About Us  -  Antigua  -  Weather  -  Sailing-Diving-Snorkelling  -  Beaches  -  Places of Interest  -  History  -  Dining Links  -  Eco Focus

Antigua (pronounced An-tee'ga) and Barbuda (pronounced Bar-byew'da) are often referred to as the heart of the Caribbean. A lot of this likely has to do with its location in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean, making it a hub. The largest of the British Leeward Islands, Antigua has warm, steady winds; a complex coastline of safe harbours; and a protective, nearly unbroken, wall of coral reef.

Preceded by Amerindian settlement on island, Christopher Columbus spotted and claimed the 14 mile long x 11 mile wide island for Spain in 1493, beginning a historical narrative that would in time grow to include British ownership, Africans brought to its shores in chains, and ultimately self-rule.

Neither Antigua nor its 68 square mile, sister island Barbuda, lying 30 miles due north, are particularly mountainous. On the former, Boggy Peak, rising to 1319 feet, is the highest point.  Barbuda, meanwhile, is a flat coral island.

The current population for the nation is approximately 68,000, and its capital is St. John's on Antigua.

If you want to take home a superb gift from Antigua, reknowned photographer Alexis Andrews has published a beautiful book full of images of Antigua and Barbuda. Take a look at www.indiancreekbooks.com