Antigua and Barbuda Geography

Antigua and Barbuda key data

Area: 442.6 km², of which Antigua: 280 km², Barbuda: 161 km², Redonda: 1.6 km².

Population: 87,884 (CIA July 2011 estimate).

Population density: 199 residents per km².

Population growth: 1.289% (2011, CIA).

Capital: St. John’s (25,320 residents, 2006).

Highest point: Boggy Peak, 402 m

Lowest point: Caribbean, 0 m

Form of government: a parliamentary monarchy that is a member of the Commonwealth. The constitution dates from 1981, the bicameral parliament consists of a House of Representatives with 17 elected members and the Senate with 17 appointed members. Barbuda has its own council, over which considerable autonomy is exercised. Antigua and Barbuda has been independent from Great Britain since 1981.

Administrative structure: 6 parishes (Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip) and 2 dependencies (Barbuda, Redonda)

Head of Government: Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, in office March 24, 2004.

Head of State: Queen Elizabeth II, represented since July 17, 2007 by Governor General Louise Lake-Tack.

Language: The official language in Antigua and Barbuda is English. The colloquial language, on the other hand, is a patois based on English.

Religion: Anglicans as well as Catholics.

Local time: CET – 5 h.

There is no summer or winter time change in Antigua and Barbuda. The time difference to Central Europe is -5 hours in winter and -6 hours in summer.

Telephone code: +1 (268)

Internet ID:.ag

Mains voltage: 220/110 V, 60 Hz; The flat plugs correspond to the American, two-pole version. An adapter is required. Some hotels have a mains voltage of 240 V, 50 Hz.

Geography of Antigua and Barbuda

The island state of Antigua and Barbuda in the northeast of the Caribbean is made up of the relatively flat islands of Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. They are counted among the so-called Leeward Islands

According to franciscogardening, the main island of Antigua is mainly characterized by limestone formations. This hides the real origin of the island: about 34 million years ago an undersea volcano erupted in the southwest of the island, the remains form today Antigua. Corals covered the volcanic rock with limestone deposits that spread to the northeast. The highest point of Antigua (at the same time of the entire island state) is the 402 m high Boggy Peak. It represents the remnant of the volcanic crater in the southwest of Antigua. The island is cut by numerous, occasionally flowing watercourses, the interior of the island is relatively flat and fertile.

Along the coast there are several excellent natural harbors and bays with wonderful sandy beaches.

The origin of the island of Barbuda (40 km north of Antigua) is also volcanic. Here, however, the highest point is only 44.5 m above sea level. A coral reef stretches along the northwest coast. Barbuda is for the most part still untouched and natural, numerous species of birds live here.

The coastlines of both main islands are very strongly divided by beaches, lagoons and bays that are used as natural harbors. In the vicinity of the islands there are coral reefs and shallows with numerous shipwrecks.

The third largest island in the state is the uninhabited island of Redonda as the remnant of a 296 m high, no longer active volcano. It is located 55 km southwest of Antigua and its surface is rocky.

The natural rain-green wet forests of the islands have been ruthlessly cut down by the English settlers for tobacco and later for sugar cane cultivation since the middle of the 17th century.

Antigua and Barbuda climate

Antigua and Barbuda has a tropical climate. In the coolest months of January and February, the maximum temperatures are 28 ° C and the night minimum temperatures are 22 ° C. In summer from June to August, temperatures reach 30 ° C during the day and around 25 ° C at night.

The annual precipitation is between 900 and 1,150 mm, for the Karabik this is relatively little. Most of the precipitation falls between the end of August / September and November, the driest time is between February and April. The Caribbean hurricane season is between July and October.

Best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is best visited during the cool, dry winter months (mid-December to mid-April). This period is also the high tourist season.