 Antigua
is the largest of the Leeward Islands
and is considered the "Gateway to the Caribbean".The islands of Antigua
and Barbuda became an independent state within the
British Commonwealth of Nations in
1981. Some 3,000 refugees fleeing a volcanic eruption on nearby
Montserrat have settled in Antigua and Barbuda since 1995. . This
tranquil island is rich in culture and history. Formerly a British
colony, it has retained strong links to British tradition (and is deeply
devoted to the English sport of cricket).
The territory consists of
three islands, of which, one is a small
uninhabited rocky outcrop called Redonda. Of the two main islands
Antigua is composed of volcanic rock, coral and limestone. It has inlets
and bays with rolling hills vegetated with flowering trees while Barbuda
is a flat coral island with a large lagoon on the west side of the
island and has miles of beaches with pink and white sands. Major Cities
(pop. est.); St. John's 22,000
(1991). Although drier than most other Caribbean islands, Antigua and
Barbuda has a tropical climate with low humidity. The islands are
tempered by sea breezes and trade winds. Annual average precipitation is
approximately 1,000 mm (39 inches) and the hot season is between May to
November. Average temperature ranges in St. John's are from 21 degrees
Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees
Fahrenheit) with night temperatures during the cool season falling
between 16 to 18 degrees Celsius (60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit).
 Antigua
was inhabited by the Siboney(stone people)
as far back as 2400BC. The Arawaks lived on this island
between AD 35-1100. Christopher Colombus landed on Antigua in 1493. He
then named this island Santa Maria de le Antigua. Antigua has two
dependencies, Barbuda and (uninhabited) Redonda. In 1674 Sir Christopher
Codrington established the first large sugar estate. Forests were
cleared for sugarcane production and African slaves were brought in. The
slaves were then emancipated in 1834 but economic opportunities were
limited. In 1943 Vere Bird formed the Antigua Labour Party and won the
first of a long series of electorial votes. Antigua was administered as
part of the Leeward islands in 1959, and attained associated status with
full internal self-government. In 1967 Antigua became a member of the
West Indian Association of States and gained control of internal
affairs. Then in November 1981 Antigua and Barbuda, as one territory,
became independent. Vere C Bird became the first Prime Minister and was
in office four times consecutively. Vere Bird retired as Prime Minister
in 1994 where his son succeded him. Lester Bird,the current Prime
Minister, led the ALP party to its ninth out of ten victories.
In recent years tourism has undergone
tremendous expansion, and the island is now popular with
tourists of all types. Antigua is best known for its 365 beautiful
beaches, magnificent dive sites and interesting historical maritime
sites. It is also known as a major Caribbean yachting port.
 Barbuda
is Antigua's sister island although it could not be more different. In
Barbuda you will see a Caribbean island that is unspoiled by tourism and
is renowned for its natural, beaches, sprinkled with pink sand and miles
long. Several resorts dominate the island and offer top-notch cuisine
and luxurious accomodations. The island has the deep blue Atlantic on
one side with wild beaches full of driftwood and shells and the calm
Caribbean sea on the other, perfect for swimming and snorkelling, with
plenty of opportunities to see turtles and many varieties of tropical
fish undisturbed in the turquoise water. The beauty of the island is in
its natural, peaceful way of life - it is not for visitors who are
looking for nightlife or entertainment - it is a place to relax, slow
down, and make your own.
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