Antigua and Barbuda

For other places with the same name, see Antigua (disambiguation).

Photograph of Antigua taken from space

Antigua is an island in the Caribbean, part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It has a population of about 68,000, of which over 24,000 live in the capital of St. John's, on the northwest coast. Antigua is located south of the country's other island, Barbuda.

It lies 50 miles east of St Kitts, in 17° 6' N. and 61° 45' W., and is 54 miles in circumference, with an area of 108 square miles. The surface is comparatively flat, and there is no central range of mountains as in most other West Indian islands, but among the hills in the south-west an elevation of 1328 feet is attained. Owing to the absence of rivers, the paucity of springs, and the almost complete deforestation, Antigua is subject to frequent droughts, and although the average rainfall is 45.6 inches, the variations from year to year are great. The high rocky coast is much indented by bays and arms of the sea, several of which form excellent harbours, that of St John being safe and commodious, but inferior to English Harbour, which, although little frequented, is capable of receiving vessels of the largest size. The soil, especially in the interior, is very fertile. Sugar and pineapples are the chief products for export, but sweet potatoes, yams, maize and guinea corn are grown for local consumption. The three chief towns are St John, Falmouth and Parham. St John, the capital, is situated in the north west, near to the airport and has a large harbour which is able to accommodate large cruise ships.

Antigua's economy has become increasingly reliant upon tourism, and it markets itself as a luxury Caribbean escape. Many hotels and resorts are located around the coastline, and the island's single airport is serviced by several major airlines including Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.

The local currency is the East Caribbean dollar but due to the large quantity of tourist visitors, the United States Dollar and the British Pound are nearly universally accepted.

Antigua was "discovered" in 1493 by Columbus, who is said to have named it after a church in Seville, called Santa Maria la Antigua. It remained, however, uninhabited until 1632, when a body of English settlers took possession of it, and in 1663 another settlement of the same nation was effected under the direction of Lord Willoughby, to whom the entire island was granted by Charles II. It was ravaged by the French in 1666, but was soon after reconquered by the British and formally restored to them by the treaty of Breda. It remained under British control until 1981, when Antigua and Barbuda gained independence. The government is a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state.

Geography

• Land area: 108 sq. mi. (280 km²)
• Location : 17.09° N 61.80° W
• Capital and largest city: St. John's, pop. 24,000
• Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.
• Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas.
• Elevation extremes:

References

• This article incorporates text from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, which is in the public domain.

Barbuda is an island in the Caribbean, part of the state of Antigua and Barbuda. It has a population of about 1,500, most of whom live in the town of Codrington. Barbuda is located north of Antigua.

Barbuda is located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. To the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadaloupe, and to the north and west are Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Barts, and St. Martin.

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the island of Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the island 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.

The islands became an independent state in 1981. They remain members of the British Commonwealth. Barbuda is currently home to the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, which is located in its Codrington Lagoon.

Geography

• Land area: 171 mi² (440 km²)
• Capital and largest city (1991): Codrington (capital of Barbuda), est. pop. 1,000
• Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation.
• Terrain: mostly coral limestone islands
• Elevation extremes:
  • Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m.
  • Highest point: Highlands 38 m.

You can find a map of Barbuda at Caribbean-On-Line.com

Climate

In January and February, the coolest months, the average daily high temperature is 81 °F (27 °C). In July and August, the warmest months, the average daily high is 86 °F (30 °C). Monthly averages are as follows:

Jan        22.3    28.2    56.9    10.0
Feb     22.1    28.3    37.6    8.0
Mar     22.5    28.6    46.7    8.0
Apr     23.3    29.2    67.6    9.0
May     24.3    29.8    112.5   10.0
Jun     25.3    30.5    49.5    8.0
Jul     25.4    30.7    86.6    11.0
Aug     25.4    30.9    100.6   13.0
Sep     24.8    30.7    140.5   11.0
Oct     24.3    30.4    130.8   13.0
Nov     23.7    29.5    134.9   13.0
Dec     22.8    28.6    87.4    13.0

Parishes and dependencies of Antigua and Barbuda
Parishes: Saint George | Saint John | Saint Mary | Saint Paul | Saint Peter | Saint Philip Dependencies: Barbuda | Redonda