Exploring The Ancient City Of Antiqua And Its Surroundings

Antigua is a small island in the Caribbean, part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It is one of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles, and is located about 1,000 miles east of Jamaica and about 500 miles from Trinidad on the coast of South America. The island was formed by a volcano around 30 million years ago and is known for its limestone rock and low-lying landscape. With a population of around 80,000 people, Antigua is the most populous island of the country, and its capital, St. John's, is also the country's largest city and main port.

Antigua and Barbuda are islands in the Caribbean Sea

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 is located about a thousand miles to the east of Jamaica and is situated at the conjunction of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Antigua, the larger and more populous of the two main islands, has an intricate coastline with bays and headlands fringed with reefs and shoals. The island has an area of 108 square miles (280-281 square km) and a population of around 80,000-83,000 people, with over 22,000 living in the capital city of St. John's, which is also the country's major city and largest port. Antigua is known for its low-lying limestone terrain, with its highest point being Boggy Peak (also known as Mount Obama), which rises to 1,319 feet (402-405 metres). The island's economy is mainly reliant on tourism, and it is promoted as a luxury Caribbean escape with its many beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours.

Barbuda, located about 25-28 miles north of Antigua, is a smaller and less populated island with an area of 62 square miles (161 square km) and a population of around 1,300 people. It is a coral island, flat and well-wooded, with highlands rising to 125-143 feet at Lindsay Hill in the northeast. Barbuda is known for its rugged scenery, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant wildlife, including the largest breeding and nesting colony of the Magnificent Frigate Bird in the world. The island's only settlement is Codrington, located on the western coast.

Together, Antigua and Barbuda form an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations, having gained their independence from the United Kingdom on November 1, 1981. The country has a constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state and a parliamentary form of government. The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP, and the country is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise and increased extreme weather events.

Antigua is the most populous island

Antigua has a population of around 80,000 to 93,000 people, with 97% of the country's population residing on the island. The capital city of St. John's, located on Antigua, is the most populous city in the country, with over 22,000 residents. The island's population is mainly of African or mixed African-European descent, and the majority of the population lives in the capital. Other leading population settlements on the island include All Saints and Liberta, with populations of 3,412 and 2,239, respectively.

The island's economy is largely dependent on tourism, with the agricultural sector serving the domestic market. Antigua's coastline, with its many natural harbours, bays, and beaches, makes it a popular destination for sailing and yachting. The island has a rich history, having been first settled by indigenous peoples and later colonized by the English in the 17th century.

Antigua is also known for its diverse natural environment, with limestone formations shaping the island's topography and contributing to its many lagoons and natural harbors. The island's highest point, Boggy Peak or Mount Obama, rises to 1,319 feet in the southwest.

The country gained independence from the UK in 1981

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 UK in 1981, becoming a sovereign archipelagic and independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations.

The movement towards independence began in 1958 when Antigua and Barbuda joined the West Indies Federation. However, when this federation broke up in 1962, the country became one of the West Indies Associated States in 1967. This was followed by a period of internal self-governance, during which the country was an associated state of the UK with full internal autonomy. During this time, there were discussions about the islands' future, with rivalry between the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and the Progressive Labour Movement (PLM). Eventually, on November 1, 1981, Antigua and Barbuda gained full independence from the UK, with Vere Bird becoming the first prime minister of the new country.

As a newly independent country, Antigua and Barbuda opted to remain within the Commonwealth, retaining Queen Elizabeth as its head of state. The country's constitution, adopted in 1981 upon independence, established a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. The executive branch is led by the Prime Minister, who is the head of government, and the Governor-General, who exercises the functions of the Monarch. The legislative power is vested in Parliament, which consists of the Monarch, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.

The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is largely dependent on tourism, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP. The country also has a growing offshore banking sector. However, like other island nations, it is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as sea-level rise and increased extreme weather events.

The islands' economies are largely dependent on tourism

Antigua and Barbuda is a dual-island nation in the Caribbean Sea, located about 1,000 miles east of Jamaica and roughly half that distance from Trinidad on South America's coast. The islands are part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles and gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, becoming an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations. The economy of Antigua and Barbuda is heavily reliant on tourism, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP. Here's a closer look at how tourism drives the islands' economies:

• Tourism as a Main Economic Sector: Tourism is the primary driver of the economy in Antigua and Barbuda, contributing around 80% of the country's GDP. The islands are popular destinations for travellers seeking luxury Caribbean escapes, with their pristine beaches, lagoons, and natural harbours. This has made the tourism industry the main source of income for the islands.
• Infrastructure and Accommodations: Antigua and Barbuda have developed infrastructure to cater to tourists, including an international airport near the capital city of St. John's. The country also boasts a wide range of accommodations, from high-end resorts to smaller hotels and villas. The promotion of the islands as a luxury destination has attracted affluent travellers.
• Yachting and Sailing: English Harbour on the south-eastern coast of Antigua provides one of the largest deep-water protected harbours in the Eastern Caribbean. This makes it a popular destination for yachting and sailing enthusiasts. Antigua Sailing Week, held annually, further attracts sailing vessels and sailors to the island for sporting events.
• Historical and Cultural Attractions: Antigua and Barbuda offer a rich cultural heritage that attracts tourists interested in history and local traditions. The islands have a diverse cultural landscape influenced by their colonial past and the traditions of the indigenous people. Antigua's English Harbour is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nelson's Dockyard, a restored British colonial naval station.
• Citizenship by Investment Program: Antigua and Barbuda have implemented a citizenship by investment program, attracting high-net-worth individuals who contribute significantly to the local economy through investments and tourism-related expenditures.
• Impact on Other Industries: The tourism industry has also boosted other sectors, such as agriculture and manufacturing. While agriculture primarily serves the domestic market, it also provides produce and products for tourists, such as local dishes and handicrafts.

In summary, the economies of Antigua and Barbuda are heavily reliant on tourism, and the country has successfully developed its tourism sector to attract visitors from around the world. This dependence on tourism makes the islands vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as hurricanes and rising sea levels, which can disrupt the industry and impact the local economy.

The islands' populations are predominantly of African descent

Antigua and Barbuda is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, just north of the equator. 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 islands are part of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles.

The population of Antigua and Barbuda is predominantly of African descent, with estimates ranging from 87.3% to 91% of the total population self-identifying as Black or Mulatto. The majority of the population lives on the island of Antigua, which has a population of approximately 80,000 to 93,000 people. The capital and largest city, St. John's, is located on Antigua and has a population of about 25,000.

The history of the islands is closely tied to the transatlantic slave trade and colonial-era sugar plantations. European colonists, particularly the British, established settlements in the 17th century and began importing enslaved people from West Africa to work on sugar plantations. Over time, the population of African descent grew to outnumber the European settlers, and slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1833. Today, the legacy of this history can be seen in the demographics of the islands, as well as in the culture and traditions of the country.

The population of Antigua and Barbuda is diverse, with smaller proportions of residents identifying as mixed race (4.4% to 4.7%), White (1.6% to 1.9%), East Indian (0.7% to 2.9%), and other ethnicities, including Middle Eastern and Chinese. The country has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its history and the contributions of its diverse population.

Frequently asked questions