Antigua and Barbuda, independent state located on the eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea, comprising three of the Leeward Islands-Antigua and two smaller islands, Barbuda to the north and Redonda, an uninhabited rocky islet, to the south-west. Lying at the southern end of the Leeward chain, the islands are bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Caribbean Sea to the west; the islands of St Kitts and Nevis lie to the west, Montserrat to the south-west, and Guadeloupe to the south. Antigua and Barbuda gained its independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981, and is a member of the Commonwealth. The country has a total area of 441.6 sq km (170.5 sq mi), of which Barbuda accounts for 160.6 sq km (62 sq mi) and Redonda for 1.3 sq km (0.5 sq mi). The capital, largest town, and main port is St John's, on Antigua.