Low-lying and
volcanic in origin,
Antigua & Barbuda form part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean and have certainly adopted the notoriously ‘Caribbean' way of life. This is a place to take things easy, stroll around markets, sip the fresh juices of coconuts and pineapple and meet friendly locals.
Unsurprisingly, Antigua & Barbuda's way of life is governed by water, and any visitor will find that their stay is too.
Nelson's Dockyard in the English Harbour is at the forefront of Antigua & Barbuda's vast
yachting and sailing scene.
Unlikely, but should
you grow weary of Antigua & Barbuda's nautically themed activities, the area also abounds with colorful bird
and
insect life. Barbuda is an unspoiled natural haven for
wild deer and exotic birds and boasts the Frigate Bird Sanctuary. There are also
national parks and
blow holes to discover, including, of course, the
Devil's Bridge, a natural phenomenon crafted by the colliding of Atlantic and Caribbean surf.
Antiguans are proud of their human
history too, especially as it documents their release from colonization, slavery and sugar plantations. This keenness to remember emancipation is apparent as towns proudly proclaim names such as Liberta and Freetown.
GeographyAntigua & Barbuda is made up of three islands; Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. Low-lying and volcanic in origin, they are part of the Leeward Islands group in the northeast Caribbean.
Antigua’s coastline curves into a multitude of coves and harbors (they were once volcanic craters) and there are more than 365 beaches of fine white sand, fringed with palms. The island’s highest point is Boggy Peak (402m/1,318ft) and its capital is St John’s.
Barbuda lies 40km (25 miles) north of Antigua and is an unspoiled natural haven for wild deer and exotic birds. Its 8km- (5mile-) long beach is reputed to be among the most beautiful in the world. The island’s village capital, Codrington, was named after the Gloucestershire family that once leased Barbuda from the British Crown for the price of 'one fat pig per year if asked for'. There are excellent beaches and the ruins of some of the earliest plantations in the West Indies. The coastal waters are rich with all types of crustaceans and tropical fish.
Redonda, the smallest in the group, is little more than an uninhabited rocky islet. It lies 40km (25 miles) southwest of Antigua.
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