Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and later became a British settlement. Under Lord Nelson, it became Britain’s main naval base from which it patrolled the West Indies.
Antigua is 108 sq miles or 279.7 sq km, Barbuda is 62 sq miles or 160.6 sq km. Antigua and Barbuda combined is 170 sq miles or 440.3 sq km. Antigua and its flatland topography were well suited to produce its early crops of tobacco, cotton and ginger. The main industry, however, developed into sugar cane farming which lasted for over 200 years. Today, with its 38-year independence from Britain, Antigua’s key industry is a tourism and related service industries. The next largest employers are the financial services industry and the government.