Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua, the larger island, is home to the capital Saint John's and the majority of the population. It was a major sugar-producing colony under British rule from the 17th century, and its natural deep-water harbour made English Harbour a principal base for the Royal Navy in the Caribbean. Nelson's Dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains one of the best-preserved Georgian-era naval facilities in the world.

Tourism is the cornerstone of the modern economy, accounting for the majority of GDP and employment. Antigua's combination of sheltered bays, trade winds, and sailing culture has made it a world capital of yachting; Antigua Sailing Week draws participants from across the globe. Barbuda, the smaller sister island, is known for its pink-sand beaches and the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, one of the largest nesting colonies of magnificent frigatebirds in the Western Hemisphere.