{"id":16962,"date":"2018-01-30T22:49:55","date_gmt":"2018-01-31T03:49:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/?page_id=16962"},"modified":"2020-08-28T04:35:55","modified_gmt":"2020-08-28T08:35:55","slug":"antigua","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.escapeartist.com\/antigua\/","title":{"rendered":"Antigua"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\tTravel, Invest, Retire, and Live in Antigua<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
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\"Antigua\"<\/p>\n

Known as the most beautiful country in the world, and as the \u201cLand of 365 Beaches,\u201d Antigua and Barbuda can be described as magical by those who\u2019ve had the pleasure of visiting. With this country\u2019s unforgettable beaches and wealth of outdoor activities in a mostly untouched natural setting, it\u2019s no wonder it is such a popular tourism destination. Then again, why not decide to stay and live abroad and start a new life in Antigua?<\/span><\/p>\n

History<\/b><\/p>\n

The earliest settlements in Antigua and Barbuda date back to 2900 BC. The first people to settle the island were the Amerindians, also referred to as the \u201cArchaic People,\u201d or by some in Antigua as the Siboney. Thereafter, the Saladoid people migrated their way over from Venezuela, bringing with them agricultural knowledge and ceramics. They were replaced later by the Arawak people around 1200 AD, who were then replaced in 1500 by Island Caribs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first tribe to begin introducing and raising some of Antigua\u2019s most important crops at the time were the Arawaks, who canoed over from Venezuela. They were known to have brought over the Antiguan black pineapple and also cultivated corn, sweet potatoes, chiles, guava, tobacco, and cotton.<\/span><\/p>\n

The English successfully took the islands over in 1632. With them, they brought tobacco, indigo, ginger, and sugarcane crops. Sugarcane became the nation\u2019s largest and most prosperous crop. Antigua and Barbuda gained its independence in 1981, but it is still part of the Commonwealth of Nations and recognizes the British monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II as its queen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Culture<\/b><\/p>\n

The country had a large slave population in the times before the British emancipated them in 1834. The mix of cultures on the island helped it to develop a unique culture of its own, mixing European and African living and cooking styles. Much of today\u2019s food has a Creole influence, with some of the most popular dishes being rice pudding, salt fish and eggplant, and bull foot soup.<\/span><\/p>\n

The family culture is also a mix of both African and Western traditions. Gender roles are similar to those of the West, while marriage is still carried out in the African fashion as a process occurring over many years, with cohabitation generally happening beforehand. Those who choose to visit and relocate from Western nations will find that the familial lifestyle is likely similar to the culture with which they are already familiar.<\/span><\/p>\n

The most popular art forms in Antigua and Barbuda are those of street theater, stage theater, African calypso music, and music played with steel drums. Many of the songs performed tell stories, sometimes comedies and sometimes tragedies. Some are even of a religious nature, but all are considered an important part of Antigua\u2019s artistic culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Residency<\/b><\/p>\n

For expats looking to live abroad in Antigua and Barbuda, there is a very influential citizen by investment program (CIP). While this is the most popular means of gaining residency, there are a few other options as well:<\/span><\/p>\n