St John's is the capital city of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, a country located in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. With a population of approximately 22 000 (1991 est.), St John's is the commercial centre of the nation and the chief port of the island of Antigua. The settlement of St John's has been the administrative centre of Antigua and Barbuda since the islands were first colonised in 1632, and it became the seat of government when the nation achieved independence in 1981.