Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda are located in the Caribbean to the north of the
Antilles. An area of 442 square kilometers is home to a population
of 77,000, most of whom are of African descent. The majority of the
population profess to be Christian,, and English is the primary
language. The currency is the East Caribbean dollar and the capital
is St. John.
National Flag
The national flag consists of three triangles, two red and one that
is black, blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun. Black
symbolizes the people of this island nation, red represents the warm
blood of the people, and the "V" shape symbolizes power and victory.
The yellow sun represents the dawn of a new era and blue symbolizes
hope. Together, yellow, blue and white symbolize the island's
abundant resources.
History
1495, when Columbus reached the Americas second sailing the islands,
and in Seville, Spain, the church named the island of Antigua.
Between 1520-1629, the islands were invaded by Spanish and French
colonialists. In 1632 they was occupied by Britain, and in 1667,
under the Treaty of Breda, officially became a British colony. In
1967 they became a British Associated State and established an
internal self-government. On November 1, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda
declared independence and joined the Commonwealth.
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