TNAG-0831-FCO40-1039-Commonwealth-Parliamentary-Association-(CPA)-annual-conferen-1979 — Page 32

ANTIGUA

General

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The island of Antigua has an area of 108 square miles and a population of around 65,000. Its two dependencies are Barbuda, 25 miles to the north with an area of 62 square miles and a population of around 1,200 and Redonda, 25 miles south- west, an uninhabited rock islet with an area of half a square mile. St John's is the capital and commercial centre with an estimated population of 25,000. Antigua was discovered by Columbus in 1493. The first permanent settlement was made by the English in 1632 after earlier attempts by the Spanish and French. For a short time it was in French occupation but has remained a British possession since 1667 when it was ceded to the English by the Treaty of Breda.

Flat- Antigua can be divided into three distinct zones. topped mountains of volcanic origin rising to 1,000 feet are predominant in the south-west where the characteristic vegetation is mixed ever-green-deciduous forest. Beyond the volcanic region is a central plain with deep clay topsoils

In the north and which is the principal agricultural area. north-east the plain gives way to a series of rolling limestone hills rarely exceeding 300 feet, which support little but scrub vegetation. Antigua has no rivers and only two perennial streams. Barbuda is an island of coral limestone foundation. A distinctive feature is a large shallow lagoon on the west side of the island.

Political

In the Antigua has been an Associated £tate since 1967. February 1976 General Election, Mr V C Bird's Antigua Labour larty was returned to power, gaining 11 of the 17 seats, after five years in opposition; Mr Bird, a veteran politician, was

Mr Bird previously Chief Minister/Premier from 1956 to 1971. incrcased his Government's strength to 12 by inviting the independent MP for Barbuda to become Minister for Barbuda Affair

The result has reduced the prospects for early independenc one of the issues on which former Fremier George Walter and his Progressive Labour Movement campaigned.

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