Antigua
Antigua - pronounced An-Tee-ga - is an island set in the Caribbean Sea forming one of the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua's romantic history began with its re-discovery in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, who named it for the Santa Mara la Antigua Church in Seville, Spain. Antigua, which is partly volcanic and partly coral, is surrounded by superb white sand beaches which are almost entirely reef-protected. An ideal place for swimming, Antigua offers snorkeling and all forms of water sports year round. Escape even further to Barbuda, 25 miles north of Antigua -- chic, remote and short on hotels but long on seabirds. Investigate one or more of 200 underwater wrecks or enjoy the island's wildlife sanctuaries. The rich and famous find Barbuda especially appealing. Antigua's size is 108 square miles, while Barbuda's size is 62 square miles. Antigua's population is 67,000, and Barbuda's is 1,200.Antigua & Barbuda: Country Profile, General Info And Map
Geography
Located 17 degrees N, 61 degrees W, Antigua is 108 sq mls with low undulating hills, rising slightly in the south. The heavily indented coastline provides many bays & harbours. Highest point is Boggy Peak, 1,319 ft high. Barbuda is a coral island, 62 sq mls and its low lying terrain is covered with shrubs. Visit details of Antigua &...
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The Flag of Antigua and Barbuda
The Flag of Antigua and Barbuda was the creation of Antiguan artist Reginald Samuel and was chosen from over 600 entries submitted in 1967 when Antigua became a State in Association with Great Britain. The flag consist of three colors - yellow (stands for sun), blue (stands for sea) & white (stands for sand). The V-shape is the symbol of victory. Ratio...History of Antigua and Barbuda
Columbus landed on Antigua in 1493. He named it after the church of Santa Maria de la Antigua in Seville, Spain. The British colonized it in 1632, arriving from the nearby island of St. Kitts. There followed brief periods under the Spanish and French, and then a return to British settlement who introduced sugar planting; the industry declined with the...
Antigua Accommodation
There is a 10% service charge & 8.5% government tax at all hotels. NB Porters expect a tip of EC$1 per bag.
There are hotels, resorts and apartments all round the island and more are being built all the time. We have not space to mention them all, this is a selection. The greatest concentration of developments is in the area around St John’s, along the...
Geography of Antigua and Barbuda
Area
170 sq. mi. in total
Antigua - 108 sq. mi (280 sq. km)
Barbuda - 62 sq. mi. (161 sq. km)
Redonda - Less than 1 sq. mi.
Coastline: 83 miles
Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 24 nm
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 12 nm
Sunbathing Claims
One beach for every day of the year!
Location
Eastern Caribbean approx 1200 miles southeast of...
Beaches & Watersports in Antigua
Tourist brochures will never tire of telling you that there are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for every day of the year, some of which are deserted. The nearest beach to St John’s is Fort James which can be pleasant, with its palm trees and a few boulders. However it gets crowded at weekends and at times it becomes rough and so has a milky appearance, lots of...Coat of Arms, Antigua and Barbuda
The Coat of Arms of Antigua and Barbuda was based on a design by Antiguan artist Gordon Christopher, now a Canadian citizen. His original design was slightly modified by the Statehood Celebrations Committee in 1966, hopefully not on the grounds that as a committee it had to be seen to be doing something!
Demographics Of Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda are located along the outer edge of the Leeward islands in the Caribbean Sea. Antigua, the larger of the two main islands, is 108 sq mi (280 sq km). The island dependencies of Redonda (an uninhabited rocky islet) and Barbuda (a coral island formerly known as Dulcina) are 0.5 sq mi (1.30 sq km) and 62 sq mi (161 sq km), respectively. The...Sailing & Yacht Cruises In Antigua and Barbuda
The sailing sport of the year is the well known Sailing Week which now is listed among the 10 largest and best Regattas in the world. The Week starts in late April and draws yachts from all over the world to compete in the races and just generally enjoy the salty, jovial atmosphere that permeates the waters around the island.
Jolly Roger Pirate Cruises
P. O...
Shopping Stores in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua offers the visitor a new world of treasures ranging from fine jewelry, camera equipment, bone china, crystals and perfumes to sea island cotton creations, black coral, shell jewelry, locally produced liquors and imported liquors. Duty free luxury items are available, and prices are generally so drastically discounted that shopping is exciting....
Folklore says Antigua, in the heart of the Lesser Antilles
Folklore says Antigua, in the heart of the Lesser Antilles, has a beach for every day of the year. We haven't counted but, rest assured, there's no shortage of quiet coves and impressive stretches of powder white sand here.
At every corner there's British history dating back to the 1600s when pirates and sugarcane ruled the region. Ruins at Parham, the...
National Anthem
Fair Antigua and Barbuda, we thy sons and daughters stand
Strong and firm in peace or danger to safeguard our native land;
We commit ourselves to building a true nation brave and free,
Ever striving, ever seeking, dwell in love and unity.
Raise the standard! Raise it boldly! Answer now to duty's call
To the service of your country, sparing nothing, giving...
Useful information for visiting Antigua & Barbuda
Local Tourist Office
Antigua and Barbuda Dept of Tourism gives list of official taxi charges and hotel information. Also has an office at airport, will help book accommodation principally at the more expensive resorts. Antigua and Barbuda Dept of Tourism, Box 363, located at Corner of Friendly Alley and Lower Nevis Street, The Ministry of Tourism,...
Travel to Antigua and Barbuda
Required documents: Proof of citizenship (preferably a passport), return/onward ticket and/or proof of funds needed for tourist stay up to 6 months. AIDS test required for university students and others suspected of having HIV virus; Check whether your country's test is accepted. Check Embassy for latest information.
Health
Yellow fever vaccination is...
Organisation of Government of Antigua and Barbuda
Type: Independent Nation - British style parliamentary democracy Date of Independence: 1st November 1981 (from the United Kingdom) Date of Constitution: 1st November 1981 Head of State: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Governor-General: Sir James Beethoven Carlisle C.B.E. Head of government: Prime Minister Capital: St. John's Administrative Subdivision...Ads