The coastline is indented. The climate of the islands is dry and warm, although there are occasional hurricanes in summer. Water is scarce. The mainstay of the economy is up-market tourism.
Manufacturing industry includes clothing and the assembly of electrical components for re-export.
Aside from some cultivation of sugar cane and cotton, agriculture has been neglected, resulting in dependence on food imports, which exacerbates the high foreign debt. Antigua and Barbuda were colonized from the 17th century by the British, who brought slaves from Africa to work on the islands. From 1871 until 1956 the islands were part of the British colony of the Leeward Islands. The country became fully independent in 1981.