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The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib 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.
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Country
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Surface Area: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km, Redonda, 1.6 sq km )
Population: 68,320 (July 2004 est.)
Located in: Central America (Caribbean)
Capital City: Saint John's
Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II, represented by Governor General James B. CARLISLE
Prime Minister: Baldwin SPENCER
Independent since: 1 November 1981 (from UK)
Currency: East Caribbean dollar (XCD)
Flag (image): 
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