Antigua has 365 beautiful white sand beaches - one for each day of the
year - the main attractions of Antigua and Barbuda. These beaches are
clearly some of the most beautiful in the Carribean and because of the
wide variety available, overcrowding never poses a problem.
A wide variety of watersports is available on both islands. The islands
are rich in flora and fauna, exotic flowers, birds and fish and a startling
coral world lying offshore beneath the Caribbean Waters. Antigua is also
rich in culture and history and offers splendid sightseeing opportunities
to the visitor.
Economy
Tourism continues to be the dominant activity in the economy accounting
directly or indirectly for more than half of GDP.
In 1999 the budding offshore financial sector was seriously hurt by financial
sanctions imposed by the US and UK as a result of the loosening of its
money-laundering controls. The government has made efforts to comply with
international demands in order to get the sanctions lifted.
The dual island nation's agricultural production is mainly directed to
the domestic market; the sector is constrained by the limited water supply
and labor shortages that reflect the pull of higher wages in tourism and
construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export
with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.
Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend
on income growth in the industrialized world, especially in the US, which
accounts for about one-third of all tourist arrivals.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $524 million (1999 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 2.8% (1999 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $8,200 (1999 est.)
Currency: 1 East Caribbean dollar (EC$) = 100 cents
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (EC$) per US$1 - 2.7000 (fixed
rate since 1976)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
