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. Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbours and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbour

Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Geographic coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W

Area: total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km), including Redonda, 1.6 sq km

land: 442 sq km

Coastline: 153 km

Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m  highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m

Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts

Population: 67,448 (July 2002 est.)

Religions: Anglican (predominant), other Protestant, some Roman Catholic

Languages: English (official), local dialects

Government type: constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament

Capital: Saint John's

Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip

Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981)

Constitution: 1 November 1981

Legal system: based on English common law

Flag description: