Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the North American continent, located in the Caribbean Sea. It is comprised of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda. As an island country, Antigua and Barbuda does not share any land borders with other countries. However, its closest neighbouring nations include Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis. Can you guess what other countries are located near Antigua and Barbuda?
What You'll Learn
- Antigua and Barbuda is an island country in the West Indies
- The closest nations to Antigua and Barbuda are Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis
- Antigua and Barbuda has no foreign land borders
- The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are mostly low-lying
- Antigua and Barbuda has direct access to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean
Antigua and Barbuda is an island country in the West Indies
Antigua, the largest island of the country, was formed by volcanic activity approximately 30 million years ago. It has a complex coastline with bays, headlands, reefs, and shoals. The island covers an area of 108 square miles (280 square kilometres) and has a population of around 80,000 people. The highest point on the island is Mount Obama, formerly known as Boggy Peak, which rises to 1,319 feet (402 metres) above sea level. Antigua's capital, St. John's, is also the country's largest city and main port. The official language of the country is English, and the Antiguan dialect has noticeable differences from the Barbudan accent.
Barbuda, on the other hand, is a flat coral island located about 25 to 28 miles north of Antigua. It has a much smaller population of around 1,300 people. The island covers an area of 62 square miles (161 square kilometres) and has a relatively flat topography, with its highest point at Lindsay Hill reaching 143 feet (44 metres). Barbuda is known for its lagoons and diverse native habitats, including the largest breeding and nesting colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird in the world.
Redonda, the third notable island, is uninhabited and located about 25 to 40 miles southwest of Antigua. It is a rocky island with sheer cliffs rising to a height of 1,000 feet (305 metres) and has an area of 1.25 square miles (3.2 square kilometres).
The country of Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical climate with steady trade winds, and its landscape is dotted with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours. The islands experience recurrent droughts despite receiving an average rainfall of 39 to 40 inches per year. The average temperature ranges from 77 °F (25 °C) in January to 82 °F (28 °C) in August, with summer highs reaching 90 °F (32 °C).
In terms of governance, Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 and is now a member of the Commonwealth, with King Charles III as its head of state. The country has a two-chamber legislature, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, and the executive power is vested in a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
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The closest nations to Antigua and Barbuda are Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis
Antigua and Barbuda is a dual-island nation in the West Indies, with two inhabited main islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands, including the uninhabited island of Redonda. The country is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea and is part of the Leeward Islands.
Antigua and Barbuda has no land borders with other countries as it is completely surrounded by water. However, it does share maritime borders with several nations, including two that are particularly close: Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis. Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory located about 50 km west-southwest of Antigua, the main island of Antigua and Barbuda. St. Kitts and Nevis is an independent country located just 92 km away from St. John's, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.
In addition to Montserrat and St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda also shares maritime borders with Anguilla (UK), Saint Barthélemy (France), and Saint Martin. These nations are all located in close proximity to Antigua and Barbuda, with Anguilla being just 175 km away from St. John's.
The proximity of these nations to Antigua and Barbuda has fostered cultural, economic, and political ties. They share a common history, with a legacy of colonialism and a predominantly African-descented population. The region is also known for its tourism industry, with secluded beaches, sandy shores, and coral reefs attracting visitors from around the world.
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Antigua and Barbuda has no foreign land borders
Antigua and Barbuda is a dual-island nation in the West Indies, with two inhabited main islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands, including the uninhabited island of Redonda. The islands are part of the Leeward Islands, which separate the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea.
The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are relatively low-lying, with the highest point being Mount Obama (formerly known as Boggy Peak) at 402 metres (1,319 feet) on Antigua. The island of Barbuda is flatter, with a highland plateau in the northeast that reaches 44.5 metres (146 feet). Redonda, on the other hand, is a tiny, rocky island that rises to a height of 246 metres (807 feet).
The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's, located on Antigua. The principal city of Barbuda is Codrington, situated on a lagoon. The islands have a tropical maritime climate, with trade winds providing a cooling effect. The temperature ranges from an average of 25°C (77°F) in January to 30°C (86°F) in the summer and autumn months.
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The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are mostly low-lying
The limestone formations in the northeast and northwest are separated from the southwestern volcanic area by a central plain of clay formations. The map of northeastern Antigua features several small and tiny islands, some inhabited. The shorelines of both islands are indented with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours. The islands are rimmed by reefs and shoals.
Antigua and Barbuda's tropical climate is moderated by fairly constant northeast trade winds, with velocities ranging between 30 and 48 km/h (19 and 30 mph). There is little precipitation because of the islands' low elevations. Rainfall averages 990 mm (39 in) per year, with the amount varying widely from season to season. In general, the wettest period is between September and November. The islands generally experience low humidity and recurrent droughts.
Hurricanes strike, on average, once a year between July and October. Temperatures average 27 °C (80.6 °F), with a range from 23 °C (73.4 °F) in the winter to 30 °C (86 °F) in the summer and autumn. On 12 August 1995, a temperature of 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) was recorded at St. John's. This is the highest temperature ever recorded in Antigua and Barbuda. The coolest period is between December and February.
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Antigua and Barbuda has direct access to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean
Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, with direct access to both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The country consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands, including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, Prickly Pear, York, and Redonda. The islands are part of the Leeward Islands, which separate the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea.
Antigua, the largest island, is known for its secluded bays, sandy beaches, coral reefs, and volcanic rocks, with Mount Obama rising to about 400 metres (1,330 feet) as the highest point. Barbuda, located about 40 kilometres north of Antigua, is a flat coral island with a large lagoon and highlands reaching up to 44 metres (143 feet) at Lindsay Hill. Redonda, an uninhabited island located about 40 kilometres southwest of Antigua, is rocky and rises to a height of 305 metres (1,000 feet).
The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's, located on the northwest coast of Antigua. The country's largest city and main port are also found in St. John's. Codrington, the largest town on Barbuda, is the principal city and only settlement on the island.
The islands of Antigua and Barbuda have irregular coastlines dotted with beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours. Both islands are generally low-lying, with limestone formations and coral influencing their terrain more than volcanic activity. The absence of mountains and forests sets Antigua apart from the other Leeward Islands. The islands experience low rainfall, resulting in few streams and a lack of sufficient fresh groundwater on both Antigua and Barbuda.
The warm and pleasant climate of Antigua and Barbuda, with temperatures averaging 27°C (80.6°F), makes it a popular tourist destination. The islands' access to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean further enhances their appeal for water-based activities and beach leisure.
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