Antigua and Barbuda, the name of the country, is located in the northern part of the Lesser Antilles Islands in the Caribbean Sea. It has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 27 ℃. The average annual precipitation is about 1020 mm.
In 1493, Columbus arrived on his second voyage to America and named the island after the Church of Antigua in Seville, Spain. It was invaded by Spanish and French colonists from 1520 to 1629. It was occupied by Britain in 1632. In 1667, it became a British colony according to the Treaty of Breda. In 1967, it became an associated state of Britain and established an internal self-government. On November 1, 1981, it declared independence and became a member of the British Commonwealth.
It plays a leading role in the national economy. 35% of the labor force in China is engaged in tourism, with 3000 guest rooms. Tourism revenue accounts for 60% of GDP and 85% of the country's foreign exchange revenue. The total number of tourists in 2000 was about 206 000, an increase of 5% over the previous year. Mainly from North America, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean countries. In 2010, the GDP was 1 billion US dollars.
There are 384 kilometers of trunk roads, 780 kilometers of auxiliary roads and no railways in China. St. John, the capital, is a natural deep-water port with modern facilities, which can dock 10000 ton ocean going passenger and cargo ships. It is a regional and international freight center. Will bird airport can take off and land large jetliners. There are routes to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and all Commonwealth Caribbean countries. There are regular flights between Antigua and Barbuda every day.