Antigua is a constituent republic of Kalina Region.
| Antigua Republic | |
|---|---|
| Island of Antigua | |
| Constituent Republic of Vekllei | |
 |
|
| Part of the Kalina Region | |
| Antigua is the site of the original Commonwealth National University of the West Indies campus, founded in 1849. | |
| Population | 327,800 |
| Demographics |
80% Afro-Kalinago 13% Caribbean mixed 5% Scattered communities
2% other
|
| Economy | Fisheries & shipping Textiles & crafts, Food & drink |
| Produces | Sugar, Rum, Beer, Fish, Preserved Foods |
| Working week | 19.3 hours |
| Specialisation | Security & Defence |
| Accession | 1836, as part of the British Atlantic Territories |
| Area | 281 km² |
| Capital | Caribbea |
| Languages | English, Arawak Creole |
The Antiguan Republic is a constituent republic of Vekllei in the Kalina archipelago, northeast of Allia and south of Barbary. It is roughly triangular, with an intricate coastline ringed by smaller islands and islets. Redonda, a small uninhabited island used historically for guano mining, lies between Allia and Oualie.
Antigua was originally inhabited by Arawaks, who were displaced by Caribs in the 12th Century. Antigua still has a large indigenous Carib minority population today. It was discovered by Europeans in the 15th Century and colonised by the British 200 years later. Antigua acted as a gateway for British interests in the Caribbean, and became a very successful sugar plantation with the labour of enslaved Caribs and Africans. Production there was disturbed by slave rebellions, but remained lucrative until the abolishment of slavery in the 19th Century, from which it declined for the next 100 years.
In place of sugar, Antigua has had to leverage its history as an entrepôt and invested in its education sector. Antigua is the site of the original Commonwealth University of the West Indies ( CUWI) campus, founded in 1849. Today, education makes up most of the Antiguan economy, and is a primary destination for students relocating from smaller neighbouring islands like Allia and Karu. It is also a major sponsor of foreign exchange and overseas study for the wider Caribbean, and hosts several prestigious international schools. It is home to the headquarters of the Curriculum and Qualifications Council.
Antigua is mostly flat, with hills in its southwest culminating in Independence Peak at 400m. Settlements and agriculture cover most of the flat land, the largest of which is the capital, Caribbea. Its prosperous colleges and universities are located there, and the settlements leading southeast are involved in tropical crops and textiles. Cosgrove, in Antigua’s southwest coast, is the site of a major Universal Cotton factory, which serves as a regional ginning and spinning hub for the improved Sea Island cotton grown across the northern Kalina republics.
Fast hydrofoils leave Caribbea’s port daily, collecting students from neighbouring islands. V.C. Bird International is its major airport and has daily service to other parts of Kalina Region. Two main rail lines run across and around the island respectively, and both Caribbea and Cosgrove have tram networks. Caribbea is also home to Naval Station Antigua, the second-largest naval service base and dockyard in Kalina.
- Adhesives
- Ammunition
- Barley
- Electronic Components
- Fabric
- Fruit
- Glass
- Leather
- Molasses
- Palm Oil
- Paper
- Plastics
- Printing Ink
- Pulp
- Rare Earths
- Salt
- Sea Island Cotton
- Silk
- Sugar
- Timber
- Vegetables
- Vinegar
- Water
- Wheat
- Wool
Climate
Tropical, with a dry season from January to June and a wet season from July to November. Antigua receives less rainfall than most of its neighbours due to its lower elevation, and enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Hurricanes are a seasonal hazard.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 28° 22° 28° 22° 29° 23° 29° 23° 30° 25° 31° 25° 31° 25° 31° 26° 31° 25° 31° 24° 30° 24° 29° 23°
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun 28° 22° 28° 22° 29° 23° 29° 23° 30° 25° 31° 25° Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 31° 25° 31° 26° 31° 25° 31° 24° 30° 24° 29° 23°
Public Holidays
- New Year’s Day 1 Jan
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Commonwealth Day 1 May
- Whit Monday
- Emancipation Day First Mon in Aug
- Republic Day 1 Nov
- Christmas Day 25 Dec
- Boxing Day 26 Dec
- Universal Cotton Plant of the West Indies: Large textiles manufacturer that produces much of Vekllei’s clothing output in the Kalina region.
- Commonwealth Industrial Caribbean Bank: Modernist bank headquarters that regularly hosts visitors from the US and Central America.
- Antigua Recreational Grounds: Large cricket stadium and host of the North Kalina Regional Cup.
- Dickenson Bay: Beautiful white beach with old-fashioned promenade and arcade.
- Nelson’s Dockyard: Historic British naval dockyard open to the public, now part of Naval Station Antigua.
- Devil’s Bridge: Eroded limestone arches, rumoured to be the site of mass suicides during the slavery era.
- Antigua National Gallery: Cosmopolitan and modern art, and the stomping ground of emerging student artists.
- [[Curriculum and Qualifications Council]]: Develops and regulates the national curriculum and standard examinations in Vekllei.
- Antigua Naval Yard 4,200
- Tidal Office 380
- Marine Science Office 460
- Protocols Office 480
- Biomass Office 340
- Science Office 340
- Pupillage Office 140
- Representers College 160
- Commonwealth Forensic Science Laboratory
- Education 15.7%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 9.6%
- Skilled Trades & Construction 9.6%
- Security & Defence 9.3%
All 19 groups
Hide table
- Education 15.7%
- Agriculture, Land & Sea 9.6%
- Skilled Trades & Construction 9.6%
- Security & Defence 9.3%
| Occupation | Share | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 15.7% | 63,200 |
| Agriculture, Land & Sea | 9.6% | 38,700 |
| Skilled Trades & Construction | 9.6% | 38,700 |
| Security & Defence | 9.3% | 37,400 |
| Domestic | 9.0% | 36,400 |
| Healthcare | 8.1% | 32,400 |
| Industry | 6.5% | 26,300 |
| Government & Civil Administration | 4.7% | 18,900 |
| Arts & Media | 4.5% | 18,100 |
| Transport | 4.3% | 17,200 |
| Retail, Distribution & Logistics | 3.3% | 13,100 |
| Economic Planning | 2.6% | 10,600 |
| Sport & Recreation | 2.6% | 10,500 |
| Hospitality & Participatory Trades | 2.5% | 9,860 |
| Law & Justice | 2.0% | 7,980 |
| Science & Research | 1.8% | 7,080 |
| Information & Communications | 1.7% | 6,730 |
| Energy & Resources | 1.3% | 5,150 |
| Religious & Ceremonial | 0.9% | 3,500 |
Register estimates of posts located in the republic, rounded; figures under 50 suppressed. Includes 7,820 posts held by non-residents.
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1924
The Caribbean Quarterly journal is founded in Antigua to catalogue regional studies
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1849
Royal University of the West Indies is founded in Antigua, the predecessor to the University of Antigua
- 1695
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1492
Antigua is discovered by Europeans
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1200
Arawaks are displaced by Caribs in Antigua
- 1100