Antigua's Place In The West Indies

Antigua and Barbuda is a dual-island nation in the West Indies, in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. It is an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations, having gained independence from the UK in 1981. Antigua, the larger of the two islands, is the most populous, with around 80,000 people, while Barbuda is sparsely populated with just 1,300 inhabitants. The country's capital, St. John's, is located on Antigua and is also its largest city. The islands are known for their intricate coastlines, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife.

Antigua and Barbuda are part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles

Antigua and Barbuda is a dual-island nation in the West Indies, located in the Caribbean Sea. It is part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The country consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands, including Great Bird, Green, Guiana, Long, Maiden, Prickly Pear, York, and Redonda.

Antigua is the largest of the islands, covering an area of 108 square miles (280 square kilometres), while Barbuda is relatively unpopulated, with an area of 62 square miles (161 square kilometres). The islands are separated by a distance of about 28 miles, and their capital and largest city is St. John's, located on Antigua.

Antigua and Barbuda is a tropical destination, known for its intricate coastline, bays, headlands, reefs, and natural harbours. The islands have a unique topography, with limestone rock formations and low-lying areas. The highest point in Antigua is Boggy Peak, also known as Mount Obama, which rises to 1,319 feet (402 metres).

The country has a rich history, with the first inhabitants being the Ciboney, archaic age hunter-gatherers. The Arawaks, a pre-Columbian people, introduced agriculture, and the island of Antigua was originally called "Wadadli" by them. Christopher Columbus surveyed the islands in 1493 and named Antigua after the Church of Santa María La Antigua in Seville, Spain. The Spanish did not colonise the islands, and it was later colonised by the English in the 17th century, who established slavery to run the sugar plantations.

Today, Antigua and Barbuda is an independent nation within the Commonwealth of Nations, gaining its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. The country has a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state. The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism, with a growing offshore banking sector. The islands offer a unique blend of natural beauty, diverse habitats, and cultural attractions, making them a popular destination for travellers seeking a luxurious Caribbean escape.

The country consists of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent nation in the West Indies, situated in the Caribbean Sea. The country is made up of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda.

Antigua is the largest of the three islands, spanning an area of 108 square miles (280 square kilometres) and boasting a population of nearly 80,000 people. The island's capital, St. John's, is also the country's largest city and primary port. Antigua's landscape is characterised by its low-lying limestone rock formations and absence of mountains and forests. The island's highest point, Boggy Peak, rises to 1,319 feet (402 metres) and was renamed Mount Obama in 2008. Antigua's coastline is dotted with bays, headlands, and natural harbours, including the deepwater harbour of St. John's.

Barbuda, located about 25 miles (40 kilometres) north of Antigua, is a flat coral island with lush woodlands. It covers an area of 62 square miles (161 square kilometres) and is sparsely populated, with a population of around 1,300 people. The island's only settlement is Codrington, situated on the western coast. Barbuda is known for its diverse native habitats and rugged scenery, featuring beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant wildlife.

Redonda, an uninhabited island located about 25 miles (40 kilometres) southwest of Antigua, rises to a height of 1,000 feet (305 metres) and has an area of 0.5 square miles (1.25 square kilometres). Redonda is notable for its phosphate deposits and sheer cliffs.

Together, these three islands comprise the country of Antigua and Barbuda, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and economic opportunities, particularly in the tourism and agricultural sectors.

The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's

Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Caribbean, specifically in the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. It is an archipelagic nation consisting 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 independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981, and is now a member of the Commonwealth.

St. John's is a cosmopolitan city, well-known for its shopping malls and designer boutiques. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from the resorts on the island and from the cruise ships that dock in its harbour several times a week. The city also has a strong investment banking industry, with many major world financial institutions having offices in St. John's.

The city has a rich history, dating back to the 17th century. Fort St. John's, for example, was built in the 17th century and has endured damage from earthquakes, fires, and hurricanes over the years. Today, St. John's is home to many attractions, including an Anglican cathedral, the Government House, a botanic station, and nearby Fort James and Goat Hill. The city's skyline is dominated by the white baroque towers of St. John's Cathedral.

St. John's is also an educational hub, with two medical schools and several secondary schools. The city has a tropical savanna climate, with hot days and warm nights year-round.

The country gained independence from the UK in 1981

Antigua and Barbuda, a two-island country in the Caribbean, gained independence from the UK in 1981. The country became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations on 1 November 1981, with Queen Elizabeth as its head of state. The United States recognised Antigua and Barbuda as an independent state on the same day and raised the Consulate General in St. Johns to Embassy status.

The journey to independence began in the 1970s, when an independence movement emerged in Antigua, particularly under its prime minister, George Walter. Walter favoured complete independence for the islands and opposed the British plan of independence within a federation of islands. In 1976, Walter lost the legislative elections to Vere Bird, who preferred regional integration. However, in 1978, Antigua reversed its position and announced its desire for independence.

The autonomy talks were complicated by the fact that Barbuda, a long-time dependency of Antigua, felt economically stifled by the larger island and wanted to secede. Despite these challenges, on 1 November 1981, Antigua and Barbuda achieved independence, with Vere Bird as its first prime minister. The country joined the United Nations and the Commonwealth and became a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.

The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism

Antigua and Barbuda is a small, two-island nation in the Caribbean, with a population of around 97,000 people. The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism, which accounts for 80% of its GDP. The country is a popular destination for affluent travellers, known for its luxury resorts and yachting destinations. The country's agricultural sector, which once formed the mainstay of the economy, now primarily serves the domestic market.

Tourism is the leading sector in Antigua and Barbuda in terms of providing employment and creating foreign exchange. The country's capital, St. John's, is situated on the island of Antigua and has a deep natural harbour that can accommodate large cruise ships. English Harbour on the south-eastern coast of Antigua provides one of the largest deep-water harbours in the Eastern Caribbean and is a popular yachting and sailing destination.

Antigua Sailing Week, held annually at the end of April and the beginning of May, attracts a number of sailing vessels and sailors to the island to participate in sporting events. In addition, Antigua has been home to one of the largest charter yacht shows in the world for the past 60 years, welcoming super-yachts from around the world.

The country's agricultural production is mainly directed towards the domestic market. Antigua and Barbuda face challenges such as a limited water supply and labour shortages due to higher wages in the tourism and construction industries. The manufacturing sector in the country is small, comprising mainly bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.

The government of Antigua and Barbuda has been working to diversify the economy beyond tourism, with transportation, communications, and financial services becoming increasingly important. The country has also been taking steps to improve the retail sector, investing in better facilities for retailers and fish processing.

However, the country's tourism-dependent economy was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, as emergency public health measures to control the spread of the virus severely affected economic output, employment, and public finances.

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