Antigua is an island in the Caribbean's Lesser Antilles, forming an independent state with Barbuda in the West Indies. Located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, it is one of the Leeward Islands, sitting about 250 miles southeast of Puerto Rico and 40 miles north of Guadeloupe. The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's, which is also the largest city and the chief commercial centre of the island nation. The island is divided into six parishes: St. John, St. George, St. Peter, St. Philip, St. Paul, and St. Mary. Antigua is known for its beaches, with a reputation for having 365 beaches, one for every day of the year.
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Antigua is in the Caribbean, about 1000 miles east of Jamaica
Antigua is a small island in the Caribbean, about 1000 miles east of Jamaica. It is part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, and is the most populous island 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 permanent population is approximately 97,120 (2019 estimates), with 97% residing in Antigua. The capital, St. John's, is also located on Antigua and is home to over 22,000 people.
Antigua is a popular tourist destination, known for its luxury resorts and yachting and sailing destinations. The island has a rich history, dating back to its first inhabitants, the Guanahatabey people, followed by the Arawak and Carib. English Harbour on the south-eastern coast provides one of the largest deep-water, protected harbors in the Eastern Caribbean. It is also the site of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nelson's Dockyard, a restored British colonial naval station named after Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson.
The economy of Antigua is largely dependent on tourism, with the agricultural sector serving the domestic market. The island is known for its black pineapple, a crop introduced by the Arawak people, along with corn, sweet potatoes, chili peppers, guava, tobacco, and cotton. Today, Antigua is a high-end travel destination, with many hotels and resorts located along its coastline.
Antigua and Barbuda gained independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981, and is now a member of the Commonwealth. The country has a constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state. The capital, St. John's, is known for its deep-water harbour, which can accommodate large cruise ships.
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It is part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent state and sovereign archipelagic country in the Caribbean. It is part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles. The Leeward Islands are a chain of islands in the eastern Caribbean Sea, at the southern end of which lies Antigua and Barbuda. The Leeward Islands are part of the Lesser Antilles, a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
The Leeward Islands were once a British colony, of which Antigua and Barbuda was a part from 1871 until the colony's defederation in 1956. Antigua and Barbuda became a part of the West Indies Federation in 1958, and when this broke up in 1962, it became one of the West Indies Associated States in 1967. It gained full independence from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981, becoming an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.
The Leeward Islands are known for their intricate coastlines, with bays, headlands, reefs, and shoals. Antigua and Barbuda is no exception, with its coastline dotted by beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours. The islands are surrounded by reefs and shoals, and there are several inlets that provide anchorage for shipping. The island of Antigua was formed by a volcano around 30 million years ago, and as a result, the greater part of the island is low-lying and composed of limestone rock.
The Leeward Islands are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more intense hurricanes. These natural disasters can cause coastal erosion, water scarcity, and other challenges for the islands.
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The capital of Antigua and Barbuda is St. John's
Antigua and Barbuda is an island country in the Caribbean Sea, specifically in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles. 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 independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981, and is now a member of the Commonwealth.
St. John's has a rich history, dating back to the colonial era. English Harbour, located on the southeastern coast of Antigua, is one of the largest deep-water, protected harbours in the Eastern Caribbean. It is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nelson's Dockyard, a restored British colonial naval station named after Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson. The dockyard played a significant role in the island's history, serving as a base for British ships patrolling the West Indies.
Today, St. John's is a popular destination for tourists visiting Antigua and Barbuda. The city offers a range of hotels, resorts, and other tourist attractions. It also has an international airport, providing easy access to the island for visitors from around the world.
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The country gained independence from the UK in 1981
Antigua and Barbuda is an island country in the Caribbean, specifically in the Leeward Islands part of the Lesser Antilles. It consists of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands. The country gained independence from the UK in 1981, becoming a sovereign archipelagic and independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.
The journey to independence began in 1958 when Antigua and Barbuda joined the West Indies Federation. However, when this federation broke up in 1962, the islands became one of the West Indies Associated States in 1967. This gave them internal self-governance, and they became an associated state of the Commonwealth with full internal autonomy. During the 1970s, there were discussions about the islands' future, with rivalry between the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM). Despite this, the country gained full independence on the 1st of November 1981, with Vere Bird becoming the first prime minister.
The country chose to remain within the Commonwealth, retaining Queen Elizabeth as its head of state. The current monarch is King Charles III. The first governor-general was Sir Wilfred Jacobs, followed by Sir James Carlisle, Dame Louise Lake-Tack, and the present governor, Sir Rodney Williams.
The independence of Antigua and Barbuda in 1981 marked a significant shift towards self-governance and sovereignty, solidifying its place as an independent nation within the Commonwealth.
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Antigua's economy is largely dependent on tourism
Antigua and Barbuda is a small country in the Caribbean, located about a thousand miles to the east of Jamaica. The country is made up of two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and several smaller islands. The permanent population is approximately 97,120, with 97% residing in Antigua. The capital, St. John's, is also the country's major city, largest port, and deepest harbour.
The country's tourism industry is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise and increased intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes. These natural disasters can cause coastal erosion, water scarcity, and other challenges for the country's infrastructure and economy.
In addition to tourism, offshore banking is also a growing sector in Antigua's economy. The country levies no personal income tax, which has helped to attract high-net-worth citizens and residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Antigua is an island in the Leeward Islands, in the Caribbean region. It is part of the nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which is located in the West Indies, in the Caribbean Sea.
The capital of Antigua is St. John's, which is also the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda.
The highest point in Antigua is Mount Obama (formerly known as Boggy Peak), which rises to 402 or 405 metres.