1 GeoFroggy

Antigua and Barbuda

Continent: Central America and the Caribbean

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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Background

The Siboney were the first to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak and Carib Indians populated the islands when Columbus landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early settlements by the Spanish and French were succeeded by the English who formed a colony in 1667. Slavery, established to run the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.

Location

Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Area Comparative

2.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Maritime Claims

Contiguous zone: 24 NM

Territorial sea: 12 NM

Exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

Continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate
Tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation

Natural Hazards

Hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts

Environment Current Issues

Water management - a major concern because of limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Geography Note

Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor
Year

Map Reference

  • Central America and the Caribbean

Irrigated Land

  • NA sq km

Area 2002

  • Total
    443 sq km
  • Water
    0 sq km
  • Land
    442 sq km

Coastline

  • 153 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 17 03 N, 61 48 W

Land use 2002

  • Arable Land
    18.18%
  • Permanent Crops
    0%
  • Other
    81.82%

Terrain

  • Mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands
  • With some higher volcanic areas

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
  • Highest Point: Boggy Peak 402 m

Land Boundaries

    0 km

Natural Resources

  • NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
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