Antigua is an island in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean region. It is the most populous island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which consists of two major islands and several smaller islands. Antigua was formed by a volcano around 30 million years ago and has a perimeter of roughly 87 km (54 mi) and an area of 281 km2 (108 sq mi). The island's population was 83,191 at the 2011 census, with over 22,000 people living in the capital city, St. John's, which is situated in the north-west and boasts a deep harbour able to accommodate large cruise ships.
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Antigua is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua is an island in the Caribbean Sea, and it is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. 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 island of Antigua was born out of the sea by a volcano around 30 million years ago. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region and is the most populous island in the country of Antigua and Barbuda. The island's perimeter is roughly 87 km (54 mi) and its area is 281 km2 (108 sq mi).
Antigua is Spanish for 'ancient', and the island was originally called Wadadli by the Arawaks and is still known by that name locally. Christopher Columbus, sailing for Spain, named the island Santa María de la Antigua in 1493. Some sources claim that Napoleon named the island after a church in Seville, Spain, called Santa María de la Antigua. However, there is no church by that name in Seville. Columbus may have named the island in honour of the Santa María de la Antigua chapel in Seville Cathedral or, more specifically, in honour of the iconic mural Virgen de la Antigua in the cathedral.
Antigua and Barbuda became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 November 1981. The country is a constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state. St. John's, Antigua, is the country's capital, major city, and largest port. The population of Antigua is approaching 80,000, while Barbuda is relatively unpopulated at 1,300. The country's official currency is the East Caribbean dollar, and its economy relies largely on tourism.
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The island was formed by a volcano around 30 million years ago
Antigua is an island in the Lesser Antilles, part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region. It is the most populous island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
The island of Antigua was formed by a volcano around 30 million years ago. The volcano is now inactive, and the island is characterised by a Basal Volcanic Suite (BVS) on its mountainous southwest, a Central Plain Group (CPG) extending from St. Johns to the southeast, and the Antigua Formation on the northeast portion of the island. The south of the island is mainly calc-alkaline volcanic rock, with limestone lenses, agglomerate, and tuff formed during the Oligocene.
The highest point of Antigua is 1,319 ft in the southwest and is called Boggy Peak. Boggy Peak is the remnant of a volcanic crater and is located amid a bulge of hills of volcanic origin. The mountain is the tallest on the island, and there are no significant elevations on the islands of Barbuda or Redonda.
The geologic record of Antigua indicates a transition from island arc volcanism to limestone deposition in the Late Oligocene. The island's perimeter is roughly 87 km (54 mi), and its area is 281 km2 (108 sq mi). The island is reputed to possess 365 beaches, one for every day of the year.
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Antigua's population is around 80,000-90,000
Antigua is an island in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean region. It is the most populous island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, with a population of around 80,000-90,000 people. The population of the island was 83,191 at the 2011 census. The population of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which consists of two major islands and several smaller islands, is estimated to be 97,120 as of 2019, with 97% residing in Antigua.
The population of Antigua is largely made up of people of West African, British, and Portuguese descent. The ethnic distribution consists of 91% Black, 4.4% mixed race, 1.7% White, and 2.9% other (primarily East Indian). Most Whites are of British descent. Christian Levantine Arabs and a small number of East Asians and Sephardic Jews make up the remainder of the population.
The capital city of St. John's, located in the northwest of the island, is home to over 22,000 people. Other leading population settlements are All Saints (3,412) and Liberta (2,239), according to the 2001 census. The median age in Antigua and Barbuda is 35.9 years, and the adult literacy rate is approximately 99%.
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The island's economy is largely dependent on tourism
Antigua is an island in the Lesser Antilles, part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean. It is the most populous island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. The island's economy is largely dependent on tourism, with the agricultural sector serving the domestic market.
Tourism is the mainstay of Antigua's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and over 40% of investment. The island's natural beauty, including its beaches and natural harbours, as well as its cultural attractions, make it a popular destination for visitors from around the world. The country has a number of resorts, hotels, and other tourist infrastructure to accommodate visitors.
The agricultural sector in Antigua is focused on the domestic market and accounts for a smaller portion of the economy. It is constrained by limited water supply and labour shortages due to the lure of higher wages in the tourism and construction industries. Manufacturing, including bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components, also contributes to the economy but is not as significant as tourism.
To reduce its vulnerability to natural disasters, Antigua has been diversifying its economy beyond tourism. Transportation, communications, and financial services are becoming increasingly important sectors. The country has also been making efforts to increase its green credentials, reduce waste, and use renewable energy sources.
Overall, Antigua's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with other sectors playing a supporting role. The country has been working to strengthen its economy and reduce its dependence on a single industry.
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Antigua is Spanish for 'ancient'
Antigua, the island in the Caribbean Sea, is indeed Spanish for "ancient" or "old". The island was named by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who called it Santa María de la Antigua. Some sources suggest that Columbus was inspired by a church in Seville called Santa María de la Antigua, but there is no church by that name in the city. It is more likely that he named the island in honour of the Santa María de la Antigua chapel in Seville Cathedral, or the iconic Virgen de la Antigua (or Santa María de la Antigua) mural within it.
The name "Antigua" is derived from the Spanish feminine singular adjective "antigua", which means "ancient", "old", "former", or "antique". The Spanish noun "antiguo" can also mean "old-fashioned person".
The island of Antigua is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, which consists of two major islands and several smaller islands. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, and gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. The country has a population of around 97,000 people, with 97% residing on Antigua. The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism, which accounts for 80% of its GDP.
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