26 Facts About Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean nation made up of three islands: Antigua, Barbuda, and the small rocky island of Redonda.

Redonda is uninhabited and was formed from an ancient volcanic cone. It covers about 1.3 square kilometres and rises nearly 300 metres above sea level.

Antigua is roughly 22 kilometres long and 18 kilometres wide, with a total land area of about 281 square kilometres.

Barbuda is much less populated than Antigua but covers around 161 square kilometres.

The name “Antigua” was given by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after the Cathedral of Santa María la Antigua in Seville, Spain.

Locals pronounce Antigua as “An-tee-ga,” while the Spanish pronunciation is closer to “An-tee-gwa.”

English is the official language, reflecting the islands’ long history as a British colony.

The islands are mainly made of limestone and coral, with volcanic hills in the southwest known as the Shekerley Mountains.

The national currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is fixed at a rate of 2.70 to the US dollar.

Antigua’s highest point was once called Boggy Peak and is now known as Mount Obama, rising 402 metres above sea level.

Cricket is the national sport, and Antigua is the birthplace of Sir Viv Richards, one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.

Antigua Carnival is celebrated from late July to early August to mark emancipation from slavery and lasts about ten days.

Barbuda is home to the largest frigate bird colony in the Western Hemisphere, especially around Codrington Lagoon.

Antigua is often called the “Land of 365 Beaches,” symbolizing the many white-sand bays around its coastline.

The national dishes are fungie, made from cornmeal and okra, and pepperpot, a thick meat-and-vegetable stew.

Antigua has no rivers or natural lakes because rainwater quickly drains through its porous limestone ground.

The only native snake is the Antiguan racer, one of the rarest snakes in the world. It is harmless and mainly found on Great Bird Island.

Antigua and Barbuda became independent from the United Kingdom on 1 November 1981.

The capital city is St. John’s, located on Antigua’s northwest coast.

The population is about 100,000 people, with most residents living on Antigua.

The country follows Atlantic Standard Time (UTC −4) and does not observe daylight saving time.

Barbuda was heavily damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017, with more than 90 percent of buildings destroyed or badly affected.

The surrounding coral reefs make the islands popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Redonda was once mined for phosphate during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The national bird is the frigate bird, and the national animal is the fallow deer.

Tourism is the main source of income, followed by financial services and small-scale agriculture.