St. John's is the capital of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which is part of the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. It is the largest city in the nation and serves as its administrative, commercial, and cultural centre. St. John's is also the nation's chief port and a popular tourist destination. Antigua and Barbuda is a former British colony that gained independence in 1981. It is not part of the USA.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Country | Antigua and Barbuda |
Capital of Country | St. John's |
Population of Country | 91,295 |
Population of St. John's | 21,475-25,000 |
Year of Independence | 1981 |
Currency | US dollar and East Caribbean Dollar |
Official Language | English |
Local Language | Antiguan Creole |
What You'll Learn
St. John's is the capital of Antigua and Barbuda
St. John's is one of the most developed and cosmopolitan municipalities in the Lesser Antilles. The city is famous for its shopping malls and boutiques, selling designer jewellery and haute-couture clothing. St. John's attracts tourists from the resorts on the island and from the cruise ships that dock in its harbour at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week.
The investment banking industry has a strong presence in the city, with major world financial institutions having offices in St. John's. There is also a market on the southwestern edge of the city where fresh produce, meats, and fish are sold daily.
The Antigua Rum Distillery is located at the Citadel and is the only rum distillery on the island. The city's skyline is dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral. Nearby attractions include Fort James, Government House, a botanic station, and Goat Hill.
St. John's is served by the V. C. Bird International Airport, which is located 6 miles (10 km) northeast of the city. The city is also home to two medical schools and several secondary schools, including Christ the King High School, Princess Margaret School, and the Antigua Girls High School.
St. John's has a tropical savanna climate, with summer-like weather year-round, hot days, and warm nights. Rainfall is highest during the months of September to November due to hurricane activity.
Affordable Cell Phone Plans in Antigua and Barbuda
You may want to see also
Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island nation in the Eastern Caribbean
Antigua, the larger of the two main islands, has an intricate coastline with bays and headlands fringed by reefs and shoals. It has an area of 108 square miles (280 square km) and is mostly low-lying, with some volcanic areas. The highest point on the island is Boggy Peak, also known as Mount Obama, which rises to 402 meters (1,319 feet) above sea level. Antigua is home to the capital and largest city of the nation, St. John's, which is also the country's main port. The island's economy was once heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly sugarcane production, but it has now shifted towards tourism and financial services.
Barbuda, located 25 miles (40 km) north of Antigua, is a flat coral island with highlands rising to 143 feet (44 meters) at Lindsay Hill. It has an area of 62 square miles (161 square km) and is mostly covered in forests. The island's inhabitants have traditionally been fishermen and subsistence farmers, but tourism development now poses a threat to their way of life.
The third major island, Redonda, is uninhabited and located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Antigua. It is a rocky island that rises to a height of 1,000 feet (305 meters) and has an area of 0.5 square miles (1.25 square km).
The nation of Antigua and Barbuda has a population of approximately 97,120 (2019 estimate), with 97% residing on Antigua. The majority of the population is of African descent, with smaller groups of people of European, Caribbean, and other ethnicities. The official language is English, and the majority of the population identifies as Christian, with Anglicanism being the largest denomination.
The country gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981, and is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. It is a member of the Commonwealth and recognizes King Charles III as its head of state, represented by a governor-general. The nation has an open-market economy, with a focus on tourism, financial services, and agriculture.
A Clear View: Antigua to Barbuda Sightseeing
You may want to see also
St. John's is the administrative centre of Antigua and Barbuda
St. John's is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a country in the West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. It has been the administrative centre of the country since the islands were first colonised in 1632, and it became the seat of government when the nation achieved independence in 1981. St. John's is also the capital of the Parish of Saint John, a civil parish of Antigua and Barbuda. The Parish of Saint John was created in August 1681 when Antigua was divided into five parishes.
The city of St. John's is located on the northwestern portion of Antigua Island and borders Saint Mary, Saint Peter, Saint George, and Saint Paul. It is a resort community and the island's main port, handling goods such as sugar, cotton, foodstuffs, machinery, and lumber. The port is in a sheltered harbour that can accommodate ships with a draft of up to 10.5 metres. St. John's is also a commercial centre known for its shopping malls and boutiques selling designer jewellery and haute couture clothing. The city attracts tourists from resorts and cruise ships that dock at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week.
St. John's is home to the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda, and the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority is headquartered there. The city has a population of approximately 22,000, although estimates vary, and is the country's primary political and cultural hub. It is one of the most developed and cosmopolitan municipalities in the Lesser Antilles. The city reflects the cultural diversity of the country, with people of African and mixed European-African ancestry, a European minority, and a population of Levantine Christian Arabs.
St. John's has a tropical savanna climate with summer-like weather year-round. Rainfall is highest during the months of September to November due to hurricane activity. The city's landmarks include the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral, the Botanical Garden, Fort James, and the Government House, the governor's residence. The Antigua Rum Distillery, located at the Citadel, is the only rum distillery on the island.
Barbuda's Travel Possibilities: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
St. John's is the commercial and cultural centre of Antigua and Barbuda
St. John's is the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, a tiny Caribbean nation in the West Indies. With a population of about 25,000, St. John's is the commercial and cultural centre of the nation.
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. The city is famous for its shopping malls and boutiques, selling designer jewellery and haute-couture clothing. It is also a popular arrival point for visitors, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and other attractions.
St. John's is home to the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda and is the capital of the Parish of Saint John. The city attracts tourists from the resorts on the island and from the cruise ships that dock in its harbour at Heritage Quay and Redcliffe Quay several times a week. The Antigua Rum Distillery is located at the Citadel and is the only rum distillery on the island.
St. John's is also a cultural hub, with several museums, including the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda and the Museum of Marine Art. The city's skyline is dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral. Nearby attractions include Fort James, Fort Barrington, and the former warehouses of Redcliffe Quay.
The diverse habitats of this Eastern Caribbean island include coastline, rainforests, and wetlands, making it a great place for birdwatching. St. John's harbour is a good spot to see brown pelicans diving for fish, and the nearby national park of Fort Barrington offers panoramic views of the Caribbean.
Agriculture's Global Impact: Which Country Leads in AG?
You may want to see also
Antigua and Barbuda is not part of the USA
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent nation and part of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is not a part of the USA.
Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign, archipelagic country in the Caribbean. It 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 country gained full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981 and is a constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state.
The United States recognised Antigua and Barbuda as an independent state on 1 November 1981, when it raised the Consulate General in St. Johns to Embassy status. The United States has enjoyed friendly relations with Antigua and Barbuda since its independence. The two countries have established a series of counter-narcotic and counter-crime treaties and agreements due to Antigua and Barbuda's location near maritime transport lanes, making it an attractive site for international drug trafficking.
While Antigua and Barbuda has close ties with the USA, it is a separate nation with its own government, economy, and cultural identity.
Exploring the Language of Antigua and Barbuda
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, St John and Barbuda are not part of the USA. St John is the capital of the Eastern Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
St John has a population of around 22,200-25,000, while the population of the country is around 91,295.
St John is a popular tourist destination, with many historical and cultural attractions, including St John's Cathedral, the Government House, the Botanical Gardens, and nearby Fort James. It is also known for its shopping malls and boutiques, as well as its beaches and cruise ship port.