vember (1981)

Constitution: 1 November 1981

Legal system: based on English common law

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952),
represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE (since NA 1993)
head of government: Prime Minister Lester Bryant BIRD (since 8 March
1994)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the governor general on
the advice of the prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament
Senate: 17 member body appointed by the governor general
House of Representatives: elections last held 8 March 1994 (next to be
held NA 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (17
total) ALP 11, UPP 5, independent 1

Judicial branch: Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party (ALP), Lester
Bryant BIRD; United Progressive Party (UPP), Baldwin SPENCER

Other political or pressure groups: United Progressive Party (UPP),
headed by Baldwin SPENCER, a coalition of three opposition political
parties - the United National Democratic Party (UNDP); the Antigua
Caribbean Liberation Movement (ACLM); and the Progressive Labor
Movement (PLM); Antigua Trades and Labor Union (ATLU), headed by
William ROBINSON

Member of: ACP, C, CARICOM, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G-77, GATT, IBRD, ICAO,
ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS (associate), ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT
(nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (subscriber), ITU, NAM
(observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCL, WFTU,
WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Patrick Albert LEWIS
chancery: 3216 New Mexico Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016
telephone: [1] (202) 362-5211, 5166, 5122
FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225
consulate(s) general: Miami

US diplomatic representation: the post was closed 30 June 1994; the US
Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda

Flag: red with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of
the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top),
light blue, and white with a yellow rising sun in the black band

@Antigua And Barbuda:Economy

Overview: The economy is primarily service oriented, with tourism the
most important determinant of economic performance. In 1993, tourism
made a direct contribution to GDP of about 17%, and also spurred
growth in other sectors such as construction and transport. Whi