16 Facts About Antigua and Barbuda

The territory of Antigua and Barbuda actually consists of three islands, with Redonda being the third. However, Redonda is actually a tiny rugged, uninhabited rock, the remnant of a volcanic cone only 0.5 square miles (1.3 square km) in size and rising to nearly 1,000 feet (305 m) above sea level, with steep cliffs on all sides.

Antigua is only 22 kilometers (14 miles) long and 18 kilometers (11 miles) wide, covering 281 square kilometers (108 square miles).

Its sister island, Barbuda, is 161 square kilometers in size (62 square miles).

The name "Antigua" means "Old" in Spanish and was given to the island by Christopher Columbus in honor of the Seville Cathedral of Santa Maria La Antigua.

Locals pronounce Antigua "Anti-ga," so you drop the "U," whereas the original Spanish word is pronounced "Anti-gwa."

Because of Antigua's longest period of British colonization, English is the official language.

Volcanic rocks, tropical jungle, and limestones make up the island's terrain.

Antigua and Barbuda have their own currency. Although USD is widely accepted, the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (1 USD=2.70 ECD) is the local currency.

The highest peak in Antigua, formerly known as Boggy Peak, has been named after President Barack Obama.

Cricket is the national sport. Antiguans have produced some of the world's best cricketers, including Sir. Viv Richards, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Sir. Viv Richards is a national hero of Antigua.

Antigua Carnival is one of the year's most important events. Carnival is celebrated in Antigua on the anniversary of its emancipation from slavery, which occurred between the end of July and the beginning of August. It is a ten-day festival with vibrant costumes, live music, and parades. The most important day is "j'ouvert," on which steel and brass bands perform throughout the island.

The largest Frigate Bird Colony in the Western Hemisphere can be found on Barbuda.

The beach in Bermuda is pink.

Fungie (pronounced "foon-jee") and pepperpot are the national dishes.

Antigua has been dubbed the "Land of 365 Beaches" due to the abundance of beautiful white-sand bays along its coastline.

There are no rivers, lakes, or snakes in Antigua, except for the Antiguan racer, a harmless and one of the world's rarest snakes found only on Bird Island off the coast of Antigua.