Antigua and Barbuda Trivia: 50 General Knowledge Questions on Antigua and Barbuda

1.      What is the capital of Antigua and Barbuda?

The capital and largest city is St. John’s, located on the northwest coast of Antigua. It is the commercial, cultural and political center of the island nation.

2.      What sea lies to the east of Antigua and Barbuda?

The Atlantic Ocean lies to the east of the islands of Antigua and Barbuda. It separates them from the nearby island nations like Guadeloupe and Dominica to the south and east.

3.      When did Antigua and Barbuda gain independence from the UK?

Antigua and Barbuda gained full independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981 after attaining self-government a decade earlier in 1967.

4.      What language is predominantly spoken in Antigua and Barbuda?

English is predominantly spoken in Antigua and Barbuda. The local dialect is known as Antiguan Creole which traces lexicons to English, African and other European languages.

5.      What is the main religion practiced in Antigua and Barbuda?

Christianity is the main religion practiced in Antigua and Barbuda with over 90% adherents. Protestant denominations are most dominant followed by Roman Catholicism and other Christian dominations.

6.      What is the currency used in Antigua and Barbuda?

The East Caribbean dollar, commonly called EC dollar, has been the currency of Antigua and Barbuda since 1965 when the East Caribbean Currency Authority introduced it across Eastern Caribbean territories.

7.      How many islands make up Antigua and Barbuda?

Antigua and Barbuda is made up of three islands – two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and one smaller uninhabited island called Redonda.

8.      What is the highest point in Antigua and Barbuda?

Boggy Peak, at 1,319 feet (402 meters) on the southwestern edge of Antigua island, is the highest point in Antigua and Barbuda.

9.      Who is the current Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda?

Gaston Browne is the current Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda. He took office after the 2014 elections when his Antigua Labour Party won 14 of the 17 seats.

10.  What popular music genre originated in Antigua and Barbuda?

Calypso music, which blends African and Caribbean influences to form a quintessential Carribean musical genre, originated in Antigua and Barbuda before spreading throughout the region by later 1800s.

11.  What is the national dish of Antigua and Barbuda?

Fungi is the national dish of Antigua and Barbuda, made from cornmeal formed into dumplings then cooked with okra, typically served with fish and chicken.

12.  Which famous English admiral had strong connections with Antigua?

Admiral Horatio Nelson was stationed in Antigua for years, and it was the site of one of his great naval victories against the French in the Battle of the Saintes.

13.  When was sugar cane cultivation introduced in Antigua?

Sugar cane cultivation was introduced in Antigua in the later 1600s after tobacco and indigo farming failed, kickstarting three centuries of sugarcane plantations dominating the economy.

14.  Which famous author lived in Antigua and set some of his work there?

Novelist Jamaica Kincaid was born and raised in Antigua and later drew upon her experiences growing up there for acclaimed works like “Annie John” and “Lucy”.

15.  Which island group lies to the south of Antigua?

The Guadeloupe islands, an overseas region of France, lies about 70 km south of Antigua across the Antigua Passage channel.

16.  What type of political system does Antigua and Barbuda follow?

As a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, Antigua and Barbuda follows the Westminster model with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state, represented by a Governor General.

17.  What popular sport did Viv Richards play for the West Indies?

Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, known as Viv Richards, played cricket as a batsman for the dominant West Indies test teams during the 1970s and 80s.

18.  Which animals were introduced by the Spanish settlers in Antigua?

Sheep and cattle were introduced in Antigua and Barbuda by early Spanish settlers in the late 1400s after they colonized the islands.

19.  Which city hosted the West Indies v England test in 1981?

St. John’s in Antigua hosted the West Indies v England test match in 1981, the first ever test held in Antigua. The West Indies won by 7 wickets.

20.  What is Barbuda’s only town called?

Codrington is the only town on the island of Barbuda with a population of around 1,500 people. It is named after the Codrington family who leased Barbuda from the Crown in 1685.

21.  Which famous spirit originated from Antiguan sugar plantations?

Antiguan rum, distilled from sugar cane molasses, originated from the island’s sugar plantations during the colonial era, becoming famous by the early 1900s.

22.  How many members are there in the Antiguan parliament?

The Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda has 19 members – 17 directly elected to the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker.

23.  What is Antigua and Barbuda’s main port called?

St. John’s Harbour, managed by the Antigua Port Authority, is Antigua and Barbuda’s principal port serving cruise ships and handling exports and imports.

24.  What were the Leeward Islands formerly known as?

The Leeward Islands, which includes Antigua and Barbuda, were formerly known as the British Leeward Islands as a British colony until gaining self-governance and independence during the late 20th century.

25.  What is the name of the collective state made up of former British Caribbean possessions?

The West Indies is the collective name for former British and European colonies in the Caribbean including Antigua and Barbuda as part of the Lesser Antilles.

26.  Which country attempted an invasion of Antigua in 1666?

The French made an unsuccessful attempt to invade Antigua in 1666 which was repelled, after which the colonists made efforts to fortify the island against future attacks.

27.  Who discovered Antigua in 1493 during his second voyage?

Christopher Columbus discovered Antigua during his second voyage to the Americas in 1493, naming it after a church in Seville called “Santa Maria la Antigua”.

28.  What body governs Antigua and Barbuda along with other sovereign states and territories?

As a Commonwealth realm, Antigua and Barbuda has the British monarch as head of state while maintaining control over internal affairs as an independent nation.

29.  Who was the only governing body in Antigua before independence?

The British Empire retained complete governing control over Antigua from 1632 right up to independence in 1981 with a colonial legislature appointed by the British on the island.

30.  In which decade was the Antiguan dollar introduced?

The Antiguan dollar was introduced in 1921 when the British Royal Bank of Canada issued distinct banknotes for Antigua though sterling currency was prominent for many more decades.

31.  Which Antiguan bank began issuing notes in 1921?

The Royal Bank of Canada’s Antigua branch began issuing distinctive notes for the island in 1921, later becoming the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank in the 20th century.

32.  Which popular Antiguan festival occurs in late July/early August annually?

Antigua Carnival, the national festival celebrating music, dance and costumes, occurs annually in late July/early August at the start of the tourist season.

33.  Name Antigua and Barbuda’s largest island

With an area of 108 square miles, Antigua is the largest island of Antigua and Barbuda and third largest island in the Lesser Antilles chain in the Caribbean.

34.  How many members comprise the Antiguan Senate?

The Antiguan Senate consists of 17 appointed senators – 11 nominated by the Prime Minister and 6 by the opposition leader.

35.  What was cancelled in Antigua in 2016 that had occurred annually since 1957?

The Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world’s premier sailing events held annually since 1957, was cancelled in Antigua in 2016 due to lack of sponsorship.

36.  What was the name of the indigenous peoples that lived in Antigua before European contact?

The Ciboney were the indigenous peoples occupying Antigua before the European colonizers decimated the population in the 16th century.

37.  Which famous explorer and governor of the Leeward Islands had his base in Antigua?

Sir Thomas Warner, the English explorer who colonized St. Kitts before becoming governor of the Leeward Islands, had his government base in Antigua.

38.  What is name of the national anthem?

“Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee” has been the national anthem of Antigua and Barbuda since 1967 with lyrics speaking to the nation’s beauty and historical hardships.

39.  When was Nelson’s Dockyard established in Antigua?

Nelson’s Dockyard was established along Antigua’s coast in English Harbour in 1725 to serve as Admiral Horatio Nelson and the Royal Navy’s base in the Caribbean.

40.  Which natural landmark can be found at Long Bay?

Devil’s Bridge, a limestone rock arch formation sculpted by pounding waves, can be found along the coastline near Long Bay in eastern Antigua.

41.  What type of plantations dominated Antigua’s economy for 300 years?

Sugarcane plantations dominated Antigua’s colonial era economy for over 300 years ever since they were introduced in the 1670s to become its staple agricultural industry.

42.  Which art form by Antiguan sculptor Michelle Arrindell won much acclaim?

Antiguan sculptor Michelle Arrindell won acclaim for richly symbolic artworks and masks drawing from African spirituality and Antiguan culture.

43.  Which Antiguan bank did Allen Stanford purchase in 1990?

Texas billionaire Allen Stanford purchased the Bank of Antigua in 1990 which he used to sell fraudulent investments of over $7 billion.

44.  Who became the first Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda in 1981?

Vere Cornwall Bird became the first Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda in 1981 having pushed for independence from Britain over three decades.

45.  Which island to the south has the world’s smallest active volcano?

Kick ’em Jenny, the world’s smallest active underwater volcano, lies off the northern coast of Grenada, islands situated south of Antigua.

46.  What was the name of the political party in power at Antiguan independence?

The Antigua Labour Party was the ruling political party under the leadership of Vere Bird at Antiguan independence from Britain.

47.  Which European country lost control of Antigua in 1632?

The British wrested control of Antigua from Spain in 1632 establishing their first permanent Caribbean colony that endured over 300 years.

48.  What does the name Antigua mean?

Antigua gets its name from the Spanish phrase “Santa Maria la Antigua” meaning “old cathedral” after a church in Seville.

49.  In which American state is Antigua’s largest diaspora community found?

Over 30,000 people of Antiguan descent live in New York City making up Antigua and Barbuda’s largest overseas diaspora community.

50.  Which famous university opened a campus in Antigua in 1982?

The American University of Antigua College of Medicine was founded in 1982 and has over 2000 enrolled medical students from over 50 countries.