Antigua and Barbuda

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Economical characteristics

 * Currency: East Caribbean dollar (ISO code: XCD)
 * This country does not seem to have a central bank.
 * Central bank discount rate: 6.5% (31 December 2008)
 * Commercial banks lending rate: 10.43% (31 December 2008)
 * Stock of money (M1): $296.4 million (31 December 2008)
 * Quasi money (with M1 makes M2): $939.9 million (31 December 2008)

Links

 * Antigua and Barbuda on Wikipedia
 * BBC country profile