Barbuda's French Possession Status: A Historical Inquiry

Barbuda is an island that forms part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, a sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean. It was colonised by the Spanish, French and English, who formed a colony in 1666. The island was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington in 1685, and slavery was abolished in 1834. Barbuda is not a French possession, but it is part of the Commonwealth of Nations, with Charles III as King of Antigua and Barbuda.

Is Barbuda a country?

Barbuda is not a country. It is an island and dependency that forms part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Barbuda is located in the eastern Caribbean, approximately 40km (25 miles) north of Antigua. The island has a population of around 1,600 people and is one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Caribbean.

History of Barbuda

The first inhabitants of Barbuda were canoe-driving hunter-gatherers who arrived around 3,000-4,000 years ago. The island was later inhabited by the Arawak and Kalinago peoples. The Spanish were the first Europeans to settle on the island, followed by the French and English, who formed a colony in 1666. In 1685, Barbuda was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington, and the island became a slave colony. Slavery was abolished in Barbuda in 1834, and the island became a dependency of Antigua in 1859.

Politics and Government of Barbuda

The political system of Antigua and Barbuda is a unitary parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, with King Charles III as the head of state. The country has a two-chamber legislature, consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate. Barbuda is guaranteed at least one member of the House of Representatives and two members of the Senate. The Barbuda Council, an 11-member body consisting of nine directly elected members and two ex officio members, administers local governance.

Economy of Barbuda

The economy of Barbuda is based primarily on tourism and government, with the central and local governments being the largest employers on the island. Fisheries account for the majority of the island's exports, particularly the lobster industry. Agriculture is focused on the domestic market and is constrained by limited water supply and labour shortages.

Is Barbuda a dependency of Antigua?

Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean. It consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands. Barbuda is a dependency of Antigua, located approximately 30 miles (48 km) north of Antigua.

The first inhabitants of Barbuda were canoe-driving hunter-gatherers around 3,000–4,000 years ago. The island was subsequently inhabited by the Arawak and Kalinago. Early settlements by the Spanish were followed by the French and English, who formed a colony in 1666. In 1685, Barbuda was leased to brothers John and Christopher Codrington, and it was colonized by the British in 1678. The Codrington family held Barbuda from 1685 to 1870, and the island was annexed as a dependency of Antigua in 1859.

Barbuda is a flat island with a tropical marine climate. The western portion is dominated by the Codrington Lagoon, while the eastern portion features an elevated plateau with salty ponds and scrubland. The island has a population of approximately 1,634 people and an area of 62 square miles (160 km2), making it one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Caribbean. The economy of Barbuda is based mainly on tourism and government, with the central and local governments being the largest employers.

Barbuda gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 as an integral part of Antigua and Barbuda. It remains a part of the Commonwealth of Nations and a constitutional monarchy, with King Charles III as its head of state. The political system of Antigua and Barbuda is a unitary, parliamentary, representative democratic monarchy. While executive power is exercised by the government, legislative power is vested in both the government and the legislature.

The Barbuda Council is an 11-member body consisting of nine directly elected members and two ex officio members. The Council has various duties, including administering public utilities, managing roadwork, and improving building and marine facilities. It also has the power to make local by-laws.

In conclusion, Barbuda is a dependency of Antigua, and together they form the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda. Barbuda has a unique history, culture, and natural environment, and it plays an important role in the overall country of Antigua and Barbuda.

What is the population of Barbuda?

Barbuda is not a French possession. It is part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda, which is a sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean.

Population of Barbuda

The population of Barbuda is approximately 1,634, making it one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Caribbean. The island's population density is significantly lower than that of Antigua, which has a population of about 82,000. Codrington, Barbuda's largest town, has an estimated population of 1,300 as of 2011.

In September 2017, Hurricane Irma destroyed over 90% of Barbuda's buildings, and the entire population was evacuated to Antigua. By February 2019, most residents had returned to the island.

Population of Antigua and Barbuda

The population of Antigua and Barbuda as a whole is estimated to be between 93,772 and 94,851 as of 2024. The country's population has been growing steadily and is projected to continue this trend into the 21st century, with an estimated population of 115,000 by 2050.

The majority of the population resides in Antigua, with approximately 97% of the country's population living on this larger island. The capital city of St. John's, located on Antigua, is the most populous city in the country, with a population of nearly 25,000.

Demographics

The population of Antigua and Barbuda is predominantly of West African, British, and Portuguese descent, with 91% identifying as Black, 4.4% as mixed race, 1.7% as White, and 2.9% as other (mainly East Indian and Asian). A significant portion of the population lives abroad, particularly in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Who were the first inhabitants of Barbuda?

The first inhabitants of Barbuda were hunter-gatherers who arrived by canoe around 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. These early settlers, referred to as the Ciboney or Siboney by some scholars, are believed to have originated from South America, the Greater Antilles, or the Yucatán region of Mexico. They were followed by the Arawak, who likelysection arrived from present-day Venezuela and Guyana, and the Kalinago, who preferred the islands of Saint Kitts and Dominica but visited Barbuda occasionally.

The Arawak, also known as the Saladoid people, were ceramic-using agriculturalists who introduced the cultivation of crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, tobacco, and cotton to Barbuda. They also grew the famous Antiguan "black" pineapple, which is still a well-known crop in the region. The Arawak lived mostly in the eastern parts of the island, in areas like the Barbuda Highlands and Spanish Point, and their population on Barbuda peaked between 1,500 and 800 years ago.

The Kalinago, also known as the Caribs, were seafaring people with superior weapons who raided and eventually displaced the Arawak. They were the dominant group in the West Indies and were known for enslaving and cannibalising the people they conquered. The Kalinago called Barbuda "Wa'omoni", which may mean "Island of Herons" or refer to other birds common on the island, such as frigate birds or weather birds.

The first settlements on Barbuda date back to the Archaic Age, approximately 2,900 to 3,000 BC, and artefacts from this period include cutting blades made from gastropods and water containers constructed from shells. These early inhabitants left their mark on the island, with petroglyphs and pictographs created by the Arawak or Siboney still visible inside the Indian Cave on Barbuda.

What is the economy of Barbuda based on?

Barbuda is an island that is part of the twin-island state of Antigua and Barbuda. The economy of Barbuda is largely based on tourism and government services, with the central and local governments being the largest employers on the island. The island's economy is also supported by exports from its significant fishing industry, particularly lobster catching.

Tourism is a key source of income for Barbuda, contributing directly and indirectly to more than half of the GDP of Antigua and Barbuda. The island's pristine beaches, climate, and geography attract tourists from around the world. In addition to tourism, the civil service is the second-largest employer in the country. Driven by the tourism sector, the construction industry has also become a significant contributor to the economy.

The fishing industry in Barbuda is small-scale, targeting reef-dwelling and demersal species. It contributes approximately 2% of the GDP and is important for local food security and supplying the tourism sector. The main fisheries include snappers, groupers, Caribbean spiny lobster, and queen conch. Barbudans frequently fish for larger species such as kingfish, mahi-mahi, tuna, and barracuda, which are sold to hotels during the season.

In addition to tourism and fishing, other sectors that contribute to the economy of Barbuda include maritime transport, water management (including desalination), and mineral extraction. The island also has a growing agricultural sector, with small family plots supplying local markets.

To reduce its vulnerability to natural disasters, Antigua has been diversifying its economy, with transportation, communications, and financial services becoming increasingly important. The country has also been taking steps to improve its retail sector, investing in better facilities for retailers and fish processing.

Overall, the economy of Barbuda is heavily reliant on tourism, with the central and local governments and the fishing industry also playing significant roles. The island's pristine natural environment, unique geographical features, and cultural attractions make it a popular destination for visitors, contributing to the growth and diversification of its economy.

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