FACTS

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

Area (only Total) total: 442.6 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)

Climate: Tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation

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

Population: 84,522 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): English

Government type: constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government

Capital (Name): Saint John's

Capital (Time Difference): UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Independence: 1 November 1981 (from UK)

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