,436 Population density (per sqkm) 209 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 911