Barbuda's Location: Discovering The Island's Tropical Paradise

Barbuda is a small island in the Caribbean Sea, just north of its bigger sister island, Antigua. Together, they form the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which acts as a natural border between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Barbuda is a flat island with a large lagoon and an elevated plateau in the east, and is known for its natural, often pink-sand beaches. The island has a population of around 1,500 to 1,800 people, most of whom live in the village of Codrington.

Barbuda is part of the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda

Barbuda is a tropical island that, together with Antigua, makes up the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. The islands are part of a three-island state, which also includes the uninhabited island of Redonda. Barbuda is located in the heart of the archipelago, about 28 miles north of Antigua. The islands are separated by the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

The island of Barbuda is relatively quiet and undeveloped, covering an area of 161 sq km, with a 27-km-long coastline lined with pristine, white, and pink sand beaches. Barbuda's interior is covered in impenetrable bush, with unmarked roads and tracks leading to most of the beaches. The island's highest point is only 125 ft above sea level, and its largest town is Codrington, which is also its only major settlement.

Barbuda is known for its captivating natural beauty, pristine beaches, and rich history. It offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with opportunities for snorkelling, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and exploring caves and historic ruins. The island is also a bird-watcher's paradise, with the Frigate Bird Sanctuary hosting over 150 different bird species, including pelicans, kingfishers, mockingbirds, herons, and ibis.

Barbuda has a strong sense of community and a unique, rural way of life. The population of approximately 1,500 Barbudans live in the only village of Codrington, and the island has a distinct culture and dialect from its sister island, Antigua. Barbuda's economy is largely based on tourism, and it is a popular destination for those seeking a quiet, natural escape.

It is approximately 1,000 miles east of Jamaica

The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are nestled in the heart of the Caribbean, approximately 1,000 miles east of Jamaica and 500 miles from Trinidad on the coast of South America. The islands lie at the conjuncture of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Leeward Islands, which are part of the Lesser Antilles.

The country, which is a sovereign archipelagic state, 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 separated by about 28 miles of ocean and are approximately 40 km (25 mi) apart.

Antigua, the larger of the two main islands, was born out of the sea by a volcano about 30 million years ago. The highest point of the island is 1,319 ft in the southwest and is called Boggy Peak. On the northern flank of this volcano, reefs were formed, which is why most of Antigua is low-lying and composed of limestone rock. The island has a unique geological feature called the "Barbuda Formation," which consists of fossilised coral and limestone.

Barbuda, on the other hand, is a much flatter island with its highest point reaching only 125 ft. The island has a diverse landscape, with rugged scenery, beautiful beaches, lagoons, and abundant wildlife. It is known for its pristine, white sand beaches that stretch for miles, including the famous Princess Diana Beach.

The tropical islands of Antigua and Barbuda offer a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its captivating beauty and rich history, Barbuda is a hidden gem in the Caribbean. The islands have a strong sense of community and are committed to preserving their unique culture and environment.

The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are not just a tourist destination but also a place where people can connect with nature and experience the local way of life. The Barbudans are well-travelled and welcoming, and visitors are quickly integrated into the lives of the local people. The islands offer a range of exciting activities, including snorkelling, diving, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, and exploring historic ruins.

The island is 161 sq km and has a population of around 1,300

The island of Barbuda is part of the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, which consists of two major islands and several smaller ones. Barbuda is the smaller of the two major islands, covering 161 square kilometres (62 square miles) and housing a population of around 1,300. The island is relatively quiet and undeveloped, with only one major settlement, Codrington, where you can find local restaurants and bars, as well as the Barbuda Codrington Airport.

The island boasts pristine beaches with white and pink sand, crystal-clear waters, and a diverse array of wildlife. It is a popular destination for snorkelling, fishing, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities. The Frigate Bird Sanctuary is a major attraction, where you can spot over 150 different bird species.

Barbuda has a rich history and was once home to Arawak and Carib people. It became a British colony in 1678 and gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, along with Antigua. The island has faced challenges in recent years, including the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma in 2017, which left the island uninhabitable and required the evacuation of its residents to Antigua.

Despite these challenges, Barbuda remains a hidden gem in the Caribbean, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is known for its captivating beauty and friendly local community, making it a unique and memorable destination for visitors seeking a truly Caribbean experience.

Barbuda is known for its pristine beaches and captivating beauty

Barbuda is a tranquil island nestled in the heart of the Antigua and Barbuda archipelago in the Caribbean. It is a tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches, captivating beauty, and rich history. Located about 28 miles north of its larger sister island Antigua, it is a relatively flat island with a large lagoon, salt ponds, and a central village called Codrington.

Barbuda is renowned for its pristine beaches with natural, miles-long stretches of white and pink sand. The most famous beach, Princess Diana Beach, boasts calm, clear blue waters, a beautiful sand bottom, and the occasional appearance of opalescent green turtles, wild horses, and donkeys. The island's beaches offer the perfect setting for swimming, snorkelling, and fishing, with the deep blue Atlantic on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other.

In addition to its captivating beaches, Barbuda is also known for its diverse wildlife and natural habitats. The Magnificent Frigate Bird Sanctuary is home to a diverse array of wild birds, including the unique Barbuda Warbler. The island also boasts lagoons, salt ponds, and reefs, making it a nature lover's paradise.

The beauty of Barbuda lies in its natural and peaceful way of life. It is the perfect destination for those seeking relaxation and a slower pace, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With a focus on sustainable development and a dedication to preserving their natural environment, Barbuda offers a unique and captivating experience for visitors seeking to explore its pristine beaches and enchanting beauty.

The island was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017

The island of Barbuda is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda, a sovereign archipelagic nation in the Caribbean, lying at the conjunction of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Barbuda is approximately 40km from the country's other major island, Antigua, and covers an area of 62 square miles.

In 2017, Barbuda was devastated by Hurricane Irma. The hurricane made landfall on the island on the night of September 6, bringing winds of up to 185mph. The storm caused catastrophic damage, with 95% of buildings and infrastructure on the island damaged or destroyed, including its hospital, schools, and hotels. The island's airport was left inoperative, and water and telecommunication services were disrupted, hampering relief efforts.

The hurricane resulted in one death on the island, that of a two-year-old boy, and an estimated 90% of properties were damaged. The prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, described Barbuda as "barely habitable" after the hurricane. All 1,800 residents of the island were evacuated to Antigua, which suffered only minor damage.

The rebuilding process has been challenging, with few people on the island having house insurance, and many renting their homes. The evacuation has also made the process of rebuilding slower, with residents unable to return to their properties to begin repairs. The recovery effort has been described as piecemeal, with aid agencies and the government facing criticism for the slow progress of reconstruction.

The hurricane also had a significant impact on the island's wildlife. The Codrington Lagoon, home to the largest colony of magnificent frigatebirds in the Caribbean, was inundated by the storm surge. There were also concerns for the island's only endemic bird, the near-threatened Barbuda warbler, which numbered less than 2,000 individuals before the hurricane.

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