 |
Antigua
| Welcome to Antigua and Barbuda: The Heart of The Caribbean! This twin island state is located in the Eastern Caribbean, about 1200 miles southeast of Miami, Florida, United States. |
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The island of Antigua is approximately 108 square miles (280 sq. km.) while Barbuda is about 62 square miles (160 sq.km.). The southwest side of the island has volcanic origins and rises up to 1,319 feet. On the other hand, the north east sides of Antigua are made up of limestone and sandstone. Barbuda is a low-lying island with a peak of approximately 100 feet. The State of Antigua and Barbuda is also made up of the 0.6 square miles (1.6 sq. km) islet of Redonda which is uninhabited.
The climate is tropical and mild. Temperatures range from 240C (760F) to 300C (860F). August and September tend to be the hottest months while January and February, the coolest months. The average rainfall is about 42 inches per year. Rainfall is heaviest during the summer. The overall pleasant year-round climate is maintained by the cool trade winds and low humidity.
The capital, St. John’s, is located on the northwest side of Antigua and is also the island’s main seaport.
POPULATION
Antigua’s population is approximately 78,000 with about 30,000 residing in and around the capital of St. John’s. The population of Barbuda is around 2,000, most of whom reside in the Codrington. Most of the population is of African descent, although there are many persons from British, American, Portugese, Lebanese, and Syrian origins. Many retired Europeans and North Americans have made Antigua their permanent home. Annual population growth is about 1.3 percent.
HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT
Antigua was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, who named the island Antigua, after the Santa Maria La Antigua church in Seville, Spain. The British were the first Europeans to establish a settlement in 1632 and, except for a brief period when the settlement was occupied by the French, Antigua remained a British colony until 1967.
Similar to other Caribbean lands, Antigua was turned into a sugar-producing island. Slaves were imported from African countries until 1838, when slavery was abolished.
Antigua and Barbuda gained its independence on November 1, 1981. Antigua is still a part of the Commonwealth of Nations and the 157th member of the United Nations. It is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Caribbean Common Market (CCM), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.
The system of Government which exists in Antigua, is one of democracy based upon the British Parliamentary system. The Government consists of a Cabinet of Ministers which is headed by the Prime Minister.
CURRENCY
The Currency in use is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar which is linked to the United States dollar at the official exchange rate of US $1.00 = EC $2.67.
TOURISM
Although not the largest island, Antigua has the largest tourist sector in the Leeward and Windward Islands. With the decline of the sugar industry in the 1960's, tourism has been the main contributor to the economy, accounting for about sixty percent (60%) of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). There has been a significant increase in both the number of hotels present on the island and the number of passenger arrivals. Frequent cruise ship arrivals at the St. John's and Deep Water Harbours also play a major part in boosting the tourism industry. The Heritage Quay duty-free shopping complex allows visitors shopping at duty-free prices.
Antigua is a major yachting center and every year hosts one of the world's major yachting competitions. The annual Antigua Sailing Week Competition, which is held at the end of April each year, attracts hundreds of yachts and is a major source of revenue for the tourism industry. The island boasts 365 beaches....one for each day of the year!
|
|
|
